Some threads you just can't unread. :eek::eek::eek::eek:

Sorry about that, everyone. Ben brings out the disgusting in me.

:o

Graig

Hey guys,

Here are a few more who came back from the photographers yesterday:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...y_April_18.jpg
Babe Ruth, Bob Meusel, Wally Pipp, etc., April 18, 1923, 30" x 32"

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...1_Portrait.jpg
Babe Ruth, 1921, 9" x 12"

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...n_Portrait.jpg
Miller Huggins, 1927, 9" x 12"

A bit Yankee-heavy. Yeeeah, but that's not a bad thing, right?

Anywho, I hope ya dig 'em!

Graig

Dude,
How do you do that?
Freaking awesome again.
I really love the Huggins. Such detail and character in his face. The fabric appears real.

Is the Ruth painted in the soft focus style Dean wanted you to use, like the other Ruth you showed a while back? I have to say that this one is really endearing. There is something very warm and inviting about the softness.

Man...I have to get another one!

Best,
Mark

Graig

Looking forward to seeing your first hockey painting :)

Wow.. These are awesome. I love them all but especially the huggins

Brian, you and I both. Now that I've FINALLY secured the rights to that image, it'll be happening soon. And it'll be exciting, I assure you.

Mark, actually, that Ruth portrait was painted the plain ol' normal way. The image that was working with does have somewhat of a soft focus, and it seemed that whenever I tried to tighten up certain areas, it just never looked right. So, in this case I decided to keep everything soft and let Babe's eyes tell the story. Or something.

Ben, you're my hero.

Graig

Graig,
Beautiful as always, especially the group shot. I swear, if I could just position it right on my screen, those '23 Yanks would just march right on out onto my desk :p I wonder if their stepping in unison was intentional, or just happened to appear that way in the photograph?

I've always thought that the Gehrig that Lordstan has was your best, and normally I would change that to say the Huggins was now your best, but there are no words to describe how good that Ruth is. WOW! The only way you can top that is to make it talk. :D

Thanks a lot, guys.

Lance, from all of the photos I've seen from Opening Day that year, it seems that both teams were marching in unison (or were trying to). I wonder if it was practiced? Or maybe it was some leftover recollections of the WWI drills from a few years prior? Or maybe the photographer happened to be at the right place at the right time?

I wish we had some footage of it!

Graig

Geez Mike!.
My pic went from #1 to #3 on your list, in one post or Graig's.

Graig,
Keep up the good work. We need more posts!

Best,
Mark

I have a question,

which subject have you painted most, babe ruth?

how many paintings have you done with ruth in them?

just curious?

Hey Travis,

Babe is definitely the winner in this category. In terms of finished pieces with Ruth as the main subject, or as part of a group, I've done 15 of the big guy. Gehrig is a bit behind, appearing in 11 finished pieces. However, in terms of unfinished ones, I have at least another 4 Ruth's and 3 Gehrigs. For the most part, there aren't many ballplayers who are close in terms of total numbers. I'm desperately trying to make it a bit of a more even fight, though!

Graig

Graig,

That's great.

Have you ever painted the same image twice or have requests for it. i.e. famous photos, babe ruth leaning on bat, cobb sliding into third, etc.?

Hey Travis,

I generally don't paint the same image twice, as I want each owner to have one-of-one pieces. However, there have been one or two times in which an original has been badly damaged, and then the painting has been recreated. Also, in one particular instance, I did have a client who wanted an image that I had already painted years before, and while I originally said 'no', the owner of the first painting caught wind of it, and REALLY wanted me to do the new one for the fella.

In all of those instances, I do make sure that if nothing else, the size of the canvas is different so as to not confuse it with the other version.

But either way, it's not something I'm a fan of doing.

Graig

Hey all,

Here's a final update before the National - which I'm excited as all heck to be going to again!!

A few overlooked ballplayers, and one legend. The color correction might not be perfect yet, but it's close!

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ne_22_1939.jpg
Babe Dahlgren, June 22, 1939, 9" x 12"

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...Dugan_1926.jpg
Joe Dugan, 1926, 9" x 12"

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ehrig_1938.jpg
Lou Gehrig, 1928, 9" x 12"

Hope y'all dig 'em. Any kind of comment is always appreciated!

