Painting Sgt. Ryan Knauss
Army Staff Sergeant Ryan Knauss was a special man from my hometown of Knoxville Tennessee, and although I did not know him personally, I feel like I got to know him through the process of creating this painting.
He was one of 13 U.S. officers who lost their lives in the bombing of Kabul International Airport in August of 2021.
He was survived by his wife, relatives, friends, and many others including members of the Knoxville Police Department, who reached out to me and asked if I would help them honor his memory.
Of course, I was honored to do so and I started working on the portrait as soon as possible. I was so overcome with the emotion of this loss of life, and with sympathy for his family, that I didn't stop until the painting was completed.
When the painting was mostly complete I knew there was still something missing. I wanted to incorporate a 3D element into the painting. So, I got in touch with a local military supply, Greene Military, and they were ready to help me get the medals I needed for the memorial portrait. I took the painting with me to the store so we could map out the placement of the medals.
As I was driving to the store with a life sized painting of Ryan Knauss in my passenger seat, I was struck by the fact that every flag pole in our town was flying at half-mast to memorialize this tragedy. I started to tear up as I drove, and couldn't help but talk to Ryan, strapped into the seat next to me. I told him that all of this was for him: this is the love and the honor that Knoxville feels for him. I told him that he will be remembered and he will be missed.
It was one of the most surreal moments I’ve ever experienced, and I couldn't have been more proud to take this war hero down the streets of his hometown.
The men at the military store were so helpful in explaining Ryan's medals to me. They found every medal he had earned, including his purple heart: an honor given to him for his ultimate sacrifice.
This project from start to finish took 3 full days, and the police department was so grateful for my willingness to create this memorial portrait.
I was invited to the Knoxville Police Headquarters to present the painting to the officers and the police chief. I also did a news interview with WVLT to help bring awareness of Ryan’s sacrifice along with WBIR.
The Knoxville Police gave the painting to Ryan Knauss’ family and I asked that the funds for the commission to instead be given to the family. It was so special to have the chance to create this painting for the community, I hope that having this piece of Ryan will help the family to heal. Ryan’s words from highschool are permanent in my mind: “A role model is anyone who stands up to power to help others.”