Newtown Artist Paints for Fallen Connecticut Soldier

The flagpole at the center of Newtown has flown half-staff in honor of Capt. Andrew Pedersen-Keel of Madison. Local artist Jim Chillington painted this scene, which he presented to the funeral home handling Capt. Pedersen-Keel's services.

Chillington wrote this message to accompany the work:

"Dear Family and Friends of Captain Andrew Pedersen-Keel, please know that we are grieving your loss here in Newtown.  After the recent tragedy in Sandy Hook I felt the need to be out in the local landscape creating paintings of our beautiful town.  On 3-13-13, I set out for my 5th local landscape painting, a 2' x 6' canvas in hand and heading for one of our towns most recognizable sights 'The Flagpole' that stands tall on the crest of a rise in the center of Main Street in the center of Historic Newtown.

When I saw the flag again at half staff I immediately thought about the 26 lives lost here. It wasn't until later that day I learned about the man that was killed defending our freedom far from home in Afghanistan.  The painting is now complete on the 11th day under half-staff and hope it will tell of a great man, 28 years of age, that gave his life on 3-11-13  serving the people of this great country in protecting the freedoms we enjoy as well as the lives lost here in Newtown on 12-14-12 ."

For more of Chillington's work, visit his website.