Artist takes unique path with interest in military

Thirty-year-old artist Richard Davis, a resident of Bangor, Maine, spent the early part of his life hoping to follow in the footsteps of his father, a career soldier and veteran of the Viet-nam War.
Even after Davis experienced a generalized tonic-clonic seizure at age of 13, he thought his future would be one of serving in the military. He never thought that epilepsy would put an end to his hopes of a career in uniform. But that was exactly what happened.
“In 1985 when I wanted to serve, I couldn’t,” he recalls. “I was really upset.
”However, Davis soon realized other avenues were open to him. And perhaps the most important of his talents is his knack for finding an alternate means to achieve his goals.
“I chose to serve in a way that would let me use my talent for my country,” he said.
Davis’ lifelong dream took a turn from camouflage to canvas, as he began using artistic talents he’d cultivated earlier.
One of his first projects was a series on the Vietnam War for the Pentagon. That series and a number of his other works show his respect for his father’s sense of duty and his own respect for those who serve this country.
He has developed five major projects for Texas Instruments, a major computer company that builds components for U.S. military aircraft. Among the projects were recruitment posters, mini-posters, and a design used by a Navy aircraft team in developing a self-guided missile.
The artist recently completed a painting of the U.S. Capitol titled, “Freedom, Peace, and Liberty,” which was displayed during the presidential inauguration in January. The painting was also briefly on display at the gallery of Very Special Arts in Washington, D.C., which features artwork by people with disabilities.
A recent increase in the frequency of his seizures has now forced Richard Davis to try new antiepileptic medications and even consider the option of surgery.
But he says his live has been an ongoing struggle with epilepsy, and this time will probably be no different. “I’m sure it will all come out all right.”