A new epoch of public diplomacy is revealed as United States Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic (Greece) David D. Pearce illustrates the Acropolis in bold watercolor strokes of color and shares them over social media.

Art transcends time, languages and nations. Imagine the vast expressions of the human experience: a hand print on a cave wall, a stack of rocks, tales told from one generation to the next, a melody, a dance, manuscripts, and masterpieces both impermanent and immoveable. Each renders time irrelevant and secures the immortality of human emotions, endeavors, and accomplishments.

The creative process can be challenging, unpredictable and revealing, not only of the moment being recorded but also revealing of the nature of the creator. It is a humbling risk to expose one’s talents, skills and observations while juggling with the judgmental ego of perceived perfection.

Does a statesman’s art matter?

Pearce (@daviddpearce) is a native of Maine and, early in his career a foreign correspondent in Europe and the Middle East. He has had a long and distinguished career in the Foreign Service, including service in Afghanistan, Algeria, Syria, Iraq, Rome, Kuwait, and Jerusalem.

A self taught artist and only recently, Pearce started practicing with watercolors. While serving in Algeria, subject to security concerns and restricted movements, Pearce picked up the paint brush in his free time. Pearce explains,

“I chose to focus on watercolors because of the degree of difficulty, and the wonderfully luminous and unexpected surprises that happen as a watercolor evolves.”

In late 2013 Pearce began to use Twitter and share his watercolors of the Acropolis, the icon of world heritage that has over the centuries inspired numerous artists, architects, diplomats.

Pearce’s watercolors are vibrant, rich, and kinetic, evoking the legacy of the Acropolis that has entranced so many before in times of enlightenment, peace, war, abandonment, and, even in despair as pollution slowly eroded the luminous monument. With skilled brush strokes of cadmium, cobalt, or magenta, Pearce has secured another vehicle for a strong dialogue and respect between the countries.

When asked his first impression of the Acropolis which he first visited in 1971 as a student, Pearce said,

“Stupefied would be the right word. I couldn’t believe I was actually there, at such a famous place. Almost an out-of-body experience.”

Now as a painter of the Acropolis, Peace explains how it inspires him,

“This is the numen, the presiding spirit, of Greece. I never get over the thrill of seeing it looming above the capital. Every time is the first time. Every angle is special.”

Below are a series of paintings of the Acropolis from his private collection. His paintings are not available for purchase, at this time.

When asked his thoughts on how the creative process of working with watercolors inspires or affects his role as a foreign policy leader, Pearce responds, “Well, first, I simply enjoy the process, the zen of it. It clears the mind. When I am drawing or painting I am not thinking of anything else. All the cares and pressures of the day job are put aside. Second, I guess it would be fair to say that I am both introverted and extroverted (a Gemini, if that matters to anyone!).

So I consider watercolors and my work as a diplomat as really just different aspects of the same thing – an effort to see reality clearly, and then render it accurately, whether in paint or in words.”

Pearce authored Wary Partners: Diplomats and the Media more than 20 years ago “as a manual for practitioners – what are the ground rules, how to judge a reporter, how can a government official help or not help a reporter.” In retrospect, Pearce offers a unique perspective on foreign policy reporting and current world events having worked in the then mainstream media as a reporter and now as a diplomat.

When asked what he would add or change, Pearce shares, “Much has changed since then, not least the advent of social media. But I think the basic message is the same: events do not wait for embassy cables to home chanceries; media and social media engagement is essential, and it’s important to understand the basis on which that engagement should occur. The main thing, if you’re a government official, is to know where you fit in. There is no issue with people who know what they are talking about talking to the press; the issue comes when people who don’t know what they are talking about talk to the press.”

Just as art transcends perceived and real boundaries, so too does social media. When asked to explain the role or importance of social media in public diplomacy, Pearce explains, “It’s absolutely vital. That said, I confess I am a total Luddite. I resisted Twitter for years. I still don’t have a Facebook account (although the Embassy does). I hate email. I only became persuaded of the benefits of using Twitter when we were under attack at Embassy Kabul by the Taliban in late 2011. I saw that our Public Diplomacy team was able to monitor the siege of our embassy in real time by following the Twitter accounts of various journalists covering the story. That was real value. Still, I held out for another year, until I got to Athens and my very bright public diplomacy colleagues patiently walked me through the process and I finally caved, opening a Twitter account (@daviddpearce) in late 2013. Now, of course, they realize they have created a monster. I tweet not only the odd official stuff, but also my watercolors, pictures of ancient sites I visit, and random articles and images that I find interesting. One of the nicest surprises has been the enjoyment of interacting with the many delightful people who inhabit my modest corner of the Twittersphere.”

The United States established diplomatic relations with Greece upon its independence in 1868. Pearce is the 46th US Ambassador serving in Athens. On his impression of being an American in Greece today, he shares, “It is a great honor to be here. The relationship between the United States and Greece is long and deep, and you feel this everywhere. Across the street from my residence is a monument to the Americans who fought in the Greek War of Independence. Everywhere I go I am humbled, startled even, by the extraordinary respect accorded to the U.S. Ambassador to Greece. For me, as a former Classics student and wannabe archaeologist, it is a dream job, like being in the candy store.

As Greece emerges from an economic crisis, Pearce shares his observations of lessons learned? “Greece has been, is now, and will remain an important strategic partner of the United States. This is not just because there are a lot of Greek-Americans, or because of Greece’s contribution to Western civilization, or because we all esteem Pericles. It’s because what happens here actually matters – not only for Greece, but for the Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, and regional peace and security. It is therefore in the United States interest that Greece emerges from this prolonged economic crisis stronger, stable, and playing a stabilizing role in the region.”

When asked what has been the biggest surprise being in Greece, Pearce responds with, “I suppose it would be just the absolutely stunning physical beauty of the place. Everywhere you go – north to the mountains, south to the Peloponnese, east or west to the islands — is spectacular. You can’t go wrong. And I have found it matched by extraordinary, and genuine, warmth and hospitality.

I have, hands down, the best job in the Foreign Service.”

Digital diplomacy through authentic, personal and informed exchanges ushers in a new era of global foreign policy and relations.

Pearce brings forward this next generation of diplomacy as an American statesman, through his use of social media and his art of the Acropolis.

By Keri Douglas, founder and publisher of 9 Muses News on new trends in art, business and innovation. Copyright protected. All rights reserved.