That's pretty funny, Irv!

Since everyone pitched in on a nice gift for Chris I think we all deserve thank you cards. I'll take a '56 Mantle.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Steven,
That's an idea.

billyb

UNBELIEVABLE! I am blown away! Best news in a very long time. Thanks to Graig for agreeing to this and to Bill for organization - and to everyone who joined it to make it a possibility. This is my third such raffle and I too was a mere body or two away before, so I know how it feels.

I apologize for not monitoring this closely at the end. I just got home from work and put my lovely 15 month old daughter to bed and jumped into helping my wife (also very lovely) finish packing for our inter-provincial move happening on Friday. We are moving from Calgary to Vancouver and I also had my last day at work today.

What a week this is already!

I will certainly post the steps in the process all along but I need a few days to get the move out of the way.

Thanks again everyone!

BBT the good news is you won. The bad news is that with the exchange rate, you won a 4x6. :D

Can't wait to see the chosen image. Blessings to you in your move!

Congrats Chris! Jealous!

Congrats. Looking forward to seeing what you pick.

Chris,
Sounds as if you have a lot on the table right now.

Do you have any ideas, as to who you subject may be for you painting. If you are not sure, I am sure there are a few here who can give some suggestions.

Congrats Chris, and good luck with the move.

Hi Bill -

I have a few ideas but nothing set in stone. Looking forward to getting some input.

Thanks Joe!

Thanks Scott!

Congrats, Chris!!

Since you asked for ideas... you could go for this... I'd LOVE to see Keindler's take on this one:

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/m...mokingPipe.jpg


or... since you're from Canada...how about John McGraw, Christie Mathewson and Joe Thornton lifting the Stanley Cup that the Sharks will win this year?

You're welcome!

The Canadian will go with a Canadian
 

Either go with Joey Votto or this guy:

Congrats Chris!

Thanks Mike and everyone for their kind congrats and good-natured, Canuck-themed pokes and suggestions.

Despite a crazy schedule (for both of us) Graig and I were able to have a kick-off chat and with a tad more feedback (helping me to rule out some ideas) I will be delighted to post some possible images for the board's feedback.

I look forward to sharing this experience via the threads with anyone who finds it interesting. Thanks again for the participation and kind kudos!

Chris,
Any updates? Have any subjects in mind? Are you staying with baseball related?

If I won, I was considering one of these if, Graig hadn't painted it already?

Tons of choices out there but it would be a great feeling knowing whatever you pick is going to be put to canvas by Graig.

I think a good unibrow Wally Moon would look good

Huge congrats, Chris! This is awesome for you.

If it were me, I'd keep your dialogue between Graig & you private (what painting you're selecting, size, etc), until, and only if, you wish to share your selected painting with the board. To me, it would be a very personal and private thing, once you open it up to the board for opinions, it'll be a free for all. Just my 2 cents.

MVSNYC,

MVS, most who participated, feel a connection with Chris's painting. If he is having any trouble at selecting a photo for his painting, there are many here that would be willing to share their photos and ideas with Chris. Yes he can keep it personal if he wishes, especially the final decision, but it is that connection between all the members who were involved that makes these paintings from the raffle, very special.
To put icing on the cake for Chris, Graig has in the past, and I assume he will do the same again, he will post updated pictures of Chris's painting, and describe the process of how Graig creates his masterpieces. There is no other painter I know, that provides a series of these photos and description that Chris will be getting, and we get to see the process as well. Those pictures are collectible as well and something Chris can share with family and friends when they admire the painting in amazement.
MVS, we started these raffles for the purpose of thanking all the Net54 members, who are the best watch dogs in our sports collectible hobby. One gets to win this painting, the rest at least get the feeling of helping to create it. If it was not for all, the painting would not exist.

billyb

Billy, you missed my point...I agree with most of what you said...I know Graig, as well as own an example of his work (which is fantastic). I always love seeing the progress and process of his paintings, as they unfold. I'd LOVE to see that here as well, if Chris is willing to have that shared with us.

My point was, the selection process is something very special and personal (and potentially private). It can be overwhelming to have hundreds (literally) of opinions flying in about what to have Graig paint...THAT part of it, IMO, is the special and very personal part...If he choses to open that up to the board, cool, but I was just warning him that they'll be tons of opinions, and I'm not so sure I'd want that if it were me.

ETA: The raffle was a lot of fun, and a very cool thing for Graig & you to do. Thank you for organizing.

Moving is exhausting! I didn't physically shift our furniture etc to Vancouver but I did fly with my 15-month old daughter and 16 year old cat while my wife drove the 11 hour, 700 mile route through the Rockies (with a childhood friend and a few precious items in our car - for the road trip experience of it all).

