"Into the Fire" by Caroline Doucette, Rugby. Doucette's American flag artwork will be on display today in Pekin.

Through the years, Caroline Doucette, of Rugby, has honed her ability to replicate the texture of rolling fabric as it cascades naturally.

Her art will be on display again today, capping a weeklong veterans art exhibit at Nelson County Arts Council in Pekin.

While the painting of American flags became particularly popular after 9/11, Doucette was painting them long before that time, as they were a part of her family’s heritage.

“My maternal grandfather joined the U.S. Army in WWI for his citizenship,” Doucette said. “His sons – my uncles – served in WWII. My mother was in the Army during the Korean War when she met my father, who was in the Air Force. The Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines each got one of my four brothers. I, myself, served in the Army at the end of the Vietnam Conflict.”

Doucette is a 100 percent service connected, disabled veteran.

For more information on the exhibit, which closes at 7 p.m., visit nelsoncountyarts.com.

– Caroline Doucette