Graig

Horrible work.. You are the worst.

Enjoy the airport for the next few days.

:p <= Me laughing while wife looks on quizzically. Good one.

They are not all that horrible, Graig ;)

Of course they're amazing.... A quick question on the Gehrig...

Is that a famous image of Gehrig? I know some of your paintings are based on well known images, and some are far more obscure. The reason I ask is that I just picked up a cool life-size bronze bust of Lou, and it appears to match that image to a tee. Perhaps its just a similar pose, but I am thinking the sculptor may have used the same image as you did for your painting.

Thanks and great stuff!
Mark

Ben,
I think you're being a little harsh. I mean...at least he has gotten better over the years. No?

All Kidding aside, I have to say that these are really great. I can't decide which I like the best. That's saying a lot considering how partial I am to Gehrig.
Wow...Just Wow.
Really special dude!

Hey all,

Hope everyone's having a nice end to their summers. Lord knows it's been hot as all hell in New York. :cool:

Here are two more I just got back from the photographers:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...914_Conlon.jpg
Walter Johnson, 1914, 20" x 20"

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1..._1912_Bats.jpg
Honus Wagner, 1912, 24" x 30"

These are two of my favorite images, by far. I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Honus' sweater, as well as Walter's gaze in that Conlon image. A special thanks has to go out to Hank Thomas for the latter, as he provided me with the correct info on his granddad's eyes.

As per usual, all comments and suggestions are always appreciated.

Thanks,

Graig

Amazing as usual...great work!

Simply stunning wow,,,

Stunning bro. Amazing work!!

Best,

Andy

DAMN!!!! I think you might be getting better...:)

just wow.

I've exhausted all my adjectives earlier in this thread.

Thanks so much, everyone!! :)

I'm thrilled you dig these two!

Graig

Those are just crazy man!
How is it possible that you're getting better?
Johnson's stare is out of this world.
Holy crap! Is it me or does Wagner's sweater actually look furry?

Dude. I agree with terjung. I have run out of new adjectives.
Very very special!
Keep up the great work.

Mark

I'm not saying those paintings are lifelike, but I just had a nice conversation with the Walter Johnson...he says hi by the way. :D

Beautiful paintings. Anybody would be proud to hang them.

Freaking awesome as always. Great realism. I love them. Congrats Graig...

Graig, they are fantastic, then again all your work is.
Was great spending time with you at the National a few weeks ago.

The pics just keep getting better and better. You have an amazing talent.

Walter is exceptional and I love the Honus Wagner!

Graig,
I hope you kept good notes on your color mix for "WaJo Blue" because once Johnson fans get a look at that piercing gaze, I think you're going to be doing a lot more "Big Train" portraits!

I think the detail in Johnson's uniform and Wagner's sweater are particularly striking in these. I'm pretty sure that my computer monitor is not 3-D, but I swear those W's on Johnson's uniforms are raised, and can almost feel the fuzzy texture of Wagner's sweater. Nicely done!

Graig - Your talent and attention to detail are spectacular. I feel privileged to now own the two gems below. Thank you.

Your newest fan,

Scott

Graig - I should add that I had never before purchased any type of sports art (I collect game used bats primarily), but I find your art so compelling that I made the leap. Thanks for bringing our childhood heros to life.

Scott

Nice job, Scott! What a great pair of Graig's paintings to own!

Scott,
Congrats on the paintings. I have always thought that Mays was one of his best. So realistic. He really breathed some life into that one.
I don't know how he does it.

Best,
Mark

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...99/Johnson.jpg

Same pose, but with a striking difference on the eye color. Other comparisons aside, looks like the SMR cover artist should have consulted with Hank too!

Graig's is still my favorite, but this one showing up so close to his own unveiling just begged for a comparison.

Hey everyone,

I'm sorry about the delay in responding to everyone. Dean's had me chained to the easel for the past week or so, and it's been tough to form enough cohesive sentences to actually put down a proper reply. I only feel like I'm starting to come up for air now. Though of course, I have to get back to it to finish up more stuff.

