Thank you for showing interest in looking at and possibly purchasing a print of “The Matador Fallen”. This original drawing was done in 2005 using Prismacolor color pencils on a light blue mat board. It was reproduced as a reduction size print using the “Giclee” printing process using archival quality inks on archival quality paper. I am the artist, Marla Derga, and the Stepmother of Cpl. Dustin A. Derga, one of the Marines depicted. Dustin’s portrait appears at the center bottom of the drawing.
Within the drawing are the portraits of each Marine from Lima Co., 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines who so valiantly gave his life in the line of duty during Operation Matador in May of 2005. Each portrait was based from pictures my husband Bob and I found on the Internet. Fellow Marines and family took many of these pictures. I wish to thank all those whose pictures I used to help create these portraits. I believe all those who die while defending the lives of others have a special place in Heaven. Since we often think of Heaven as being “among the clouds” I have depicted these brave heroes as such. These men were also devoted Americans and our flag is depicted to honor their American spirit. The soldier’s cross represents their supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty.
The two standing figures at the top of the drawing represent Dustin Derga and Darlene Parks. Their figures depict the image I have from a dream Darlene had three weeks before Dustin’s death. My sister Susan relayed this dream to Bob and me two days after Dustin was killed on May 8th, 2005. I would like to take a moment to tell you the content of and circumstances surrounding that dream.
In the dream, Aunt Darlene, (as we have come to call her even though Darlene is only an Aunt to my sister Susan by marriage) said she saw herself dressed in white and standing all alone in a Heaven like place. Then a Marine dressed in fatigues walked up behind her, took her hand and they walked into Heaven together. She said she looked at the Marine in her dream and did not recognize him. Darlene did not know any Marines nor did she have any indication that she might die soon when she had this dream. Yet, Darlene died one hour after Dustin did on May 8th, 2005. Bob and I believe that the Marine in Darlene’s dream was Dustin. We also believe that this dream was an answer to our earnest prayers to have complete assurance that Dustin was indeed safe at home in Heaven.
Soon after hearing this dream I began dreaming of the images you see depicted in “The Matador Fallen”. I feel God inspired this drawing. It was Him who gave me the talent and vision and Him who compelled me to continue drawing through many days of tears and healing. As a graduate of Capital University with a major in Art Therapy, my first thoughts were to do this drawing as a way of working through my own personal grief over the loss of Dustin. Yet, as the weeks went by and more and more people saw the drawing I realized that it could also bring healing to the families of these fallen heroes. Because of that Bob and I have given each set of parents and the spouses of these fallen heroes a signed limited edition print of “The Matador Fallen” as a gift of appreciation for their great sacrifice. We hope the image will bring them some comfort and peace; as it has done so for us.
Now as many more of our Lima Co. family and others have seen this drawing we realize that it can bring good to many more. With that in mind, we are offering a limited edition of “The Matador Fallen” with a total of 250 signed and numbered prints. Each print will cost $30.00, which includes shipping and handling. In addition $5.00 of every sale will be donated to a fund to help maintain the memorial garden created for the 23 fallen heroes of Lima Co. located a the Marine Reserve Base in Columbus Ohio.
In the near future, I hope to complete further drawings depicting the other fallen heroes from Lima and the 3/25th Marines. I feel the God has also given me these images. In obedience to the prompting of His Spirit I will do my best to use the talent He has blessed me with to complete these additional drawings. I have committed in prayer to Him to continue drawing images of our fallen heroes for as long as He calls me to do so. Some of these drawings may also be offered in limited edition prints in the future. To all those who purchase a print of “The Matador Fallen” we want to say thank you for your support of our brave service men and women.
In closing I want to emphasis that God deserves all the glory and praise for first, giving us such great assurance that Dustin and all our heroes are safe at home in Heaven with Him living face to face in glory. Secondly, the praise and glory for the completion of this first drawing goes to Him as well. As the earthly artist, I just obeyed His prompting and faithfully showed up in my studio, pencil in hand with eyes and heart open to His leading.
Thank you! God bless you and God bless America!
Semper Fi,
Marla Derga
To order a giclee print of
The Matador Fallen
Companion piece: The Warrior Storm
