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09-29-2004, 04:18 PM
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#1
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CAFE & BUSINESS MODERATOR
SOG Member
FT Professional
Joined: Jul 2001
Seattle, WA
Posts: 3,421
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Ballplayer
I just completed this portrait in a ten-day whirlwind of painting. (If there are no images to look at yet, it’s because my computer is still having trouble posting them. I have asked Cynthia if she would kindly add the images for me.) The painting will be unveiled in front of the subject, and in front of 40,000 of his closest friends, on Saturday.
This ballplayer is Edgar Martinez, designated hitter star of the Seattle Mariners pro ball club. The painting will be presented to him after Saturday’s game, at the ballpark, by the CEO of the Mariners, as part of an hour-long televised celebration to commemorate Edgar’s retirement after 18 years on the team.
The background is very different from what I normally paint. I worked from two or three photos that were provided by the team’s staff photographer. (Yes, I have a signed contract with permission to use those images, and to use the likeness of the player. My contract also allows me to use the photos of the resulting painting in my marketing.)
Those original photos seemed so static and didn’t capture any of the energy I wanted to convey, that this situation seemed to require. The motion blur effect of the background is my attempt to communicate the explosive power in this player’s imminent swing, and the noise and excitement of the crowd. I also wanted to depict his concentration, his calm in the center of the storm around him, as it were, as he gets ready for the pitch.
I got involved in this project after talking to one of our neighbors, who is the TV sportscaster for the team. He put me in touch with the Marketing VP for the ball club and we worked out all the details. I then began a marathon of painting 10 hours a day for 10 days straight, to get it done in time for the presentation on October 2nd.
I’m exhausted but exhilarated. I don’t ever want to have to do a painting on such a tight deadline again, though. Absolutely nothing in my life got done, other than this painting, during that time. (Even now, I am hoping it will be dry enough for me to deliver to the stadium tomorrow!)
It was a lot of fun to paint, though, and I’d love to do more sports portraits. I find the visual imagery of sports very appealing. I’m drawn to the energy of the action and I also like the strength and power of the figures themselves. (This is the muscular man in tight white pants I referred to in another thread!)
Anyway, I have emailed photos of the painting to the Mariners Marketing VP and he likes it, so that’s always a relief. He’ll see the painting in person tomorrow. I also hope the subject likes it when it gets unveiled on Saturday. Wish me luck!
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09-29-2004, 04:51 PM
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#2
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'09 Third Place PSOA Ohio Chapter Competition
Joined: Aug 2003
Cleveland, OH
Posts: 1,382
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Bravo!!
Wow, what a great marketing opportunity! No images, yet, so I will be back to view it. I am sure it is wonderful. Good luck Saturday!!! 
__________________
Pat Joyce
[url]www.portraitsbypatjoyce.com
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09-29-2004, 05:25 PM
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#3
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Juried Member
Joined: Feb 2003
St. Louis, MO
Posts: 216
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Hi Michele,
This looks great! The motion blur in the background does convey the feeling of energy and concentration in the middle of the storm, as you intended.
Would you tell us what is the size of the original?
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09-29-2004, 05:37 PM
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#4
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CAFE & BUSINESS MODERATOR
SOG Member
FT Professional
Joined: Jul 2001
Seattle, WA
Posts: 3,421
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The painting is 36x48".
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09-29-2004, 05:40 PM
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#5
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SENIOR MODERATOR
SOG Member
FT Professional, Author
'03 Finalist, PSofATL
'02 Finalist, PSofATL
'02 1st Place, WCSPA
'01 Honors, WCSPA
Featured in Artists Mag.
Joined: Jun 2001
Arizona
Posts: 2,417
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Oh, this is way too exciting! Congratulations!
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09-29-2004, 05:44 PM
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#6
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Approved Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,730
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Way to go girl!
A beautiful, strong finish, if I may say so! Nice light on the figure and the background really adds to that feeling of power and motion.
Stuart, Washington's famous limner once did a huge painting of that president in front of the backside of his horse in 10 days. It is at the Boston Museum. At that juncture in time I am usually ruminating over the color theme.
The Franklin Mint uses sports celebrity paintings on their limited edition plates. They use some of the top illustrators in the country, so I imagine it is well paid. They are always looking for new artists and with an intro like this there could be some interest.
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09-29-2004, 05:53 PM
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#7
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SOG Member
FT Professional
'04 Merit Award PSA
'04 Best Portfolio PSA
'03 Honors Artists Magazine
'01 Second Prize ASOPA
Perm. Collection- Ntl. Portrait Gallery
Perm. Collection- Met
Leads Workshops
Joined: May 2002
Great Neck, NY
Posts: 1,039
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Bravo! You succeeded on all counts. A proverbial home run!
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09-29-2004, 05:58 PM
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#8
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CAFE & BUSINESS MODERATOR
SOG Member
FT Professional
Joined: Jul 2001
Seattle, WA
Posts: 3,421
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Thanks folks!
Thanks especially, Sharon for the tip about the Franklin Mint thing. I will look into that.
There is also a possibility for a licensing agreement for limited edition reproductions of this image that the ball club could sell in their souvenir shops. Maybe.... We'll see if that goes anywhere.
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09-29-2004, 08:16 PM
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#9
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Juried Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Gainesville, GA
Posts: 1,223
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Wonderful!
What a wonderful painting, Michelle! Congratulations!
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09-29-2004, 09:09 PM
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#10
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CRITIQUES MODERATOR
'06 Cert of Excel PSOA
'05 Excep Merit PSOA
FTPro & Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,731
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Oh Michele, this is such wonderful news!
This is a strong "action" painting and a spectacular promotional coup. I know how hard you have been working all year, and I can't think of any artist who more deserves the sound of eighty thousand hands clapping.
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