Meet Brent Gibb, a U.S. Air Force Veteran who discovered his path as an artist after years of hard work and a period of unemployment. What began as a way to make a living has grown into a passion fueled by the need to create and the desire to keep improving.

His acrylic painting, Mohave Desert Sand Dunes, reflects his willingness to step outside his comfort zone, trading bold realism for geometric shapes and a vibrant palette—a process he connects to letting go and recovery. Through CAVARTS, Brent hopes to share his work, overcome the fear of being seen, and encourage others to embrace their own creativity.

Meet John W. Schembari, a Vietnam Veteran, author, and songwriter who goes by “The American Dreamer.” Through his writing and music, John works to honor Veterans, women Veterans, and military spouses while raising awareness about the challenges of service, healing, and finding support. From his memoir Surviving 40 Years of Silence to songs like 54 Souls, The Nurses of Vietnam, and Warrior’s Wife, John uses creativity to spark conversations, share stories, and inspire healing.

Meet Alan Brown, a 23-year Army Veteran, writer, poet, and lifelong self-described “drama geek” who has found creativity to be a powerful way to process life, service, family, and transition.

Through his book, “When the Uniform No Longer Fits: Reflections on Military Service, Family and Being a Veteran”, Alan brings together poetry and prose exploring duty, deployment, fatherhood, the complexities of military life, and the often-complicated journey from service member to veteran. For Alan, writing is more than an artistic outlet—it’s a way to make sense of experiences that don’t always come with easy answers.

This month, we’re pleased to feature Navy Veteran and longtime photographer Gunther Schabestiel, whose journey behind the camera began at just 12 years old.

From his years as a Navy Photographer in Japan and California to a decades-long career capturing everything from architecture to high-speed automotive testing, Gunther has witnessed—and embraced—the remarkable evolution of photography. Today, his creative process often begins by getting into the woods, where observation and exploration continue to inspire his work.