PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – Service, sacrifice, and artistic precision are coming together in downtown Panama City as local veteran Masha Edmond debuts her new military-themed art collection, “From Deck to Sky.”
The 13-piece exhibit draws deeply from Edmond’s seven years in uniform with the Medical Corps, a journey that took her from initial training in Texas to duty stations in Washington state and Italy. It was during her two-year overseas tour in Italy that her creative spark reignited, setting the foundation for the collection on display today.
“I always think of my military service and although it was amazing, I feel like there are so many other cool things out there to be done,” Edmond said.
Now working as a pharmacist, Edmond applies the same meticulous attention to detail required in medicine to each brushstroke. Over seven months of dedicated painting, she closely studied reference images to ensure every technical component—from aircraft details to dive gear—matched military precision.
“It’s very meticulous. It’s very detail-oriented,” Edmond said. “And I think that’s kind of what I strive for in my art.”
The community response was immediate. Two of the featured works—titled Blue Angels and The Descent—sold both before and during opening night. Attendees gathered to celebrate the vivid, personal portrayals of armed forces personnel.
“Very proud of my friend, and for creating these unbelievable, amazing, colorful paintings,” said attendee Sergey Bogza.
Beyond honoring troops on the front lines, Edmond emphasizes that the collection is dedicated to the broader network of families and support roles that keep missions running behind the scenes.
“It’s important to know that so many people stand behind that—all the spouses and the kids and all the other professions that maybe in the military don’t seem as cool,” Edmond explained. “They don’t get as cool of a shot or as cool of a painting. But it’s everything that’s supporting that one cool thing that they get to do.”
For Edmond, having neighbors and fellow veterans connect with her work makes the months of preparation worthwhile.
“To see that other people are able to relate to it and it’s something that they enjoy, I mean, that’s just amazing,” Edmond said.
Ten percent of all proceeds from the art sales will go directly to support the Man in the Sea Museum.
“From Deck to Sky” is currently open to the public at Gallery of Art 850 and will run through November 7.
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