Aviation ArtMr. Sam Lyons

Meet Mr. LyonsYou can attach any number of career labels to

Sam Lyons - aviation artist, teacher, sailboat captain, scuba diver, hobby shop owner. While Sam tackles everything with passion and dedication, his greatest love is creating aviation art. He's been doing that full-time since 1985. A true Southern gentleman, Sam was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia.

His early years…Sam credits his father - a B-24 pilot during WW II - with sparking his early interest in aviation. He credits his mother for putting aside her concerns when he went for his private pilot-glider license while in college. Luckily he graduated from Presbyterian College with a degree in biology, and then went on to serve two years as an officer in the U.S. Army. His main duty was escorting hazardous materials with the Chemical Corps (another reason for his mother to worry). After his Army stint, Sam began teaching at his alma mater, Woodward Academy (his 1971 faculty picture – high school Science teacher).

Accomplishments Sam's greatest source of pride is the reaction he gets from pilots and

aviation enthusiasts of every age and experience. At air shows around the country, there's nothing like having a young kid wander into his booth with an awed expression. He's also gratified by how many times adults look around in wide-eyed wonder. Additionally, Sam has won many awards and gained recognition in military and civilian arenas.

Through his membership in the Air Force Art Program, Sam's painting, LEAD SOLO, graces the Air Force Art Hall in the Pentagon. He also has other prints and paintings that can be found at the Blue Angels headquarters, the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, the Air Force Museum, the Naval Aviation Museum, the Royal Air Force Museum, and at Disney. Many of his paintings have graced the covers of numerous magazines and catalogs. He has been commissioned to create works of art for clients such as Barron Hilton of the Hilton Corp., Brig. Gen. C. W. Taylor, Dobbins AFB, Blue Angels, U.S. Army, U.S. Parks Dept., AT&T, Bell South, Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems and the Danbury Mint. He's a member of the American Society of Aviation Artists; the Air Force Art Program; the EAA; Vintage Aircraft Association; Warbirds of America; the 8th Air Force Historical Society; and the Coast Guard Art Program.

Achievements He is one of the rare civilians who has flown in the F-15 Eagle while dog-

fighting with Air Force pilots, the F-16 Falcon, and with the Navy in the Blue Angels F-18 Hornet.

While the world of aviation figures most prominently in Sam's paintings, his body of work also includes classic automobiles, boats, portraits, florals and landscapes. He also added sculpting to the list with creations of aviation historical figures.

Sam reached a major milestone in his career when he was inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame. He is the first artist to be so honored. He joins the ranks of revered aviation superstars such as Eddie Rickenbacker, Curtis Pitts, and Jacqueline Cochran. The black tie induction ceremony took place at the Museum of Aviation at the Robins Air Force Base on February 14, 2009.

What is he doing now?• From 2002 until March 2010,

Sam lived and worked out of his home in Woodstock, Georgia. It was located on a grass airstrip called Air Acres. Although he doesn't live on an airstrip anymore, he enjoys an equally beautiful view from his home in Lakeland, Florida, that he shares with his wife Mindy and their three cats.

“Checking the Mail”• Mr. Lyons reconnected with a former

student, Mrs. Lin Carter. After learning that Lin teaches elementary gifted in Bibb County, he and his wife donated a signed and numbered print to Sonny Carter Elementary.

• The print they chose to donate is called “Checking the Mail.” The name of this print has a double meaning! The PT-17 Stearman pilot circles to check his mailbox while the man leaning against the truck is checking his voicemail. In addition, a Waco sits on the grass field.

Thank you!

The students at Sonny Carter Elementary are so excited to receive their print from Mr. Lyons.

The REACH students are especially thankful for his generosity! His art has inspired them and provides another artistic avenue for them to explore!

2012-2013 REACH students at Sonny Carter Elementary with their teacher, Mrs. Lin Carter