During the summer time I participate in a location drawing and painting class which gathers artist's from all over Long Island. Each Sunday we trek about long Island and Manhattan in search of interesting locations to draw and paint. The artist's range from High School students to working professionals. Classes are run by Society of Illustrators Board Member Jeff Fisher www.thedrawingstudioli.com.

This week we ventured to the Great South Bay Music Festival at Shorefront Park in Patchogue, NY. I ran into the brother's Farrell and their 1962 pumper truck, "Old Engine 311". The truck is used for ceremonies and fund raising. The Terry Farrell Fund is a scholarship fund that was started by the brothers Farrell after they lost their brother Terry on 9/11. You can read all about the fund, Engine 311, and Firefighter Terry Farrell (a decorated member of Rescue 4/FDNY and Chief of the Dix Hills Volunteer Fire Department) here > www.terryfarrellfund.org.

I didn't know the meaning behind it or who Terry was when I set out to draw this engine. I picked it because it was so interesting. I especially liked all the helmets that lined the side ladder. I was fortunate enough that both of the Farrell brothers were there feeding me information about the truck, their brother, and the fund as I sketched away. It was a nice moment to be able to draw Engine 311 and hear about their courageous brother. I'd like to thank the Farrell brothers for being so courteous and excited about the drawing that I was doing. The image below will soon be posted on their site as well. The Terry Farrell Scholarship Fund is open to the children of all active, retired, disabled and deceased FDNY Members or Volunteer Department Members residing in the 4 Counties of Long Island. (Nassau, Suffolk, Queens & Brooklyn).