This is a story about my father, John Melillo, a retired Vietnam Combat Veteran surviving and coping with severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder through art.
The Vietnam War was a very traumatic experience for my father. After retiring, he began to experience extreme PTSD. When it became overwhelming, he turned to painting and drawing for solace. His journey started with painting from photos he took while on tour in Vietnam. He found a great deal of healing in creating art from the pictures he took in a far-away land, a long time ago.
The clinical term for what my father is doing is “Prolonged Exposure”. The objective is to gradually approach trauma-related memories and feelings and learn that they are not dangerous, or need to be avoided. The longer he faces the source of his trauma head on, the less traumatic it becomes. Focusing on creating colors, shapes, lights and darks, gives him a new world of positive experience. In addition, he is finding that he has a creative ability, and he calls this stage of his life a “rebirth” and his “third act”.
16″ x 20″ – Oil on Ply Wood
John Melillo’s Vietnam Journey is reflected in his 7-part oil painting series called “Life Goes On”.
He would like to share the stories behind two of his paintings from this series. The first, is “In Remembrance of Chris”:
“Chris was from Texas. He was 19 years old with a wife and kid. I broke him into his duties in country. One day in formation, the desk sergeant was sick so they asked who was senior man to take his place. I was, but you’d rather be on patrol instead of handling everyone’s complaints and the radio. Chris took my place on that patrol. It took about 4 minutes for me to get down to the police station. The first call that came in was that Chris was killed in action. I painted “In Remembrance of Chris” from a black and white photograph of the patrol Chris would have been on that day. It was a patrol that we all took. Because of the nature and situation, I decided to paint it in black and white. I chose wood as a medium, simply because I felt it represented the style and mood I wanted to paint. So, I painted this picture to share with the world and remember Chris.”
11″ x 14″ – Oil on Linen Canvas
John would also like to share the story behind “The Caretaker”.
“In extreme situations like Vietnam, you have casualties. But on a lighter side, daily life must still go on. I found this woman. We called her The Caretaker. She stepped up, did a wonderful thing and took in orphans that lost their parents on both sides of the War. This is a Vietnamese orphanage out in the jungle that didn’t get much traffic. As you can see, the kids are smiling, well fed, and dressed. This woman made life for them meaningful. It struck me as amazing and I wanted to immortalize her and that situation. Even though it was extreme, life was still going on there in a very unique way.”
14″ x 18″ – Oil
In addition to painting images from his Vietnam experience, John has turned to subject matter from his Eastern Long Island upbringing, as well as all the activities he enjoys there today.
“Discovering the wonder and beauty of Long Island now as I did when I was young is amazing. I feel almost EUPHORIC seeing those images translate into paintings.
I have found so much additional healing not just painting my family heritage, but what I experience today as I revisit those memories. What is important is the fact that I am still an active Eastern Long Island participant. I am an avid fisherman twelve months of the year with my daughter, sailing at daybreak and nighttime on all of Long Island’s open waterways. We also visit farm stands, vineyards, beaches, pine barren parks, and travel the North and South Forks. These adventures provide a wealth of material to paint. My paintings are a reflection of my journeys: through Southampton, Shinnecock, Hampton Bays, Sagaponack, Sag Harbor, North Sea, North Fork Gold Coast, Mattituck, Orient Point, Montauk, Riverhead, Moriches Inlet, Center Moriches, etc.”
11″ x 14″ x 3/4″ – Oil with Course Pumice on Cotton Canvas
“What a wonderful way to appreciate the beauty of Long Island. To be on a boat at dawn and see the many unique sunrises. You can even catch sight of a whale. Dolphins and seals playing, turtle’s coming to lay their eggs, Sunfish and various large sharks are common occurrences.”
There is no greater reward than to experience this art journey with my father and see him continue to heal.
Thank you to all the soldiers past and present, you are a continued inspiration.
John’s Instagram @artfeelingsjm / www.artfeelingsjm.com
We are grateful for all your interest and support.
