Aurence was born in Pensacola, Florida, but spent his early years growing up in the mill town of Porterdale, Milstead, and Conyers, Ga., where he was raised as a Catholic. At one point, due to financial hardships, his family was offered living quarters at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, in Conyers, Georgia. Between homes and the monastery, Aurence worked odd jobs picking cotton and peaches, and working on a cattle farm. At the monastery, he followed the Monks around watching them create their pottery (this gave him his love for pottery; His pots have Vietnam themes, though he seldom has time for the wheel these days), working in the bonsai house, baking bread, and performing other daily chores.

Aurence graduated from Rockdale High School in 1965. He and high school friend Danny McGee joined the Marines on the buddy program. Aurence spent his tour of duty in Vietnam. He was stationed at Marble Mountain where he served as a door gunner manning the H-37 Deuce, H-34, and the UH-1 Huey helicopters (MAG 16). Aurence was wounded in the attack on Marble Mountain in August of 1967 and medevaced to Da Nang. Due to the severity of his injuries he was then medevaced to the USS Repose, a hospital ship (now reduced to scrap). When the Repose was called to assist the Forrestal Aurence ended up in the Philippines where he missed his rotation and was sent back to Vietnam.

Aurence received the Purple Heart twice in Vietnam for the same incident (once while in DaNang and again while on the Repose--technically he was awarded 1 Purple Heart and he tells everyone that it was one too many).

When Aurence returned to the states, he blended back in with society. In 1994, Aurence discovered the canvas. Several months later, Linda Anderson, a well-known folk artist, discovered him. She encouraged him to paint his soul. He quickly tuned into his soul and demand for his work soared.

For a time, Aurence turned to Vietnam paintings and did mostly commissioned works. He has recently stopped accepting commissions so that he may be more creative and offer collectors a greater variety of his works. Many collectors have been waiting for more monastery and island paintings. Also, since we moved to an area rich with lighthouses, Aurence has been busy working on several lighthouse pieces. Be on the lookout for some unique German art from our trip to Germany.

Aurence's paintings are most recognizable for his inclusion of a White Dog, his mascot at Marble Mountain and, in his mind, "protector in Vietnam." All of his paintings, even his non-Vietnam paintings, contain two more important elements: fireballs streaming through the skies, which he calls "messages from 'Nam." and a squiggly in the form of a "D" which honors his fallen friend Danny McGee.

Three other items appear randomly in Aurence's works: a black dog, though rare, represents death (be careful, as some people confuse cows and oxen as his black dog) and Aurence's favorite Huey, 091. Since 091 landed in our yard in 2002, he frequently paints her and has many requests to put her in non-Vietnam commissioned paintings. He also adds one or two graves in his Vietnam paintings from time to time, depending on the size of his paintings. The graves honor those killed in Vietnam and contain names and particulars.

If you have a piece of Aurence's works, no matter what the subject matter, Vietnam is always present. Aurence pays tribute to all who lost their lives in each and every piece.

More on Aurence

Painting of Clarence Town, Bahamas	Section of Children Of War. Aurence painted this from one of my Third World photos. Although these children were innocent victims of politics my photo reminded him of the children of Vietnam. Sometimes they could be as dangerous as the VC.

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