About The Artist
Dimitri Verdoodt was born in Mortsel, Belgium in 1962. As a youngster, he constantly expressed his passion for aviation by drawing aircraft, pilots and dogfights on every piece of paper he could lay his hands on.
His flying career started with the 85 B Army Aviation student pilot promotion, flying Siai Marchetti SF 260 and Alouette II. In 1986, he received his wings and was assigned to the 17th Light Aviation Squadron in Werl, Germany. In 1994, Dimitri's squadron moved to Liège, Belgium where he converted to the Agusta A-109. He has participated in several missions abroad such as KFOR in Kosovo and Althea in Bosnia.
Throughout his military career, he has strived to improve his artistic skills by drawing unit insigna, logos and aviation subjects in different kinds of mediums. It was especially the books and artwork of the famous American aviation artist and aviator Lou Drendel that served as his first source of inspiration. In 2001 he tackled oils for the first time and produced his first aviation oil painting: Johnnie Johnsons Spitfire. The Spitfire was based on an artwork of the famous British artist Robert Taylor whom he was fortunate to meet that same year.
Moreover, as an admirer of the F16, he gladly accepted his friend's Danny Coremans request to make the caricatures for the DACO “Uncovering the ...” books on the F-16, F-18 and F-14. However, it was his Agusta A-109 pencil drawing that drew the attention of colleagues and enthousiasts. On their demand a limited number of prints were made. Requests for more drawings soon followed, including civilian helicopters.
Two companies now handle the ever increasing demand: Griffon Art en Griffon Gallery. The names take after the insigna of Dimitri's beloved 17th Squadron, the Griffon.
In 2002 Dimitri became an “Overseas Friend” of the renowed Guild of Aviation Artists. He is also a member of the Canadian Aviation Artists Association. Dimitri lives with his Canadian wife Judith and two daughters in Zolder, Belgium. Presently he is the Flight Safety Officer of the Wing Helicopters of the Belgian Armed Forces Air Component.
Dimitri Verdoodt
All Galleries
- » Pencil Drawings (for sale!)
- » Specials
- » Caricatures
- » Oil Paintings
- » Patches & Insignia
- » Belgian Air Force 2009 Aviation Safety Calendar
- » Belgian Air Force 2010 Aviation Safety Calendar
- » Belgian Air Force 2011 Aviation Safety Calendar
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