VR-55's Sistine Stairwell - painting of mural by airman Brian Bose aboard aircraft carrier - Brief Article

All Hands, March, 2001

Dewar

Fleet Logistics Squadron (VR) 55's ladderwell may not be the Sistine Chapel, but Airman Brian Bose is honing his artistic skills to give Michelangelo a run for his money. Mounted on a ladder, secured by ropes and pulleys for safety, Bose is hand-painting an intricate six-by-seven foot mural in the commanding officer's ladderwell.

"It shows the variety and diversity of the squadrons personnel, with the aircraft as the center piece," explained Bose. "I wanted to depict that we go all around the world providing support to the fleet, and I like the look of old world maps so I based the map design on the 1642 Mercator map. I started with that idea and it just evolved and got it's own life from there."

Bose came up with the design late one night while working night-check at the coffee mess. "There's not a whole lot to do, so I brought in my sketchbook," he said. "I heard master chief was looking for something to put by the coffee mess, so I volunteered to come up with the design."

"I was surprised when I saw his design. It was so good," said VR-55 Command Master Chief Scott Kay. "But it was much too elaborate for the coffee mess, and I didn't want it on an outside wall where it could get damaged. It's great work, and much more appropriate near the quarterdeck."

Artistic ventures are nothing new to the 24-year-old Staten Island native. "I actually had a Disney scholarship to art school," Bose said. "Unfortu-nately I lost it due to a late term paper that dropped my grade point average.

Without the art scholarship, Bose started seriously considering his other dream in life -- joining the Navy. "I pretty much always wanted to join the Navy," said Bose, who enlisted 16 months ago and has been with VR-55 since January. "I love being in the service, and it will help me pay for art school. I definitely plan on staying in the Navy, but I'd also like to do this for a living too," he said, nodding toward his artwork on the wall.

VR-55 is giving him the opportunity to do both.

A month into the mural project, Bose said it should be complete soon. "It's almost done, but the days are getting shorter and I'm losing light earlier. It should be done in a couple of weeks."

Referred to as the "Sistine Stairwell" by many VR-55 Sailors, Bose's work has made an impression on many. "He gets compliments on it all the time," said Kay. "It tells a story, shows what we do, and everyone loves it."

Dewar is a staff writer for Naval Air Reserve Point Mugu public affairs office.