BY LINDA DeNICOLA
Staff Writer

"Watching" War is the subject of oil paintings by landscape artist Steve Alpert. In fact, it is the war in Iraq, as seen by American soldiers, that is the focus of an art exhibition at the Beacon Fine Arts gallery in Red Bank.

"Through Their Eyes," a collection of eight paintings created by Alpert, pays tribute to the soldiers' perspectives of the war. The paintings are based on photographs taken by soldiers in the field.

The Beacon Fine Arts exhibition will be on view for one day only, Monday, May 7.

The show is a precursor to a fundraiser titled "Salute to the Wounded Heroes" that will be held June 9. It will be a black-tie event at Gibbs Hall, Fort Monmouth, where the paintings will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to benefit the Fisher House Foundation.

Fisher House is a program that operates privately supported homes located near U.S. military medical centers throughout the country. The homes provide accommodations for veterans' families who need a place to stay so that they can be nearby.

"Sandstorm" There is at least one Fisher House at every major military medical center to assist families in need and to ensure that they are provided with the comforts of home in a supportive environment.

Alpert donated the paintings to Fisher House for the May 7 and June 9 events.

"Out of a deep sense of gratitude, understanding and appreciation, I'm donating these paintings to Fisher House," said the artist, who lives and works in New York City and Long Island.

Alpert, who describes himself as a contemporary/classic landscape artist currently working in oils, explained that he learned about the Fisher House program two years ago when he visited Walter Reed Army Medical Center. While there, he talked with wounded soldiers recuperating from injuries suffered in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He noted that his images are based on combat scenes that were recorded by American soldiers serving in combat zones and convey the perils of combat.

"Black Hawk" The paintings are not meant to be read as anti-war or pro-war, he noted. They are all about the soldiers.

"I believe the paintings convey powerful messages and speak for themselves and hopefully will spur others to recognize and thank our returning service men and women for their sacrifices," he said.

Alpert became aware of the photographs in 2003 after he sent a donation to a former soldier who was making care packages for American troops. The ex-soldier sent him an envelope containing two compact discs filled with 300 war photographs by anonymous soldiers.

David Griswold, owner of Beacon Fine Arts, said the exhibit is a departure for the gallery.

"It is not about selling art, it is about previewing art that is going to be auctioned off at another place.

"It is about giving back," he said.

"Tracks""Night Scope"