MISSION AND HISTORY

It is the Mission of Veterans Art Works to create Art in many forms to attract attention from the community to the needs of our Military and Public Safety Veterans. VAW will work to create opportunities for Vets to meet, interact, network, and help one another in need, and hopefully stop the Epidemic of Veteran Suicide, Domestic Abuse, Addiction, Divorce, Child Abuse, Homelessness, and many other effects of untreated PTSD. We will do this through direct contact, partnerships, and communication. Most importantly Community Awareness, Understanding, and Love.

My name is Patrick Ellis, and I am the Founder and Owner of Veterans Art Works, LLC.

I started VAW Art in 2011 after settling in Concord NC in 2009. I retired from Military Service out of Charleston, SC in 2010. I served 22 years in the US Coast Guard, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer. I was a Boat Coxswain, Law Enforcement Boarding Officer, and Paramedic. My primary rating assignments were Law Enforcement and Search & Rescue. I served another 20 years with the Fire Dept. Fourteen years in South Florida, and Six years in North Carolina retiring as a Firefighter-Paramedic, Captain. I completed my career as a Registered Nurse in 2020.

I have always had a love for the Arts throughout my life. I was always interested in all types of Art and Design from an Architectural Perspective, and planned on pursuing a career as an Engineer and Architect. Additionally, I began my Musical Interest at 8 years old beginning with an after school program for music and guitar lessons. This classical music training continued for the next ten years and continues today. 

Obviously, I never became an Engineer or Architect, as the Military had other plans for me. I truly loved every minute of my 32-year career path. I did enjoy three decades of true adventure, opportunity, and passion for my purpose.

Along with this career choice came some other unexpected and permanent effects. My career included many serious and not so serious injuries requiring many surgeries and countless rehabilitation periods. These injuries have left me permanently and partially disabled in my retirement. Additionally, I have developed some PTSD from a long career full of highs and some very low lows. 

I discovered for myself that my love for the Arts provided me with an outlet for my struggles with PTSD and physical disability. My love for Painting, Sketching, Building, and creating artworks, as well as writing music and playing guitar gave me a release from the stress, anxiety, anger, and sadness. These pursuits literally saved me.

I have been personally effected by Veteran Suicide both in family and with Veterans I served with. I have also worked hundreds of emergency calls for service involving various issues related to Military and Public Safety Veterans. 

I started Veterans Art Works as an outlet for myself, and as a resource for other Veterans like me looking for help. Over the years since starting VAW, I have developed many partnerships with various Veteran Groups dedicated to assisting Vets in need or Crisis. I use some of the proceeds from the sales of my Artworks to donate to these groups and assist Vets with accessing help.

Please enjoy my works and help us help our Vets.