George Turnbull, professor emeritus of communication design from 1979 to 1993, was inspired to create this watercolor of the American flag following the events of Sept. 11, 2001. After making the print into Christmas cards, Turnbull got quite a response.

In addition to the people who purchased prints to display in their homes, former first lady Barbara Bush received the card and has selected one of the full-size prints to “proudly place” in the George Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University.

One of Turnbull’s former students at CSU, Long Beach, Greg Erickson, also received the card. His wife, Elise, showed it to her boss, the president of Bellevue Community College, who arranged to have the college purchase a print to be hung as the centerpiece of a memorial wall in one of their new buildings. Erickson’s comment about the painting: “It’s the most significant statement we’ve seen about that event. Artistically, it underscores what George always taught in his classes … the importance of concept in a work of art.”

Turnbull has been painting since 1954, when he began his fine arts education. Painting took a back seat as he pursued a career in graphic design and education. After retirement, he returned to his first love of painting.

Lisa Kirk