Throughout history, military artists have been deployed to capture critical moments of conflict, gather intelligence, and showcase aviation technology. The visual record of our aerial wartime history was dependent on their artwork. 

While many artists illustrated interpretations of pilots returning from missions as well as documenting enemy movement and locations; not all aviation artists focus on combat art. Many are intrigued by replicating the design and dimensions of the plane itself, using brush strokes to capture the light and movement of the plane. The Art of Aviation will feature the life and work of notable aviation artists, beginning with acclaimed aviation artist Gil Cohen in Episode I: The Gil Cohen Retrospective. Our second episode will highlight the work of the American Society for Aviation Artists co-founder, Keith Ferris.

This series will immerse you into the artwork through interviews, painting sessions, re-enactments, and live studio walkthroughs, giving you the opportunity to interact with history in a way you’ve never experienced. Additionally, the documentary will bring in museum curators, aviation art collectors, veterans and authors. The Art of Aviation will illuminate the field of aviation artistry, as well as educating audiences about the contributions aviation artists made to war efforts, such as participating in espionage and intelligence collection. 

This documentary is an ideal choice for fans of "Masters of the Air," "Band of Brothers," and "Memphis Belle." Additionally, this docuseries will engage art history enthusiasts, aviation aficionados, educators, and military history buffs alike. 

Documentarian Jodi-Goren Rode has had a lifelong fascination with aviation and artwork that began, in part, with her cousin, renowned aviation artist Gil Cohen, who is featured in Episode I of The Art of Aviation, The Gil Cohen Retrospective. During her research on these artists, Jodi discovered that the narratives depicted in their artwork are intertwined with global conflicts and historical occurrences. This documentary series is a timely effort to document these artists’ first-hand accounts before they are lost forever. 

Recognizing the imminent risk of losing their firsthand accounts of wartime, she is now resolute in her mission to create a documentary series that highlights these extraordinary artists and their stories related to WWII and other significant chapters in American history. These artists have a unique perspective on history that deserves to be shared; as of now there is very little available information about aviation art and the artists in the field. 

The Art of Aviation will partner with Military Art Therapy programs to provide art classes that will enrich the experience of veterans and their family members enrolled in therapeutic art courses. These classes will be taught by our Aviation Artists as a supplement to Military Art Therapy, focusing on use of colors, composition and general painting technique. 

One of the most important aspects of supporting military families and veterans is by providing support services to aid their return to the family home and their local communities. We believe in the functionality of art beyond its visual appeal; artmaking has the transformative power to heal, inspire, and improve the lives of veterans. 

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, art therapists use art media, the Veteran’s creativity, and the resulting artwork to assist Veterans with introspection to reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior and addictions, develop social skills, and reduce anxiety and increase self-esteem.

Research from the Journal of Arts in Psychotherapy shows emerging evidence that further supports the connection between art making and changes in the brain that has relevance for the use for art therapy in the treatment of military service personnel with co-morbid Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD. They found that artmaking was associated with improved brainwave activity. 

Your contribution to The Art of Aviation will go toward covering production and post-production costs such as marketing and branding, wardrobe and makeup for historical reenactments and interviews, and location fees and permits. Our passionate team of filmmakers has deferred payment on this project until funding is acquired, a testament to their commitment to The Art of Aviation. Additionally, a portion of our donations will go toward supporting our Impact campaign, to make a difference in the lives of veterans.

A documentary is a constantly evolving project- we are simultaneously in research, production and post-production throughout our project. We’ve filmed parts of Episode I: The Gil Cohen Retrospective, as well as parts of Episode II, which will feature the artwork and stories of acclaimed Aviation Artist Keith Ferris. We have exclusive contacts in the aviation art industry, eager to be filmed and share their passion with the world.

We are in the process of applying for grants, setting up meetings with investors and raising funds to bring our project to life. 

Rodehouse Media is a registered Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) production studio founded by Executive Producer Jodi Goren-Rode and based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We value the art of storytelling, and ensure quality, commitment and passion in every project we produce. We offer audiovisual and digital media production, live streaming, web series, and event management. Our clients benefit from a strategic marketing approach of collecting and analyzing information to develop individualized content that is fresh and distinctive, setting them apart from their competitors.

Jodi Goren-Rode (Executive Producer/Director)  has more than twenty-five years of experience producing reality TV, branded media content, documentary programs, live events and corporate communications. She founded Rodehouse Media in 2017, a certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE) that brings value, passion and creativity to their clients and collaborative partners. Jodi is passionate about community outreach and giving back through the work she creates. She spends time volunteering with a variety of organizations and believes that paying it forward is the true recipe for happiness and success. The team’s innovative approach to content creation positions Rodehouse Media as a leader in the production industry.

Darryl Rode (Keystone Pictures) is a highly respected, two-time Emmy Award winning Director of Photography. He founded Keystone Pictures in 1992 and cultivated many clients through his knack for storytelling and visual creativity. His career spans four decades and has taken him around the globe to cover historic events as well as shooting unscripted shows, documentary, music, sports and corporate projects. Today Darryl is the CEO and driving force for growth at Keystone Pictures. He guides clients on a visual journey and prides himself on continual growth and innovation with an eye on the future. As a collaborative partner, Darryl brings years of experience and out of the box thinking to every project he works on.

Andy Obeck (Keystone Pictures), with his education and industry experience as a successful freelance Director of Photography led him to joining forces with Keystone Pictures in 2001. As a partner and DP, Andy leads teams on some of the top rated shows in production today. He’s been directing camera crews and shooting reality tv, docu-series, commercials and corporate videos for over 20 years. His work is featured on many award-winning series and can be viewed on networks and streamers such as Food Network, History Channel, NatGeo, HGTV, CBS, Discovery Channel and Prime. His easy going personality and calm demeanor make him a celebrity favorite to work with!

Rob Marish (Keystone Pictures) is a one-of-a-kind Director who continues to be in high demand working on award winning television series, branded content campaigns, live events and streaming productions. He partnered early on with Darryl Rode to build a powerhouse production company in Keystone Pictures. Rob’s traveled around the world as a Producer, Director and a DP enjoying the process of crafting interesting content mixed with wonderful imagery while creating a vast network of amazing connections!

Tim Archibald (Keystone Pictures) is an experienced and skilled Director of Photography who joined Keystone Pictures as a partner in 2019. Tim prides himself on being a true "Swiss army knife" of production with experience in lighting, camera, sound, and audio visual technology. Tim’s keen attention to detail makes him a valuable production partner in the field and the studio. Re-enactments are one of his specialties making him a highly sought-after DP in the television industry.