SPUD LIFE
MELISSA MCMAHON
My service dog healed my heart and mind. He helped me laugh and soothed me to sleep with his melodic snoring. When he passed, I felt like I lost part of my soul.
My spouse found me another bulldog (my first dog’s cousin) who is in service training, and we’ve added another bulldog for good measure. My two boys make me laugh and keep me busy, so I dedicated this piece to them. They’re the yin and yang in my life, and we all need balance. The dogs are dreaming (their snoring is music to my ears, soothing me like a lullaby). Hopefully, my piece makes someone laugh. Sometimes that’s what we desperately need. A little joy and a lot more happy memories.
I also included my other favorite things post-deployment: driving race cars and playing the guitar and ukulele.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
MELISSA MCMAHON
Las Vegas, Nevada
U.S. Air Force Veteran
Melissa is from a third-generation military family and she enlisted as a military nurse to fulfill a higher calling to help those who fight for freedom every day. In the service, there were a lot of ups and downs (sometimes more downs) but through Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), she’s found more people like her.
She thoroughly enjoys her “Art and Chat” WWP Peer Support Group where she’s recently been working on sketching and painting with watercolors. She’s also attended WWP Project Odyssey and other retreats, making lifelong friends who support each other and laugh together. She finds that WWP has helped her leave the house more often and participate in more activities even outside of veteran circles.
MEET MORE WARRIORS
JEFF SCOTT
"Art is the most therapeutic thing I’ve found to express my thoughts and feelings. I’d be lost if not for art."
MARK ELLIS
“Art is a huge part of my life. It’s healing and meditative. It’s one of the few things that quiets my brain.”
LAURA BOZEMAN
“My military career depended on precision and attention to detail. When creating art, I can take risks and simply go with the flow.”
HARLEY MEAGLEY
“Art is kind of like going to the skatepark, but I don’t have to leave the house to leave my mind.”
MARCIA MEDINA
“Art helps me stay present — helping me block out intrusive thoughts and put my focus solely on creating art.”
BILL JONES
“Art is a representation of one’s well-being. It’s what made me unique, and everyone brings their own unique perspective to art.”
DANIEL WRIGHT JR.
“If you don’t wanna talk about it, guess what? You can draw about it. And that’s what I use art therapy for.”
PUERTO RICO PSG
“Art is a great provider of peace. It helps us think in new ways to expand our understanding and create room for connection, camaraderie, and healing.”
ANGIE LUPE
“Music and art have always been my life. It helps me heal and I’ve made it my mission to help other comrades heal.”
YOLANDA JONES
“Art is an entire experience. It's not always about what I wanted you to feel. Sometimes it's about what it makes you feel on your own.”
MELISSA MCMAHON
“Art helps me let go and accept things, even when I make mistakes. It’s learning to roll with life because there are so many things I can’t control.”