"Camping"' in the new place until Wednesday when the truck with our stuff arrives. I apologize to all for being less available than one might be after such a win - but I assure you that I am extremely excited about this turn of good luck and ready to dive in to process with the board coming along with me.

First I must share a shot of Vancouver taken a few blocks from my new home.


http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/...psvgf2rss1.jpg

MVS,
Yea, I went a little overboard with my response. But in the first two raffles, the responses were not overwhelming, and once the subject was announced, most of the photos were of the subject that the winners chose, giving them additional choices.
Chris is free then to discuss any photos he will see, with Graig, and the final decision, will be in private, between Chris and Graig. I too recommend to Chris, to make his final decision, in private with Graig.

I appreciate what you are saying and also what Bill has illustrated about being inclusive and transparent as well.

I expect to get some thoughtful comments and great suggestions and believe that I will raise some eyebrows with at least one of my options under consideration(pls see my next post for more on that). I look forward to it all
and after having had a great conversation with Graig I am even more determined to pick a subject that resonates with me and one that I will enjoy each and every time I view it.

Chris,
Looking at that picture, you have no phone, all the telephone poles are still laying on the ground.....LOL

Just kidding, that looks great. Looks like you are going to like the new location.

"...and after having had a great conversation with Graig I am even more determined to pick a subject that resonates with me and one that I will enjoy each and every time I view it."

And that's what it's all about, Chris.

Enjoy the process. Share what you wish.

I couldn't agree more

I like your style Irv!

Perhaps not a surprise to some, I am looking to ask Graig to paint a Toronto Blue Jays image. I grew up in Toronto and have been a Jays fan for 40 years (my Dad took me the team's first ever game in 1977 - i will post pics of my ticket stub and program when my belongings arrive); and worked at the SkyDome/Rogers Centre for over 15 years.

I love baseball. If it's Miami at Milwaukee - and I'm in town - I'm there! Slugfests, pitchers duels, extra innings, Spring Training....love it! I love the sights and sounds, the smells, the cadence of the game and the history.

While there are dozens of paintings of Graig's that I would be humbled to own and each portraying a subject from the pantheon of baseball - Ruth, Aaron, Gerhig, Robinson, Mays - amazing, but when I ask myself these questions - "Can I have a Yankee/Red Sox on my wall and enjoy it?" or "What connection do I have to Mathewson or Cobb?" - I answer "no" and "very little". I know that it may not be a popular choice - but it has to be a Blue Jay. Best part? Graig is into it too!

I have a short list and would love to hear the board's feedback. If you know of any other angles of these images pls share. Likewise if you think Dave Stieb's no-hitter should be considered - I'm all ears. If you hate the idea, that's OK too. I'm a big boy. I can take it.

Joe Carter ends the 1993 WS with one swing. I was there!

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/...pswvqetoxp.jpg

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9zkw1mty.jpg


http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/...pszlwrtby1.jpg

Devo's Catch in Game 3 of 1992 WS (it was a triple play and I don't care what the umps said!). To note: I own the jersey Devon was wearing

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/...psc4j2fc1b.jpg

Bell clinched the first AL East Pennant in '85 (missed this game but was at Game 7 of the ALCS - damn you Jim Sundberg)



http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/...pscwaxs4rg.jpg

Bautista's Flip - 2015 ALDS. I know, a lot of people think he disrespected everyone including the Pope, but I and many of my fellow Jays fans see it clearly as a cathartic wiping away of 22 years of playoff drought. Also, I collect Jose specifically and have a jersey, bat, and 75% of his career HR game tix)


http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/...psrxyrorgz.jpg

Let me hear ya!

I really like that top picture of Joe Carter. It would be an amazing paining.

With owning the jersey Devo was wearing in the picture of his catch it would also be nice. It would be a great combo displayed next to each other.

Chris,
You are one avid Blue Jay fan, or I should say passionate fan. I think you are making a great choice. When a fan is as dedicated as you are, how can it be another team. This is all about making a dream come true, this is yours, enjoy.
How many Blue Jays photos are out there?

Chris - Congratulations and I hope you really enjoy the resulting masterpiece Graig will create for you!

IMHO, a Joe Carter reaction shot HAS to be the selection.

As a Braves' fan, I would deem it a great favor if you would call as little attention as possible to the 1992 series...the 1993 World Series is the one you want!

We're all looking forward to seeing the results...thanks for sharing the process with us.

