Corporal Randy Payne

Earlier this year, CFB/ASU Wainwright commanding officer, Lt. Col. Norm Rochon commissioned me to create a painting that was to memorialize Corporal Randy Payne, the Military Police officer stationed in Wainwright, that was killed in Afghanistan in April, 2006.



Colonel Rochon was specific that he wanted a painting to reflect the bravery and commitment and friendship that Randy Payne had shown to the Wainwright military base.




This wasn't an easy task. I had a number of photographs from Randy's time in Afghanistan, as well as a few candid pictures that I was able to pull from Randy's brother, Chris' website. From this group of photos, I had to paint a specific pose, but find a different photo to do the face (because in the photo of his entire form, his face was covered). Then, I had to take the right photo of his face, but find an entirely different photo for his eyes, because the good face pic, he was wearing sunglasses.
So, I laboured over the painting for many weeks, painting on it, then putting it away, concerned that I was going to have a break down. I was afraid of not having something good enough to give Lt. Col. Rochon as he was leaving his post. This was also an important painting because of Payne's significance to Wainwright and the people who still are here.
The painting was to be a gift from Rochon to all ranks at CFB/ASU Wainwright before he left Wainwright.
So, needless to say, I was concerned.
After some 'gut-check' time, I pushed through all the doubts and managed to finish what I think is a pretty good representation of Randy, plus a solid painting. I was given some freedoms by Rochon to just paint what how I saw Randy, but that wasn't good enough for me, I was positive I had to do this man justice.
Gladly, when it was done and donated to the Jr. Ranks Club in Camp Wainwright, all the responses, including those from military police officers that knew and worked closely with Randy, were very positive.
Can't ask for anything better than that.