The Story Behind the Painting
We Gotta Get Out of This Place

The Anthem of the Vietnam War, Illustrated

A myriad of songs from the 60’s resurrect the feelings and memories of the War in Vietnam. But almost as if by secret vote many decades ago, one song emerged as the unofficial hymn for those who served in Southeast Asia. Written by Barry Mann and performed by Eric Burdon and the Animals, “We Gotta Get Out of this Place” climbed to the number thirteen spot on the American Top Forty in 1965. Even though written about the unforgiving working-class conditions in urban America, this song, with it’s haunting bass line, and unflinching lyrics, found its way into the hearts of service personnel in Vietnam.

Douglas Bradley, writing a book on the place of music for the veteran, gives this song first place with its connection to the war. "We had absolute unanimity in this song being the touchstone," says Bradley. "This was the Vietnam anthem. Every bad band that ever played in an armed forces club had to play this song."

For Britt Taylor Collins in 2005, the song title,“We Gotta Get Out of This Place”, started to emerge as a possible name for an original painting, deliberately intended, from the very beginning, to specially honor the veterans of the Vietnam War.

Much has been written about the war in Southeast Asia. Very little has been depicted in terms of quality art. The challenge for Britt, a seasoned military artist, was to capture the essence of the many and varied Vietnam experiences in a single defining image that would resonate with a wide spectrum of veterans. Borrowing from the manner of Renaissance artists, a multi-figure composition was developed, much like the sculptures found on military monuments. This historic treatment would elevate and honor the sacrifices of the Vietnam Veterans far beyond the scope and ability of typical modern military illustration.

For 3 long years, completing this piece was an abiding passion for the artist. After hundreds of hours of research and concepting, and after painting and repainting on his outdoor studio porch, Britt now unveils a classically painted image of the Vietnam War. In this piece, the viewer is engaged at a direct level, being brought into the scene where soldiers, using a waterproof poncho as a makeshift stretcher, carry a wounded buddy out of direct contact with the enemy. Responding to urgent radio transmissions, a Huey medevac helicopter rushes up from the valley floor and flares in the sight of this struggling team of valiant young men. This is a moment fixed in time, a tangle of human forms, and the stuff of war.

For many; those who would come home alive, and also for those whose names would be etched on a long, low black wall; this would be their last impression of Vietnam. With so much standing against the men and women serving in theatre, including individuals from their own country, the faithful camaraderie of fellow troops would become an enduring legacy of that dirty little war. If, for the Vietnam Veterans, Eric Burdon’s song, “We Gotta Get Out of This Place”, is their anthem, this painting is certainly positioned to become their battle flag.

We Gotta Get Out of This Place is available in a number of beautiful editions, all signed and numbered by the artist.
All framing incorporates museum mounting and materials.

4900 Limited Edition Prints, 20” X 27”

Archival paper print unframed......................$175.00
Standard Framed Limited Edition..................$395.00
Deluxe Framed Limited Edition.....................$495.00

100 Artists Proofs , 20” X 27”

Archival paper print unframed.......................$225.00
Standard Framed Artists Proof.......................$445.00
Deluxe Framed Artists Proof .........................$545.00

100 Giclee Canvas, 22” X 30”

Unframed canvas ...........................................$495.00
Framed ..........................................................$895.00

25 Museum Edition, 36” X 48”

Canvas Giclee Unframed.......................$1600.00

Ambassador Series

The Ambassador Series is a very special and unique 22“ X 30” edition of only 12 numbers, 1964 through 1975, reserved to honor the years that America experienced her greatest involvement in Vietnam. These numbers are not available in any of the other editions. Each of the 12 canvas giclees are framed in handmade Italian moldings, with a mounted brass name plaque. Each canvas print is signed and numbered as a special Ambassador Print, including 1 or more hours of careful hand embellishment by the artist. Custom markings applied to the Huey aircraft are available at an additional price. A signed 8” X 10” framed desk print is included ........ $995.00

To place orders securely call 770-242-3002