-Raymond

Thanks Ben. I like this version a lot as well


http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9hwvunrp.jpg

Thanks Bill. There are some nice images/events - Alomar with his arms up from the 1993 ALCS; Singer's first pitch in 1977; 1992 WS clinch mob; Winfield kills a seagull ;)

Thanks Raymond! I don't know if the world is ready for "Wild Thing's" mullet to be captured on canvas for posterity ;)

While I like that first picture of Carter, I would probably go for this one. I just love the motion within the stillness of the photo. Plus the ball being there is pretty cool as well.

Thanks Mark. Strangely, I have never really pondered the batting images from Joe's HR at bat. I think that it is that I am so drawn to the joy he exudes when he leaves the box.

Being from Philly, that is a sad picture

Lots of great choices out there, Chris, and you and others have shown many great options/pieces, but my personal choice would be the one I posted that you commented on.

I wrote some time ago, that if I won, I would choose the 1958 Topps Mantle/Aaron Batting foes pic, but then it got me thinking, has Graig painted any Jay's players or Jay's moments?

Picking any pic from their world series wins would be awesome, but picking one from their first would be best imo.

Not an easy task, but good luck.

(Just some more to look at https://www.google.ca/search?q=toron...sAQIGg&dpr=1.5)

A screenshot from a cool angle. But the joy of Joe Carter running the bases is infectious indeed. You'd smile walking past it every day.

http://s32.postimg.org/kesrvtfvp/Scr...1_11_28_36.png

Dewey - that's WAY COOL!!!

outta be a finalist at least.

- but I still think a reaction shot is best. IMHO

I like the one that shows Carter from the back with his arms raised and with Morandini (?) leaving the field. That is an awesome shot.

Tom C

Whatever you choose has to have a good shot of his face or what's the point?

I tend to agree, but do like all the images posted.

Congratulations Chris!!!! I agree with Tom C's choice with Carter's back and Mickey Morindini walking off. That shot really captures the emotion of the moment. As a lifelong Phillies fan (since 1963) it really conjures up some bad memories. Thanks a lot.....:):).

Seriously, which ever shot you choose you won't be disappointed in the result. I'm fortunate to own several of Graig's paintings and the pictures don't do them justice. Graig' the best and you'll cherish and enjoy your painting for many years to come.

All the best.

Mike G

Thanks Mike! I appreciate it. In honour of the Jays playing Texas at home for the first time since Game 5 of the ALDS...


https://vine.co/v/eEPAEV7FgFi

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/...psjtpefq45.png

Picked my image....
 

Thanks for responses, ideas and comments everyone!

I have had some great chats/emails with Graig and really thought long and hard about my choices. In the end, I think that I will surprise a few of you - but pls understand that this image means a lot to me (I'll explain below).

It was down to Joe Carter, '93 WS HR "trot" OR Jose Bautista's emphatic bat flip, 2015 ALDS.

I've decided to go with Joey instead of Joe

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9ck3zgve.jpg


I would be ecstatic with a Joe Carter image but when I look back at last season and how I had something to cheer about after over two decades of zero playoff baseball. I didn't miss a game (live or PVR) and despite a 4 hour flight, attended two regular season and two ALDS games and I was able to get into the fun with my daughter (she has a Bautista doll and at 8 months, could search for it by name - pls see photo below). Also included is a photo of my wife Katie with Millie and "friends" during the 2016 season opener (it was an early Sat in Calgary - pls excuse the PJs).

Even though it looks like Jose won't be re-signed at the end of this year (which I realize is a business decision, but like Carter, Alomar, Bell, Delgado etc, he deserves to have a place with the Jays greats) what he did while a Jay has been very special. Two HR titles, 54 bombs in 2010. Really the only star for a long while. I also have a modest Bautista player collection that this will go great with.

Carter's HR now, when looking back, seems like a cherry on top of a sundae that I couldn't finish. An embarrassment of riches from 1985-1993. All those great moments from that run blend into one pleasant memory. Bautista gave me a fresh one to hang on to and pass along to my daughter.

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/...psrtv9ojct.jpg


http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/...psagtehxfj.jpg

The selection over Joe and the bat flip itself-- a bit unorthodox. I love it! There's no need for you to explain your decision, but I'm glad for the insight. I totally get it. I was harboring the idea, if I won, to pic an image from the Dodgers victory over the Cardinals in the 2004 NLDS. It was their first playoff win since 1988 World Series and I watched it in the labor and delivery suite with my wife and our child born an hour before the game. A good day! :) It just goes to show that so many factors play into these wonderfully personal choices. You're gonna enjoy that bat flip for a long, long time.

Thanks Dewey! I appreciate it!

That pic, celebration will go down in infamy.

Great choice!

Looking forward to seeing it completed.

Congrats again, fellow Canuck. :)