But seriously, thank you ALL for your wonderful comments and support. I'm so incredibly thrilled that you all continue to dig what I do, and even take time out of your day to write anything about it. I really appreciate it more than I can adequately articulate.

Scott, thank you so much for the purchase! I certainly hope you enjoy the paintings when you have them in hand. I'm kinda glad that someone got the Mays and the Mantle together, especially since they're pretty much linked forever. I suppose a portrait of Duke is in order too at some point, though I still find it hard to believe that I haven't done one. Regardless, I might as well get all of the NY centerfielders in there.

The Mantle is just about done, though it's waiting for a glaze or two, final varnish and then to be photographed. But here's a sneak peak at the (almost) end results:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ntle1955-2.jpg

It's not super color-corrected, but you'll probably get the idea. Either way, when they're both in your possession, I hope you love 'em.

Lance, is that the most recent SMR? I hadn't seen that painting yet. It looks like it's an Arthur K. Miller? I guess that Johnson image resonated with a lot of artists, as I know Ron Stark did a version of it too, though I have trouble finding a nice screengrab of it.

Anywho, thanks again for everything guys. I'll try to keep it all coming!

Graig

It is indeed an Arthur Miller painting, and is on the cover of the latest SMR (October 2012). Oddly enough, the credits read: "Cover Photo Arthur Miller" which threw me for a second when I was writing the above post or I would have included his name then. I guess they just don't change their template when the cover features a painting rather than a photograph.

Graig:

Thanks for the peak at the almost completed Mantle. It looks fantastic! I look forward to having Mickey and Willie together looking good when Mickey is fully completed done (no rush). Dean was a pleasure to deal with.

Keep up the great work.

Best,

Scott

Scott, I'm glad Dean was good to deal with. He's a silly man. But more importantly, I'm thrilled that you're getting both of them. I'm really loving the Mantle, so it'll be sad to see it leave the studio! Do you have any ideas as to how you're gonna display them?

Lance, that sort of thing happens a lot, from what I've seen. Even in larger books and publications of that nature. If there's a painted cover, chances are, it'll probably still be called a 'photo'. And it happens in real life too, as I've had a lot of people call my paintings drawings. Which is totally fine and all, but still is a bit jarring to hear the first time.

Graig, I am really pleased and encouraged to hear how much you are loving the mantle and looking forward to seeing it in final form. I am still thinking through how I am going to display the mantle and the mays. Willie and mickey will certainly be together, though!

Best regards,

Scott

Those W's are amazing! The comments were so focused on his gaze that I thought I was the only one noticing the patches on the sleeves. And the same goes for the "NY" emblem on Mays' hat, its like you can see the 3D depth in a 2D drawing. Can't stop staring!

Thanks a lot, Rob! :)

Graig

Hey all,

So, I got these back (or at least, scans of them) from the photographers today, and I thought I'd share the motley crew.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...2_Portrait.jpg
Ty Cobb, 1912, 9" x 12"

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...hacht_1936.jpg
Al Schacht, 1936, 9" x 12"

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...trait_Left.jpg
Mickey Mantle, May 14, 1955, 9" x 12"

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...way_Dugout.jpg
Mickey Mantle, 1956, 16" x 20"

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ltren_1903.jpg
George Van Haltren, 1903, 20" x 20"

The George Van Haltren is a new favorite of mine I think, and it's going to my brother as a wedding present. Honestly, how can you deny that mustache?

So, regardless, feel free to throw any comments my way. I hope you enjoy 'em!

Graig

Never mind Georgie's 'stache, that jersey is amazing! I can even see the fuzz on its contours. Although I frequently look through this thread and am extremely impressed w/your body of work I only comment on the few that really leap out at me. This is one, your Matty portrait was another and I believe an action shot of Babe Ruth w/the Braves (did I imagine that one?).

Have you ever considered painting historical scenes? Old time battles for instance. You'd be a natural.

Howard
One time art historian

Just went through the thread and the Ruth painting I had in mind was the November 1934 one of the Babe in a HR derby. The non-Yankee uniform threw me off. A fantastic piece in any case.