Mikey V’s Animal Portraits

My Story

I am a disabled veteran who retired after more than 24 years in the U.S. Air Force.  I am most proud of my military career.  I was deployed in the war effort three times in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM and DENY FLIGHT.

--Press Source

I’ve never considered myself much of an artist, but I have always had a passion for the arts.  Mostly, I just played around with my art ability.  My desire took off over the last two decades when my focus was in multimedia design for the U.S. government while stationed at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.  I had the pleasure of creating the first digital portrait of a former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin E. Dempsey.  Some of the other things I’m proud of include making the arrangements at a Presidential Inauguration Dinner for the presentation of the Medal of Honor Society members; creating the display of drawings I did of all the Directors of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, past and present; and designing five of the Military Challenge Coins for the past five Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  In 2012, I was presented the Spirit of Excellence Award by Leon Edward Panetta, then the Secretary of Defense.

--Press Source

Today, my favorite projects are “Mikey V’s Animal Portraits,” “NSide Out” and “Second Chance.” With a passion for animals and a desire to help the animal Welfare League of Alexandria, Virginia, “Mikey V’s Animal Portraits” allows me to inject new ideas on how I see animals artistically.  “Inside Out Tees” will be my first move toward creating my own brand of t-shirts.  And finally, as a non-profit entity, “Second Chance,” I plan to help the local halfway house in support of recently paroled individuals.

--Press Source

“NSide Out is raising funds for the non-profit Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.  The AWLA was not involved in approving, creating or implementing this activity.  AWLA will not publicize these events/products.”