LEWISTON – You might call Scott LoBaido a patriotic painter.

The New York City artist is on a mission to paint the American flag on 50 rooftops in 50 states by the end of the year. He began his latest work, a flowing U.S. flag on top of a Russell Street building occupied by an insurance company, on Friday and expected to wrap it up by the end of the weekend.

LoBaido said he is driven by patriotism.

“It’s an awesome thing when an artist can combine not only the visual product but the emotional – something they feel passionate about,” LoBaido said.

LoBaido began his quest, which he calls “Flags Across America,” in February when he painted a rooftop in North Carolina. He travels from state to state in a 1989 Chevy Suburban that has a giant flag painted across it.

He has visited most states in the South and West, painting the flags on homes, car dealerships, veterans facilities, churches, convenience stores and other buildings. Now in New England, he finished a building in Vermont last week and is scheduled to go to New Hampshire on Tuesday.

He plans to finish up in Virginia in December.

The Lewiston flag will include the initials “D.C.” and “S.D.,” in tribute to Danny Cunningham and Shawn Dostie, Lewiston natives killed while serving in Iraq. Cunningham was killed in April 2003 and Dostie in December 2005.

The project, LoBaido said, is dedicated to all veterans.