Hey all,
I thought I'd post a few of the other paintings I got back from my photographers recently, as they were also dropped off with Eric's painting for the raffle. I thought they were pretty cool for different reasons.
Christy Mathewson, 1900, 12" x 18"
Babe Ruth, 1920, 22" x 34"
Babe Ruth, September 28, 1932, 20" x 28"
The Matty was a lot of fun, especially since it's SUCH an early shot of him. He couldn't have been older than 19 or 20. And the weird insignia is from the Norfolk Phenoms of the Virginia League, who he played with before the Giants purchased his contract in July of 1900. Maaannn, those blue eyes!!
I've always wanted to do a painting of the Paul Thompson photograph, as I had already done a small study-like one of another from that same set. This one is my favorite of the three though, as Ruth looks so great as he's about to step into that pitch and shift his weight. I just felt like the movement and force of his gesture was too much to deny. Hopefully I did it justice on the canvas. And obviously, that motif of having the background in the shade with Babe being carved out with some of those light spots, that's the kind of stuff I LOVE.
The third Babe, well, if you haven't seen it and want to read more about the thought processes behind it, go here:
http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=197463
And since this one's currently on the easel and I'm trying to finish it off, I figured it was worth showing. It's one of the older commissions I spoke of in the raffle thread - the client's been waiting for quite some time for it.
Babe Ruth, October 6, 1915, 40" x 34"
My goal is to get some of the other ones I've neglected over time done and outta here. It's been too long.
But in regards to the painting, it's amazing to think that only 774 people were at the Polo Grounds that day to see a doubleheader against the Yankees. Apparently Carrigan used a bunch of his starters for both contests, treating the two games like a dress rehearsal for the World Series, which would start two days later at the Baker Bowl.
Anywho, it's coming along. The stands still need some work, as does the dirt and grass, but they're all getting there. It's starting to feel like the chilly October day it's supposed to be.
I hope you dig them!! Any comments or questions are always welcome.
Thanks again,
Graig