C-5 painter explores possibilities of special art Published Jan. 24, 2003 By Lanorris Askew Warner Robins Air Logistics Center Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) -- If a picture is worth a thousand words, then Mike Boutwell, a painter for the C-5 corrosion control facility here, is speaking volumes.Boutwell, who said he has been doodling ever since he can remember, has received rave reviews on his latest work, a mural of the C-5 Galaxy.Spending his days in the paint shop preparing and painting actual C-5s, Boutwell said he uses whatever free time he can find on his first love -- art."I've loved drawing since I was a kid," he said. "Whenever I can get some spare time I spend it creating."Boutwell has spent the past 11 years in the paint business, four of those with the C-5, but said this is his first attempt at this sort of art since high school."I had some free time in between planes and decided to do something different," he said.What began as a small painting of a C-5 Galaxy on a supply locker inside the C-5 paint shop evolved into a hangar-door-sized mural dedicated to the aircraft for all to see.Boutwell said it was not a very long process."It took about two days to complete," he said. "Waiting to let the colors dry before going on to the next took the most time."Though he has no professional training in the arts, his skills have not gone unnoticed."This young man has a lot of talent," said William Walker, C-5 corrosion control supervisor. "I think it's neat to recognize some of his work which can be seen inside, as well as outside the hangar."Boutwell said he recalls when he was 9 years old, he and his father would break out the old black and white comic strips and a black felt pen. They would take turns making additions to the strip characters and then guessing what the other had added.At age 31, Boutwell has come from cartoon comics with his father to wall-size murals and has no thoughts of stopping there. He said he received an airbrush set for Christmas and is excited about the possibilities."I would like to get into airbrushing cars and motorcycle tanks or even tattooing," he said.Boutwell is a husband and father of two with another child on the way and said his love of art has been passed down to his 9-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter."My son really loves art," he said. "He's very talented and draws every chance he gets."He said the mural is more than just a personal accomplishment; it is a morale thing."This piece is meant to lift the morale of our folks," he said. "It's like a pride thing. I would love to do more of this sort of thing in the future."