For the love of art
Art. When we hear that word sometimes our minds jump to framed paintings, sculptures, or museums. Art is anything that can stir an emotion in you.
James Ward is a man whose hands help create a spirit as vibrant as the colors he loves to draft. At the Chattanooga VA Clinic, he wasn't here for a medical appointment; he was here to share a piece of himself. Ward is a Navy Veteran, and for 44 years he has been sketching, painting, and breathing life onto paper. His specialty? Animals and cartoon characters, vibrant creations born from a world often too serious. Today, he was slated to teach a workshop, a drawing class for fellow Veterans.
His journey started young. He can still remember the thrill of receiving care packages from his uncle, a graphic artist whose studio overflowed with discarded treasures. Paints, pencils, and pens, tools that sparked a fire in young Ward. “I started drawing in comic books and I had a good high school art teacher. I would draw Disney characters on handmade dollhouse furniture for my sister,” Ward recalled.
Then came the Navy followed by years of service, where Ward was a world away from the colorful characters he doodled on paper. Yet, even amidst the rigid discipline and the vast expanse of the ocean, the artist in Ward persisted, sketching in the margins of manuals, finding solace in the simple act of creation.
James wanted to do something other than sit around the house, so he decided to start volunteering at the Chattanooga VA Clinic. He thought this would be a great place to do his artwork and chat with Veterans. Each year, VA host its National Veterans Creative Arts Festival and the Chattanooga VA Clinic held its competition at the clinic. This prompted Ward to voluntarily teach a monthly art class at the clinic. The idea was welcomed and once a month Ward met with fellow Veterans who share the same love for art.
“I come here to enjoy myself, relax, and swap stories. I think it’s great that we’ve got Veterans here at the clinic that have a talent and they’re able to give back, but more importantly, it’s just having that camaraderie with other Veterans that might not be able to draw very well,” Ward added with a smile.
As the Veterans started entering the room, Ward’s heart filled with joy. He saw a reflection of himself in their eyes and a flicker of curiosity. James began the class by sharing his story. He talked about his uncle and how he found this love of art, about his high school art teacher, and about the therapeutic power of putting pencil to paper.
Cassandra Lumpkin is a participant of the class. When asked how the art class has helped her, she stated, “It’s so relaxing when I paint and it’s easy to take your mind off of things.”
The room drew quiet with concentration as the scratching of pencils could be heard on drawing paper. As Ward watched, a sense of profound satisfaction brushed over him. It wasn't just about teaching them to draw, it was about offering them a sanctuary, a place to reconnect with themselves and each other.
The power of art is more than lines on paper. It can be a lifeline, a bridge, a way to find beauty and connection in a world that is often too mundane. Ward is happy to share this journey with fellow Veterans. Art, it's about your own personal experience and the meaning you draw from it.
To learn more about Ward’s art workshop or attend a class, contact the Chattanooga VA Clinic at 423-893-6500 ext. 27441. To know more about the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival visit https://department.va.gov/veteran-sports/national-veterans-creative-arts-festival/