Soldier's artistic touch a gift to unit morale

By Staff Sgt. Ange DesinorDecember 14, 2016

Soldier's artistic touch a gift to unit morale
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado - Sgt. 1st Class Christopher LeDuc, the paralegal noncommissioned officer in charge for 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, starts a new painting during his spare time for one of his Soldiers, November 1... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldier's artistic touch a gift to unit morale
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT CARSON, Colorado - Capt. Shaloe Green, left, the administrative operational attorney for 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, shows Spc. Christian Gmelin, a paralegal specialist for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 64th ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldier's artistic touch a gift to unit morale
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT CARSON, Colorado - Capt. Shaloe Green, left, brigade administrative operational attorney, left, receives a painting from Sgt. 1st Class Christopher LeDuc, brigade paralegal noncommissioned officer in charge, both of 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Te... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT CARSON, Colorado - Many leaders have ways of doing things for others without any expectations - a form of selfless service that quietly boosts morale within an organization.

For one Soldier with 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, the generosity comes in broad strokes.

"Painting is something I enjoy doing," said Sgt. 1st Class Christopher LeDuc, the brigade's paralegal noncommissioned officer in charge. "I am able to escape for a few hours to create an image, an original painting that I can give to a friend, loved one or coworkers. I give it to them with as much enjoyment as it did while creating the painting."

LeDuc spends his weekends painting.

"Since moving here, I haven't painted as much as I would like to," said LeDuc, who is part of a 3rd Brigade that has been busy preparing over the past year for a European Command mission beginning in January.

"With deployment on the horizon, it's understandable. Honestly, when I am painting, it's one of the few times where I can clear my mind of all outside noise and distractions and just focus on the pure enjoyment of painting. The only thoughts are what I want to create, and that usually changes the entire time I am creating a painting."

LeDuc tries to bring the same sense of peace that comes from painting to those he ends up giving his artwork to as gifts.

"I have given my paintings to my Soldiers, friends, family and coworkers and kept none for myself," said LeDuc, as he dips his brush into a cup of water. "One day after retiring, I would love to start a career in art. This will give me a head start by getting my name out there."

Soldiers in 3rd Brigade appreciate the artist's talent.

"One day he will be recognized for his talent," said Capt. Shaloe Green, the 3ABCT administrative operational attorney. "I believe he will gain world-wide experience. He is a genuine person and he takes note of your interests. By doing that, he brings it out through his artwork."

In the process, LeDuc attempts to increase the morale of his peers through his artwork.

"One of the paintings he did for me was of the Buffalo Soldiers," said Green. "It really touched my heart to see that he's creative and very diverse with his creations. The Soldiers, leaders, his peers all stop by his office to admire his work."

LeDuc has always had a love of art - from drawing to tattooing and everything in between.

"I had been away from doing art for several years and wanted to get back to it, and had never tried painting before, so I decided I would give it a shot," he said. "I had found it to be instantly enjoyable, challenging and relaxing all at the same time. I've painted on and off for just shy of two years; about 6 months in total over the past two years."

When LeDuc completes a painting the first thing that comes to mind is what he's learned from his painting, how can he apply it to his next painting and improvements. But he has no expectations when he paints for others except to make them happy.

"When they see them and show admiration for them, I can't say no," he said. "I like seeing my art bring someone else joy and it helps show my art to more people than I would be able to on my own. Eventually after my Army career is done, I would like to do this as a career."