Red Dirt Diaries: Traveling Artist Paints American Flag To Honor Veterans

It's the ultimate sign of patriotism in our country.

Now, one artist hopes the American flag will bring attention to those who fought so bravely defending it.

On Sunday, Scott Lobaido’s cross-country mural painting project made a stop in Shawnee.

“I'm painting a rendition of what I call the greatest work of art,” Lobaido said about the American flag.

The idea of showing patriotism through paint came to Lobaido in the 1990s.

“I going to bring that baby back to life,” Lobaido said about first being inspired to paint the American flag.

His hope is to now bring life to Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts by covering 50 of them in 50 states with a waving American flag mural.

“So (when) people drive by and they take a second look at the flag and understand what it stands for and what it means, but also who hangs out in these buildings,” Lobaido said.

The New York native used a crayon to outline the flag on the American Legion post in Shawnee and then filled it in with brushes.

“I hope he gets recognized for what he’s doing,” said American Legion post member Jim Comrey.

Lobaido believes it’s the veterans who deserve the attention.

“Give them the parade and pomp and circumstance that they don’t ask for,” Lobaido said about the motivation behind his work.

Oklahoma was number 42 of 50 murals Lobaido will paint. He started in February.

His next stop is Arkansas.

Click here to see more of Lobaido's work.