A local artist has used his talents to raise awareness about veterans suffering from mental illness and those who have committed suicide. His work helps families move on and highlights the importance of checking in on loved ones.
Six days a week, Michael Thomas works at She Brews Coffee, meticulously designing each and every brushstroke.
“I’m depicting a resurrection,” he said.
He enjoys creating works that depict moments captured on canvas with realism, and one of his works captured a lifetime of memories.
“I truly believe that if he had spoken up, we could have helped him,” Thomas said.
In April 2023, Army veteran Christopher Fuentes took his own life.
“After he came home from the war he was never the same person,” his mother, Catherine O’Connell, said.
In June 2024, the Fuentes family received a gift from Thomas: a hand-painted portrait of their son.
“Our daughter once said, ‘A soldier only lives twice: once when he dies the first time and once when he’s forgotten,’ so it hits home but we’re going to keep them alive as long as we can,” O’Connell said.
That sense of loss is one that O’Connell can understand all too well.
“We both lost our sister to suicide five years ago, so this is a tragedy, but I think for veterans and anyone who suffers from mental illness, we just need to shine a light on this issue and make sure it’s not forgotten,” she said.
Thomas wanted each portrait to reflect the bigger picture, down to the smallest detail.
“There is hope. As long as they’re alive, there’s hope. Christopher lives on in this portrait, so every time someone looks at it, he lives on,” Thomas said.
O’Connell and Thomas want to encourage others struggling with mental health issues to speak out about what they’re going through and let them know it’s okay to ask for help.
Dial 988, then press 1 to reach the emergency phone line for veterans.
