A Phoenix veteran who once used art to help rebuild his own life is now using it to help other veterans do the same, and he's gaining national recognition along the way.
Military veteran and printmaker Daniel Ragsdale Combs has been selected as Arizona's sole representative at the 2026 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival after earning a National First Place Gold Medal in Printmaking.
But for Daniel, the award is only part of the story. After suffering a brain injury during his military service, Daniel turned to art as a way to process trauma, rebuild confidence, and find purpose beyond the uniform.
Today, he creates intricate, award-winning prints while encouraging fellow veterans to explore creativity as a tool for healing, connection, and recovery.
ABC15's Cameron Polom met Daniel inside his Phoenix studio as he prepares to represent Arizona on a national stage, while sharing how art helped him navigate life after service. Watch the full story in the video player above.
