Here's what's been on the easel this weekend. A biggie at 38"x60", this is a commission that I've finally been getting around to finishing. Or at least, getting close to finishing. I hope.

My father has threatened to disown me on numerous occasions for this one. Like most Yankee fans his age, I don't think he's ever gotten over this moment...and I don't think he ever will...and I can't blame him:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...indler/Maz.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ndler/Maz2.jpg

It's got a ways to go, but hopefully I can get it done and out of my sights before he sees it again. There's just so much darn information in there, especially with the wall, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, the scoreboard, and that damn crowd in left. It's driving me bananas!

As usual, please excuse the cruddy photography. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Graig

Graig, another awesome masterpiece

I love seeing the ball in flight on that one...

Does anyone know what the ball had to clear at Forbes' Left Field, to be considered a home run (did it have to clear that giant scoreboard?) Did Maz really hit his homer over that scoreboard (to the right of the clock) as it appears? I've read numerous times that his homer barely made it out, but have never seen clear footage of the ball's flight, or where it ended up.

Also... What's with the scaffolding at the base of the light tower in left? The red brick fence is clearly behind that scaffolding. Seems like quite the obstacle to overcome, if that was truly in the field of play!

You're right Graig... there's a lot going on in that busy painting (which is magnificent, btw!)

From the footage that I've seen, Maz's hr actually went to the right of the scoreboard (facing it) and over that wall (in Graig's painting, you can see the fielder, which is Yogi Berra). The footage showed him going to the warning track and then pealing off as the ball went over the wall... I would consider that Left-Center field.

Knowing Graig, I wouldn't doubt if he flipped every stone for evidence attesting to the ball's true flight and destination before he sketched this out.

What a tremendous piece, Graig!

This appears to be taken very accurately from a famous photograph of Mazeroski's hr. Remember, don't think two dimensionally...it looks like the ball
is going over the scoreboard but if you were to see the ball keep going you would see it go in front of the scaffolding and over to left center.

Thanks for all of the compliments, guys!

The photo is indeed a famous one. Taken by Marvin E. Newman, it has to be one of my favorite photographs of all time. He talked about it in a special on HBO, something about sports photography. I remember him (or a critic) mentioning that it was so genius because of all of the information was there: the clock with the time of day, the scoreboard, Maz in mid-swing, light conditions, Yogi in left-center, and awesomely enough, the ball in mid-flight. I don't think anyone could have timed it better.

Here's some footage of that last play: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-zjk...eature=related

And man, was it a bitch getting all of this color right. And it will most likely continue to be a bitch...

Here's what I was playing around with today:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/DSCN2564.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/DSCN2563.jpg

The scenes from the day that Gehrig broke his streak have always had a place in my heart. Aside from the great images of Lou gazing out of the dugout longingly, they're also beautiful shots of Babe Dahlgren, his replacement at first. Being friends with Matt Dahlgren (his grandson) for so long, I've really come to appreciate the whole scenario from a different perspective. I can't imagine what it must have been like to be called upon to fill the shoes of one's idol. I can't wait to get some paintings done of that great man as well.

Anywho, this one's got a LONG way to go, but I thought Gehrig's face is starting to come together. Now I just need to block everything else in! Hopefully the client approves...

Oh, and also, VERY many thanks go out to a kind and generous man, who was nice enough to let me borrow the Matty painting to be re-photographed by my normal guys in the city. The guy I used before did an alright job, but I was never thrilled about the work. Now, I am MUCH happier with these results, as this scan is more true to the original painting.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ewson_1911.jpg

Again, thank you SO much jacksons!

Hope you all enjoy. And aren't sick of these posts.

On Forbes Field...
 

Without studying any old photos, not only do I recall the cage around the light standards, the batting cage was on wheels and was dragged out to deep center field for storage during the game. Love those quirky obstacles in the old ballparks!

(I don't mean to hijack the artwork thread)

Graig, what's on the easel this weekend?
 

or perhaps this past week, if you are on Thanksgiving hiatus?