Steve Alpert transitioned from a career in television production to painting full-time. His first paintings were landscapes offering a feeling of tranquility giving him a sense of freedom which led him to reflect on the gratitude he feels for those fighting for that freedom.

Although Alpert never served his country in uniform, he has found a way of showing his gratitude through his art.

I believe my military paintings are the cornerstone of my collection. These pieces aim to raise awareness about the sacrifices made by those in the U.S. Armed Forces. And they have enabled me to give back through donations of my artwork to causes supporting the military. Alpert’s path to creating his first military painting is filled with vivid memories. He recalls a major meltdown in the summer of 1985, triggered by a visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., an experience fraught with haunting flashbacks of the Vietnam War, the draft and the civil rights protests of the day. The experience emotionally drained him yet planted a seed of inspiration that remained dormant until September 11, 2001, when he committed to becoming a professional artist. In 2003, he began creating Blackhawk helicopter paintings.

Alpert’s first Blackhawk paintings came after news broke in November 2003 involving a collision of two Blackhawk helicopters over Northern Iraq. When a friend purchased one of these pieces for his godson, a retired Blackhawk pilot, Alpert immediately saw the purpose of his art as giving back. More paintings followed, each with a backstory.

Duty, Courage, Honor

Alpert learned about a Carry Team whose mission was to bring the remains of soldiers to Dover AFB where they were brought to the mortuary and prepared for their journeys home. Alpert’s painting of this event is now in the permanent collection at the Air Mobility Command Museum in Dover, Delaware.

Alpert also recalls visiting the Walter Reed Hospital, where he met wounded veterans, an experience that solidified his resolve to continue creating military art. It was here he learned about Fisher House, an organization that builds homes on VA hospital grounds for families visiting their injured loved ones. He reached out to Fisher House, a collaboration that has continued to the present, some 20 years later.

In addition to painting, Alpert participates in veteran marches and sends care packages to service members, one of which led to a thank-you letter containing photos from Iraq, inspiring him to create paintings reflecting veteran life.

Among those images, one striking portrait of a Sergeant stood out for him, leading to the creation of Portrait of a Soldier, a powerful representation of any soldier ever engaged in combat.

Legacy

Portrait of a Soldier led Alpert to another significant project, Legacy. This painting depicts soldiers from eight different eras of the U.S. Army and was inspired by Alpert’s collaboration with Jan Scruggs, the founder of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation. This painting inspired the stage play The Steadfast by Mat Smart, exploring the impact of war on soldiers.

Alpert sees his own journey depicted in Legacy, reflecting his evolution as an artist. He chronicles this journey in his book, Worth Fighting For: The Path of a Patriot, co-written with Gary Cohen. He also published Proudly She Served: Celebrating Women in Uniform, showcasing women from all branches of the U.S. Armed Services who embody courage and selfless service. The book was a companion to the Proudly She Served project, a collaboration with former Naval Aviator, Linda Maloney.

The Full Honors Series

In his Full Honors Series, Alpert created seven paintings inspired by his visit to Arlington National Cemetery where he met Deputy Command Chaplain Matt Canada. The series captures Canada officiating at a funeral ceremony before leaving the Old Guard of the First Infantry Division and is now on permanent display at the Pentagon in the form of large-scale prints.

Alpert’s work may also be found in: the National Museum of the United States Marines in Quantico, VA; the Naval War College in Newport, RI; the Air Mobility Command Museum at Dover AFB; and the International War College in Washington, D.C. Recently, he was nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Distinguished Citizen Award. This November, Alpert travels to Thionville, France, where he will present his painting of General Eisenhower, D-Day+1, at the 80th anniversary of liberation by the 90th Infantry Division. He also recently completed Gold Star; a painting created for a fundraiser benefitting the Children of Fallen Patriots.

Alpert’s artwork has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for veteran service organizations, with the major beneficiaries being Fisher House and the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation. Additionally, Alpert serves as an Adjunct Professor at Fordham University, where he leads a painting workshop for veterans.

Alpert’s commitment to continue this work is unwavering. The gratification he receives from showing his support of veterans goes beyond anything he ever imagined. And the gratitude expressed by those viewing his work is often described as an important part of the healing process for countless military personnel. Alpert’s paintings may be seen on his website, stevealpertart.com.

Photography credits

Photo of Steve Alpert by Maria Reeves Hayes

Photos of Steve’s paintings by Gary Mamay.