The History Behind Life to Bronze

By
​Retired Captain Roger Whittler

​Since 1976, Essex Garner has been a prolific artist, his work has been recognized by the American Institute of Architects, the Art Research Center, (ARC), and many other organizations.  He has earned the Kansas City Urban Design Award and has been featured at the, Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Center in Kansas City, the Museum of Missouri Military History, the Military Heritage Museum, as well as many other distinguished art centers and museums.  He was selected as the artist to create the George Washington Carver Mural, and has earned numerous prestigious awards, recognitions, and featured exhibits.  
 
We are honored that he accepted our request to create Life to Bronze, in dedication to his Great-Uncle Boston Daniels, who helped raise Mr. Garner, and was the first Black Chief of Police in the history of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department.  Mr. Garner used his vision and creativity to create a watercolor painting for the exclusive use of the Missouri Trooper Monument.  Life to Bronze has an exclusive purpose - to raise funds so that families, children, and those who place themselves in harm’s way for our safety, will know, “we will never forget” the sacrifices made for us. I attached a link to reflections on Chief Boston Daniels, at the end of this article.
 
Mr. Garner titled this watercolor Life to Bronze because it signifies a live officer on the right, and a gradual change to a bronze officer on the left.  His vision is that we will be successful in creating a monument that will endure for 300 years.  He used live officers’ photographs to create his vision in artform.  
 
The ability to obtain a signed print of Mr. Garners’ work is a unique opportunity, and for less than $150 is unheard of.  Our supplier has provided us reduced printing cost as a contribution to the project, which allows us to sell these prints at less than $60 dollars, making them affordable, quality prints for a worthy cause. 
 
Will you join us and become part of this legacy and communicate “our support of our officers and families?” We must all come together in order to create this lasting monument.  Mr. Garner has given us beautiful strokes of pigment, shadows, inspiration, and fine art. Prints are only available here at MissourTrooperFund.org, and for a limited time. We are forever thankful for the 9 months Mr. Garner volunteered his time to support us and remember his Great-Uncle, Chief Boston Daniels, Kansas City, Kansas, and Mr. Daniels’ service to the community.

Chief Boston Daniels

Life to Bronze Painting