Jes Lee

Previous work: 'Waiting Ribbons'

- 74 Pictures
<a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book01/">Book01</a><p>Coptic Binding<br/>Hand dyed fabric cover<br/>Standard Issue Army Uniform Remnants<br/>Black Fabric Marker<br/>Completed May 2006</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book02/">Book02</a><p>Waiting Ribbons <br/>by Jes Lee</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book03/">Book03</a><p>This book is dedicated to my husband...<br/><br/>Thank you for coming home</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book04/">Book04</a><p>February 14th, 2003 43&deg; 95' N 90&deg; 81' W <br/><br/> "Happy Valentines Day, wish I could be there - Love, JCS" <br/><br/> I wonder how many other military wives have gotten flowers like this today... <br/><br/>I put one of the rose petals inside the letter I wrote to him tonight...</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/book05/">Book05</a><p></p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Distance/">Distance</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Distance"<br/> Pigmented Ink Jet Print on Canvas. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed July 2004</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/bed1/">bed1</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Bed #1" <br/>Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed April 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book06/">Book06</a><p></p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/yellow-ribbon-1/">yellow ribbon 1</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Yellow Ribbon #1" <br/>Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed May 2005</p>
<a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book07/">Book07</a><p>February 27th, 2003 28&deg; 54'N 48&deg; 11'E <br/><br/> A friend once told me that if you drive under a train bridge while a train passes over it, you can make a wish. Somehow, the train will carry your wish with it, and your wish will come true...<br/><br/> I drive under a train bridge everyday on my way to school - <br/> I always make the same wish...</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Buildings/">Buildings</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Pictures" <br/> Pigmented Ink Jet Print on Canvas. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed February 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book08/">Book08</a><p></p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/truck-1/">truck 1</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Truck #1"<br/> Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed April 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book09/">Book09</a><p>March 2nd, 2003 28&deg; 54' N 48&deg; 11' E<br/><br/> His field jacket got sent home today <br/> They don't need heavy jackets in the desert. I'm wearing it now, trying to keep warm. <br/><br/> He told me they are all living in a big warehouse because there aren't enough tents for everyone over there. <br/><br/> The phone connections are never very good and there is always a lot of background noise when he calls.</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/field-jacket/">field jacket</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Field Jacket" <br/>Silver Gelatin Print.<br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5"<br/> <br/>Completed March 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book10/">Book10</a><p></p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/letters-1/">letters 1</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Letters #1" <br/>Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed March 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book11/">Book11</a><p>March 7th, 2003 28&deg; 54' N 48&deg; 11' E <br/><br/> My first big art show opened today...<br/><br/> He called me to wish me good luck. I am sending him copies of the pictures I have ehanging up, and snapshots we took at the opening. I want him to feel like he was there in a way...<br/><br/> My friends stayed with me through the whole opening party, trying to keep my mind off of where he really was.</p>
<a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/letters-2/">letters 2</a><p>Detail of original.<br/>Original Image: "Letters #2"<br/> Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed April 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book12/">Book12</a><p>March 28th, 2003 30&deg; 7' N 47&deg; 43' E<br/><br/> Today, in my seminar class, our topic of discussion turned towards the war. The focus eventually settled on me and how I felt about my connection with this event. What do I think about all of this? I'm not even sure I can answer that, or ever will. I sat there being watched by my peers, and wondered for a short time how I could explain everything. Nothing came. So, instead I gave some vague answer that sounded like it was right out of a military brochure. My classmates nodded in agreement as if I had just confirmed exactly what they thought it would be like. Or maybe they understood what I couldn't find the words to say...<br/><br/> Slowly the discussion shifted back to "normal" again, though I couldn't really concentrate anymore...</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/soldiers/">soldiers</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Soldiers" <br/>Pigmented Ink Jet Print on Canvas. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed April 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book13/">Book13</a><p></p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/protection/">protection</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Protection" <br/>Pigmented Ink Jet Print on Canvas. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed May 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book14/">Book14</a><p>April 6th, 2003 30&deg; 56' N 46&deg; 05' E<br/><br/> I finally got to tell him today about our new condo. It is the first time he's been able to call since I signed the purchase agreement last week. We'll finally have a place of our own for him to come home to.<br/><br/> He told me they are leaving on a two-week long mission into Iraq. He isn't sure when he'll be able to call me again.</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Night-Thoughts/">Night Thoughts</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Night Thoughts" <br/>Pigmented Ink Jet Print on Canvas. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed May 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book15/">Book15</a><p>April 28th, 2003 30&deg; 56' N 46&deg; 14' E<br/><br/> Someone in his unit started a website with pictures of everyone in their unit. He updates _createdit with new pictures whenever he can get an internet connection...<br/><br/> I found a picture of him taken shortly after they had arrived...<br/><br/> I haven't seen any pictures of him since. He calls me whenever he can between missions...</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/truck-2/">truck 2</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Truck #2"<br/> Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed Size 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed April2005</p>
