John Winstead Jr. was a navy man. Off duty, he was a family man and an artist who used pen and ink to bring nature to life. One of the special characteristics of his work was his ability to incorporate hidden pictures into the drawings. He created this illustration after returning from duty in the Marshall Islands, the site of nuclear weapons testing in the early years of the Cold War.
In 1987, John died at age 60, succumbing to leukemia caused by the nuclear testing on his ship. This beautiful drawing wonderfully demonstrates John’s talent but, sadly, it is the only known example of his work. The cherished family heirloom has been lovingly preserved so that his heirs can remember and appreciate John and his extraordinary talent, for generations to come.