American Legion Post 109
Official Unveiling Ceremony during Veteran's Day Celebration at
American Legion Post 109 in Corona, AZ
When opportunity comes knocking, one has to accept, no matter how large or how small the job is. One and a half years ago, Michelle Rouch was offered to paint a mural rendition of an F-4E Thunderbird in flight in American Legion Post 109 in Corona, Arizona. Her neighbor, Thomas Andrews, Vice President of Tucson Airport Authority, now retired, would not take no for an answer. He had more faith in Michelle’s ability, than she had within herself. She consistently answered him, "Tom, I work in inches, not in feet!" He responded, "Well, this is your opportunity to figure it out and you have a lot of time. The new building is due to be complete in a couple of years and the American Legion would be honored to show your artwork." Time was on her side and she needed all the time to collect her thoughts and nerves. She often thought, "What have I gotten myself into now."
After accepting the challenge and she sought the advice from her colleagues at American Society of Aviation Artists. ASAA fosters artists to come together and share their ideas and interests in documenting aviation and aerospace history. The settings at the forums allow the artists to engage in conversation share their life experiences. Gerry Asher encouraged Michelle that she can take this project on and offered her advice how to keep the cost under control. John Stahr suggested airbrushing techniques, but she declined in trying a new medium, but his advice in masking, masking, masking was the key in keeping the lines clean. The best advice came from Keith Ferris, who offered his suggestion in the proper angle.
Michelle’s husband, Fotios Rouch offered to help out and built a Thunderbird model that is parked right outside the American Legion Post 109. This model offered Michelle the flexibility in studying multiple angles of the aircraft, until the right one with all of Keith Ferris’s suggestions was met.
Best Angle
Inspired by Robert McCall’s on how to implement a mural designs at ASAA Annual Forums, she knew that she needed to paint a study in order to work out any kinks. It had been 26 years since Michelle had worked with Acrylic paints. By mid spring 2008, the study was complete and she was ready to start the mural.
Mural Study
The F-4 Phantom II Society (http://www.f4phantom.com/) paid Tucson a visit in Oct 2008 to celebrate its 50th Anniversary. The Phantom II convention, better known as PhanCon is an annual event and often comes to Tucson, AZ, who has one of the largest collections of Phantoms around. One of the highlights was the Phantom functional check flight at Davis-Monthan AFB, as well as seeing the ramp full of flight ready Phantoms. During their PhanCon 08 tour at AMARG, they were postponed due to the filming of Transformers right smack in the middle of the boneyard. Tim Horn offered Fotios and Michelle Rouch a personal tour in January 2009 and he explained the the film crew were performing donuts and what looked like they were tearing up the place, but when they were done, they cleaned up very well and left no trace.
Our friend, Jack Callaway arranged at PhanCon 08 for Michelle to speak at American Legion Post 109. After speaking with 100’s of enthusiasts there was no backing down on the project now. To keep the subject light during her brief presentation, she shared her journey on the progress of the mural and also her experience with the folks that the last time she painted the most magnificent murals when she was 3 years old, but was rudely interrupted by her mother when she took away her crayons. The Boy Scout Troop 739 also participated in the PhanCon 08 festivities and enjoyed having an all American lunch at the Legion.
Lunch with PhanCon 08 and Troop 739
Colonel Charles Barbin "Chuck" DeBellevue, a retired officer in the USAF, was a guest speaker during the PhanCon 2008 Dinner. Colonel DeBellevue became the first flying ace pilot of the Air Force Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) during the Vietnam War in 1972. He has a total of six MiG kills, which is the most earned by any US aviator during the Vietnam War.
Michelle Rouch and Colonel Chuck DeBellevue
By mid-October 2008 the building was ready, the Michelle was anxious but feeling cold feet. After all said and done she is glad to have donated her time to paint the mural and thanks the American Legion Post 109 for the opportunity and for the color guard in raising the money for the art supplies and material. Michelle Rouch would like to thank ASAA for their support, and recognize Gerry Asher, John Stahr, and Keith Ferris for their advice and encouragement. Michelle especially would like to thank her family for their tireless support and being there every step of the way.
Mural Unveiling Ceremony with Ray Carroll, Pima County Supervisor,
guest speaker and friends of the Rouch Family
The mural is dedicated in memory of her best friend, Victoire Vickroy, who gave her the strength and courage to take on this project. She was born on Veterans Day, November 11, 1959. May her wings carry her forever.
Progress of the Mural at the American Legion Post 109.
First Week
Mural In Progress
Mural Nearly Done