<a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book16/">Book16</a><p></p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/letters-3/">letters 3</a><p>Detail of original.<br/>Original Image: "Letters #3"<br/> Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed April 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book17/">Book17</a><p>May 2nd, 2003 30&deg; 56' N 46&deg; 14' E<br/><br/> When he is able to call me, it is usually at 3am...<br/><br/> He told me that if they aren't overseas for at least 6 months, they will get no credit for being there at all - no combat patch, no veterans benefits, nothing.<br/><br/> How am I supposed to hope he is gone for that long so his service will be recognized?</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/army/">army</a><p>Detail of original.<br/>Original Image: "Army"<br/>Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5"<br/>Completed March 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book18/">Book18</a><p>May 12th, 2003 33&deg; 21'N 45&deg; 46' E<br/><br/> Finals week is here...<br/><br/> I'm not walking in my graduation ceremony because he won't be here to see it anyway.<br/><br/> There have been many rumors that they will be coming home soon, but none have proven to be true, yet.<br/><br/>Their missions continue everyday...</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/truck-3/">truck 3</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Truck #3"<br/> Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed April 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book19/">Book19</a><p></p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Windows/">Windows</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Windows" <br/>Pigmented Ink Jet Print on Canvas. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed March 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book20/">Book20</a><p></p>
<a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/bed-2/">bed 2</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Bed #2" <br/>Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5"<br/>Completed April 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/truck-4/">truck 4</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Truck #4"<br/> Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed April 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book21/">Book21</a><p>June 4th, 2003 33&deg; 27' N 44&deg; 05' E<br/><br/> The condo is ours now, and I have everything moved in; his stuff and mine. It is very quiet here, as if everything is waiting...<br/><br/> ...One of my customers at the restaurant today told me that I couldn't wear a white dress when he and I renew our vows at our big wedding ceremony when he comes home...</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/wedding-dress/">wedding dress</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Wedding Dress" <br/>Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed June 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book22/">Book22</a><p></p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/yellow-ribbon-2/">yellow ribbon 2</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Yellow Ribbon #2" <br/>Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed June 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book23/">Book23</a><p>July 4th, 2003 31&deg; 05' N 46 &deg; 14' E<br/><br/> I turned 21 two days ago. Last night I went with my friend and Mom and Dad to Billy's Bar in St. Paul to celebrate.<br/><br/>The drink coasters they gave us were actually postcards, so we wrote notes to him and mailed them.<br/><br/>Maybe next summer he'll actually be here with us...</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/truck-5/">truck 5</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Truck #5"<br/> Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed April 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book24/">Book24</a><p>July 11th, 2003 31&deg; 05' N 46&deg; 14' E<br/><br/> Today was supposed to be our wedding day - the day we had picked when we got engaged.<br/><br/>That seems so long ago now...<br/><br/> He called today - he remembered what day it was supposed to be too...</p>
<a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Where-We-Are/">Where We Are</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Where We Are" <br/>Pigmented Ink Jet Print on Canvas. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed Completed April 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book25/">Book25</a><p>July 28th, 2003 31&deg; 05' N 46&deg; 14' E<br/><br/> For the past week-and-a-half he has been in Kuwair at a medical training camp. There aren't any medics in his unit - so they sent him to get some training in First-Aid. He could call me everyday and talk as long as he wanted because the international cell phone we sent him works in Kuwait. With no time limits, we finally got to have a real conversation! <br/><br/>Now he is back in Iraq. He doesn't know when he can call again. He keeps looking at the pictures of the condo I sent him...</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/truck-6/">truck 6</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Truck #6"<br/> Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed April 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book26/">Book26</a><p></p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/burning-images/">burning images</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Burning Images" <br/>Pigmented Ink Jet Print on Canvas. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5"<br/> <br/>Completed May 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book27/">Book27</a><p>August 24th, 2003 31&deg; 05' N 46&deg; 14' E<br/><br/> ...he told me they finally got to move into air-conditioned tents - they also finally all got their desert colored uniforms. There weren't enough uniforms for everyone to have one before.<br/><br/>They are running missions everyday now. there are rumors that their commander is volunteering them for extra missions so he can look good for the "brass" at home.<br/><br/>Many times they are running missions on little or no sleep, driving trucks that badly need to be fixed - all so the other companies have time off to sleep and repair their own trucks.<br/><br/> He tries to call me everyday - no matter how long the line for the phone is - sometimes though it is a week or longer before he is at a phone where he can call so I can hear his voice and know he is alive.</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/truck-7-truck-3/">truck 7 truck 3</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Truck #7"<br/> Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed April 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book28/">Book28</a><p>September 20th, 2003 31&deg; 05' N 46&deg; 14' E<br/><br/> There was another attack on one of their convoys this month - he was only 2 trucks behind the one that was hit. No one was seriously hurt - only the truck was messed up. One more that must be fixed.<br/><br/> I see stories on the news about these small towns where about half of the people there belong to the same reserve unit, and if something happens to one of the soldiers, the whole town comes together and does whatever they can for the soldier's family.<br/><br/>Living in a big city like this, there are so many people who are not even connected with the military that it seems like if something happened to one of the soldiers, most people wouldn't even notice...</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/fire/">fire</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Fire"<br/> Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed April 2005</p>