14″ x 18″ – Oil on Cotton Canvas
Donna Ferrara-Sherry says
What a heartwarming tribute to Dad. His subjects are so diverse but also so personal and inspiring. xoxoxo
Patty Mathes says
I enjoyed John’s story and narrative art so much. Thank you for sharing your important story. The Arts are a healing gift in many ways. I help to facilitate an on line book club called “The Joys and Fears of Aging.” Several members of the group are in their 90’s and have various forms of dementia. All are involved in creative arts. They often speak of how creativity aids them to continue their thought processes in an unbreakable way. They enjoy that they are able to begin their work where they left the day before and continue to see growth today. They also enjoy having conversations about their work. All their dialogs whether internal or external are extremely meaningful.
Katherine Galbraith says
My husband and I just returned from our small town Memorial Day Service, and when I opened my email, this loving, thoughtful, and very appropriate essay was there. Thank you, for honoring your father, and for his service to our country. His artwork is quite beautiful, deep with feeling and experience.
Mary Beard says
Beth, Thanks so much for writing this. I was in a hurry when I read my emails today, but stopped to read yours because it was Memorial Day. I am so glad I did. I was so moved by the paintings and the “wounds” that his service left in him. I am so grateful to him for his service and the service of all the troops. My Dad was in Iwo Jima and it left some “scars” on him, also. But they made it possible for me to have the free life I have today. I am so happy he has found painting to help…. what a wonderful way to find some peace.
PLEASE tell your Dad that I am so impressed with his work, and the heart he has that has made him care.
I am a painter, also, and I know the time painting can be magical.
Mary
Nikki Davidson says
This was the first thing I read today, Memorial Day. I’m blessed to have seen this and applaud John for sharing this heart touching story. I am an artist who has suffered from PTSD since 1995 and I can relate to the healing powers of art. In fact the majority of my students suffer from one kind of trauma or another and we all know that the “studio” is the place we come to heal.
Thanks so much John, you’re awesome!
Whitney Brock says
What a wonderful story!! THANK YOU John for your service and your beautiful art!! This is very inspiring as I have 2 sons currently in the army, one is doing his second tour, and came back kinda messed up from Afghanistan. He took up wood burning and finds a state of peace while doing so.
Thank you again.
Angie Poston says
I really appreciate this article and the way it shows the advantage of painting to help with feelings that need to be released, by expressing them in a beautiful way through art. A talented artist showing beauty in both a rather trying war time up through current scenes form enjoying life’s experiences. Thank you for sharing this story in time for us to enjoy it on Memorial Day.
Annie Compton says
thank you for sharing your dad’s experiences and his art work … well done! The work is…thoughtful personal and profound
Leslie Carone says
Thanks so much, Beth, for sharing this article and your Dad’s work with us. He is a true artist, one who shares his soul through his paintings. This was a perfect Memorial Day read – please let him know how much his service is still appreciated.
Anne Marie Kratz says
This is a meaningful tribute to your dad and all the soldiers past and present – thank you for your service and for sharing this story. Tiny bits to vast amounts of emotion can be seen in many artists’ work. I am glad that your dad has found creating art as a way to heal from trauma. You have inspired me. Thank you.
Florine Duffield says
good feel story about a damaged soul. We don’t need to be our traumas – we are more than that. I suffer from PTSD from childhood trauma. Painting is one of the few pain-free zones…keep up the great work. Hugs
joyce l snyder says
Your entire journey filled me with great empathy for all the men that have fought wars for us. Your story, in particular, reaches through your wonderful art everyone that can see. The way you portray the woman and orphans and her story of “goodness” among all the bad says there is hope for us all. Thank you for your service STILL.
Virginia and Frank says
John’s artistry is full of emotion and healing. He has faced his challenges and put them on canvas to tell his story. Frank can identify with John’s Viet Nam Series, being he is a Viet Nam combat veteran. Seeing these paintings enabled Frank to see a different perspective of the war. He was able to see the human side , something he was unable to see before John’s art!
Thank you John and Beth for bringing an important message to all military veterans and their families. Art is medicine for the soul,Let the healing begin!!
We look forward to seeing more of John’s Long Island series and any other works available.
Marko Marino says
Very touching. I am a Vietnam aged non-veteran, but in spite of the fact that I did not have to be there and experience first hand, I have been touched by the experiences of the many my age who did. I have seen the pain and horror in the faces of many my age and how they had changed. War is war. No matter where or when it affects entire generations. I am glad that John has found expression and some healing in visual art. This is a statement about how important art is in our lives. It is first, from and for the artist.