Tuskegee Airmen by Andrew J. Woodstock

My passion for flight and love of aviation history lead me to create a painting that is both aviation inspired and historically significant. It honors a group of brave men who truly made a difference in the history of our country- The Tuskegee Airmen. These young men were a dedicated and determined group who enlisted during World War II as America’s first black military airmen. Despite adversity, they rose at a time when segregation was still a part of everyday life in America and our armed services. My goal was to not only honor these pilots as a group, but also each man on a personal level. I tried to capture the unique characteristics of each face and allow my audience to connect with each man through his eyes- the windows to the soul. I hope my work gives the viewer an understanding of the historical significance the Tuskegee Airmen hold in U.S. military history. As they destroyed the enemy, they also destroyed the belief that a man should be judged by the color of his skin.