Colorado artist Jeff Koehn has created an oil and canvas homage to the 75 year history of the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps titled “Corps of Brothers”, a stunning artwork that respectfully captures the essence of the corps over its long history. But the painting is more than just artistic inspiration, it represents a means for the organization to raise critical funds to keep the Scouts organization viable and pursuing its mission of music education and life-skills development.

Chris Komnick, Madison Scouts executive director, contacted Jeff in January to inquire whether he would be willing to donate his fine art skills to the project. Jeff, an alumnus of the Madison Scouts, was immediately interested and recognized the value he could deliver to the organization with his skills. “Jeff is an artist on the rise,” said Komnick. “His photo-realism techniques have earned him praise from gallery owners and art collectors alike. His pieces typically sell for thousands of dollars.”

Jeff is one of a few younger artists that have captured the interest of gallery owners and art lovers across the country over the past several years. His work is not only well-crafted, but accessible. Jeff’s style has evolved from an early emphasis on photo-realism with the use of pastels in portraits. His earlier illustrative work has appeared in numerous publications. As he shifted to oil and acrylics, he has become absorbed with the excitement of color and texture, refining his paintings with dry brush techniques that lend both complexity and subtlety to his distinctive style. His influences come from Vermeer’s use of light spilling across his paintings, and also from John Singer Sargent’s lush portraits.

“Painting is like making music to me and it is like performing a dance,” said Koehn. “The ‘Corps of Brothers’ painting was both an honor and a challenge to create. I’m thrilled that my skills as a painter could be utilized as a fundraiser for an organization that continues to mean so much to me personally.”

The “Corps of Brothers” silent auction will begin on Monday, September 23rd and continue until 10 p.m. CT on Saturday, September 28th. At the time, and if the reserve has been met, the auction winner will be announced at the Madison Scouts 75th Anniversary Celebration in Madison, WI. Bidders in the auction are not required to be at the event and can bid remotely by sending an email to auction75@madisonscouts.org

Auction proceeds must be presented within 7 days of the announced winner or the next highest bidder will be awarded the painting. Upon valuation, an donation tax-letter will be provided to the winning bidder. “I expect the painting auction will raise several thousand dollars for the corps and I’m excited to see the bidding begin,” stated Komnick.

The painting is 24″ high by 36″ wide and is oil and acrylic on canvas. It can be picked up the banquet or it will be professionally shipped.

In addition to the original painting, the Madison Scouts have produced 100 limited edition reproductions of the painting that will be numbered and hand-signed by Jeff Koehn. These limited edition Giclée prints of “Corps of Brothers” were produced with state-of-the-art digital technology on fine-art archival Hahnemuhle Photo Rag paper by Schumann Studio. The prints are guaranteed for a lifetime of beauty and vibrancy. Identically sized to the painting (24″x36″), they are available for $250 each. They can be purchased via online or at the 75th Anniversary Celebration.

“The limited edition prints are another means to raise money for the corps,” stated Komnick. “We expect them all to sell rather quickly. Once they are gone, that is it. We will not produce any more…adding to the collectibility of the piece.”

To bid on the auction, send you bid via email to auction75@madisonscouts.org

To purchase one of the 100 limited edition prints, CLICK HERE