Cstopa.com Storefront for Christopher M. Stopa's military artwork
Title
Christopher Stopa Military Artist
Description
Born and raised in Niagara Falls, NY., Chris spent much of his time growing up with a pencil in his hand. It wasn't until just prior to graduating high school that he wanted to make his talent a career. In 1986 Chris enrolled at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in the Visual Communications program. Following graduation in the summer of 1989, Chris accepted employment as an in-house Graphic Illustrator for for a food distribution Company in Pittsburgh, PA., where he worked for the next two years. In April of 1991 he joined the United States Marine Corps, and was stationed at Paris Island, South Carolina. After boot camp he spent his first four years in a Combat (MOS) as an enlisted Amphibious Assault Vehicle Crewman, (AAV's) and was deployed to several locations world wide. During that time he was assigned to 2nd AAV Battalion, 2nd Marine Division (2nd MAR DIV) and participated in a number of Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable (MEUSOC) exercises including a six month deployment as part of the 26th MEU (SOC), aboard the USS Saginaw, in the fall of 1992 which supported operations off the coast of the former Yugoslavia. Returning to the Mediterranean Sea in the winter of 1994 this time for support in "Operation Restore Hope" in Somalia as part of the 24th MEU (SOC), aboard the USS Spartanburg County (LST). Upon landing in the capitol of Somalia (Mogadishu) this operation would last four of the six-months of the deployment and consist of the withdraw of US troops from Somalia. Upon returning to Camp LeJeune from the latest deployment and a long six months, the 24th MEU (SOC) and Alpha Company 2nd AAV Battalion 3rd Platoon would make history. This time the 24th MEU (SOC) was recalled from authorized leave after only two weeks back in the US. This was the first time the 24th MEU (SOC) was reactivated after standing-down and the MEU's units were instructed to return back to Camp LeJeune after only 2 days on leave. This leave is normally a 2-3 week period. The deployment "Operation Support Democracy" in troubled Haiti lasted 45 more days for the Marines of Alpha Company 2nd AAV BN. As the second enlistment came around in March of 1995, Chris accepted orders to Quantico, VA, while he was there he spent the next four years as a Graphic Specialist, reeducating himself in the Graphic Design field. Continuing his education he attended Northern Virginia Community College majoring in multimedia design. By the end of the second enlistment Sergeant Chris Stopa would hold the title equivalent to Junior Art Director, and produced several posters and other marketing material including Illustrations for the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Krulak, and his campaign for the Professional Reading Program. In October of 1998 Sergeant Chris Stopa elected to end his honorable military career at Marine Corps Base, Quantico Virginia. It was then he decided to pursue a civilian career in the multimedia design field. After departing Virginia he experienced a short stay in Ohio, where he worked as a production and graphic designer. Soon after, he accepted an employment opportunity working once again with the United States Marine Corps this time as a civilian with a consulting firm, producing and assisting with the development of interactive multimedia training simulations. The United States Marine Corps uses these simulations as part of the field training exercises in leadership. Chris has since settled down in Chantilly, Virginia where he currently resides and continues his career in multimedia development. Chris has always expressed interest in the American Civil War and early American History he attributes his time spent in the United States Marine Corps as an educational period of American military history. He admits combining his talent with his enthusiasm for American Military history has enabled him to focus completely and further develop his artistic interest.
