Omaha Beach
Paul Gavin, Ink & watercolor, 1984

Original ink & watercolor available for purchase.

Prints available by special order.

War and Memory

On June 6, 1944, the world held its breath as over a half-million men from all over the world converged on 65 miles of the Omaha Beach, coast to free Europe from Hitler's grip. In 1984 I felt the need to be there for the 40th Anniversary of D-Day, and painted throughout France for the month of June.

June 10th was my birthday. A tradition had been established to spend my birthdays on the beach, so that day I returned to Omaha Beach and painted the eerily quiet scene above one of the bunkers.