<a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book29/">Book29</a><p></p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Images-of-Him/">Images of Him</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Images of Him" <br/>Pigmented Ink Jet Print on Canvas. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5"<br/> <br/>Completed May 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book30/">Book30</a><p>October 4th, 2003 31&deg; 05' N 46&deg; 14' E<br/><br/> His unit was told they most likely won't be home untili March. He wants me to send him a laptop - he's been withough a computer for too long. <br/><br/>Since they will be over there so much longer, he qualifies to come home on leave if he wants. We discussed it for a long time and decided it would be too hard for both of us to say goodbye again... <br/><br/>I finally got the box that he sent me a month ago. Someone had stolen the purple prayer beads and the CD of pictures out of the box. He says this happens quite often.<br/><br/> He'll send the pictures again soon...</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/letters-4/">letters 4</a><p>Detail of original.<br/>Original Image: "Letters #4"<br/> Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed April 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book31/">Book31</a><p>October 22nd, 2003 31&deg; 05' N 46&deg; 14' E<br/><br/> Today is our one year anniversary. Instead of eating frozen year-old wedding cake, I am lucky that he is able to call...<br/><br/> Grandpa started talking at WWII - it was the first time I had ever heard him talk about the war at all. He talked about being wounded and how other soldiers stole everything he had to bring home, including a hand-carved cane made for him by one of the natives that was taking care of him.<br/><br/>They got married just before he had to leave, just like us, and she waited for him to come home, just like I'm waiting, and grandpa came home...</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/i-tried-not-to-watch/">i tried not to watch</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "I Tried not to Watch" <br/>Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5"<br/> <br/>Completed May 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book32/">Book32</a><p>November 10th, 2003 28&deg; 54' N 48&deg; 11' E<br/><br/> His unit is back in Kuwait cleaning their trucks and getting ready to come home!<br/><br/>He can call me everyday now from his cell phone...<br/><br/> Maybe he'll be home for Christmas...</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/truck-8-truck-2/">truck 8 truck 2</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Truck #8"<br/> Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed April 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book33/">Book33</a><p>November 16th, 2003 28&deg; 54' N 48&deg; 11' E<br/><br/> On the night they drove into Iraq for the first time, they all wrote letters home - to families, kids, husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends, or wives to say goodbye. The letters were addressed and then passed off to their "battle buddy" who would ccarry it with them. If someone was killed in Iraq, their letter would be sent home.<br/><br/> He says he wishes now he could have that letter back and burn it. <br/><br/>I wonder how many people will get letters like that before this is all over.</p>
<a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/past-memories/">past memories</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Past Memories" <br/>Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5"<br/> <br/>Completed May 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book34/">Book34</a><p></p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/to-the-halls-of-vlahalla/">to the halls of vlahalla</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "To the Halls of Valhalla Where the Brave Shall Live Forever" <br/>Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5"<br/> <br/>Completed May 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book35/">Book35</a><p>November 27th, 2003 28&deg; 54' N 48&deg; 11' E<br/> <br/> On TV they keep telling us how they are trying to make sure that all the soldiers get a real Thanksgiving dinner.<br/><br/>He said he ate at a Subway on base instead because he didn't feel like waiting in line for two hours just for turket.<br/><br/>We'll have turkey for Christmas...</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/maps/">maps</a><p>Detail of original.<br/>Original Image: "Maps"<br/> Pigmented Ink Jet Print on Canvas. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5"<br/> <br/>Completed February 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book36/">Book36</a><p>December 12th, 2003 28&deg; 54' N 48&deg; 11' E<br/><br/> He called me from the airport. They are flying out of Kuwait, through Prague, then into Fort Bragg. They will be on U.S. soil soon, and home in time for Christmas!</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/truck-9-truck-1/">truck 9 truck 1</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Truck #9"<br/> Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed April 2005</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book37/">Book37</a><p>December 24th, 2003<br/><br/>I don't know what I expected to find as I drove down East 94 to Tomah, Wisconsin last week - sneaking off to see him for a day before he would get to come home for what we hoped would be "for good".<br/>In my memories there are many different versions of him and I wondered what I would find when I saw him again - and if anything would ever be like it was before. I saw his smile and reallized that many things had changed - we had both grown older, lived through many things, and his skin now smelled like the desert. But I knew that everything would be ok.<br/>He finally saw his new home on December 22nd. I will forever remember that day. We have been putting away the things he brought home, and he is getting settled in. He showed me the folder he kept the letters I sent him in - and on top was the rose petal.</p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/yellow-ribbon-3/">yellow ribbon 3</a><p>Detail of original. <br/>Original Image: "Yellow Ribbon #3" <br/>Silver Gelatin Print. <br/>Framed size: 17.5" X 17.5" <br/>Completed May 2005</p>
<a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book38/">Book38</a><p></p> <a href="/gallery/waiting-ribbons/Book39/">Book39</a><p></p>