Norm Oliphant wanted to be an artist and told his dad so. His dad’s response was, “You’ll starve to death.” He wasn’t being unsupportive of his son’s dream, just practical as it was the Depression and no one had money for art. Soon another major event came along that made Norm once again have to set aside this dream, World War II.
Norm served with the Navy’s Seabees and was attached to the Marines. He island hopped in major battles throughout the Pacific, seeing and experiencing horrific action. He would be wounded twice and received two Purple Hearts.
Returning home after his service, a demanding career and raising a family left Norm with little time for much else. Finally in the early 1980’s when he retired, he set his eyes on painting. He entered a contest and won! Part of the winning prize was art supplies.
‘Nature’: Mountain Goats defy nature seeking water at high altitude. Eagles attack them (especially the young) sadly some will fall trying to protect them selves. The eagles eat their prey’
11×14 Acrylic on Canvas Board
by Norman Oliphant
Yet again though, he had setbacks in pursuit of his passion. The fumes from the oil paints in the prize package affected his lung (he lost a lung in the war) and then he lost his beloved first wife. Fast forward three decades later and Norm is out helping his neighbor with her yard work. They get to talking about art and his past, and she says come into the house to my studio. She introduces him to acrylic paints and water colors.
Finally a talent that lay dormant for over 70 years came to the surface. Now at 96, Norm is producing incredibly beautiful pieces of art. If you visit Facebook, you need to go to his page to view his some of his work: https://www.facebook.com/norman.oliphant.3.
Thank you Norm for your service and sacrifice for our country and thank you for the happiness that you bring us with your art.
~ Brad Hoopes is preserving the stories of veterans. For more veterans’ stories visit www.rememberandhonor.com for the recent book, “Reflections of Our Gentle Warriors”