posted 05-25-2026 12:46 PM
On May 25, 1961, twenty days after Alan Shepard flew the first sub-orbital mission of the Project Mercury, President John F. Kennedy went before Congress to challenge the nation: "I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth." He framed the Moon mission not merely as a scientific endeavor, but as a symbol of freedom and national resolve in the context of the Cold War. Creating a painting illustrating the emotion of this speech became a life long goal.
I was only four and a half years old. By the time I was 12 we had achieved Kennedy's promise. Growing up during this time made me believe that anything was possible.
I started working on this painting in 2016 after the passing of John Glenn. The first version showed the Mercury Monument at the Cape with seven helmets surrounding a Mercury Program emblem. In 2020, during the pandemic shutdowns I began working on individual portraits of President Kennedy and the seven Mercury Astronauts that evoked the style of Norman Rockwell.
It took until 2026 to finally complete, with a decade of thought and passion to create an image that honors the heroes of my childhood.
Today, 65 years from Kennedy's address to Congress, I present to you: "The Knights of Camelot."
I am proud to announce that I have teamed with Max K. Kaiserman and his team at
Luna Replicas to offer this for sale. They will be the only authorized vendor.
posted 05-25-2026 12:46 PM
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