On the easel...

[GKreindler]

Thanks so much for the kind words, everyone.

Here's another scan I got back from the photographers:


Babe Ruth, October 6, 1915, 40" x 32"

It's one of the few commissions I've had from the board that I've been a bit lax on, so I'm trying to finish those up over the next few months, especially since some of you have been waiting rather long and patiently.

Anywho, the painting was a lot of fun, though also a big challenge. The photo it was created from has some really interesting features in it, many of which were actually physical defects in the negative (chemical stains, for the most part). Combine those with the areas that are pretty soft and out of focus anyways, and you have a recipe for some laaaattee nights. But in the end, I think that I was able to pull it off and make a nice painting. Ruth just REALLY pops from the background of the Polo Grounds, which was my main overall concern from the get-go. Well, that and a likeness, of course. And what also makes me happy is that the thing feels like a cold October afternoon. All of these things had much to do with a melange of grays that are in the image, be they from the facade of old ballpark, Babe's uniform, or even the sky - all of them had to be distinctly different and interesting.

It's an interesting thing to think about now, what-with the Sox being in town to play the rival Yankees on the last day of the season, and having the place so empty. In fact, only 774 people were at the Polo Grounds to see that doubleheader, one that was more of a World Series rehearsal than anything (Carrigan gave all of his big starters work in those two games). As a matter of fact, a LOT of the better-known images of Ruth from 1915 are from this actual game, whether they're of him warming up, standing with the other pitchers and posing for photographers (including Bain), or even standing in line with the entire team for a large panoramic photograph. Could you imagine seeing a sight like that now? I mean, Babe Ruth wasn't really Babe Ruth yet, but having Boston come to New York when they were scheduled to start the World Series less than 48 hours later and have less than a thousand people on hand? Obviously, that sort of thing was somewhat common in the game in those days, but man, it certainly has changed a LOT since then.

The painting's not completely color-corrected yet, but it's just about there. Hopefully y'all really dig, and hopefully my client feels the same way.

If you have any comments, critiques, or questions, I'd love to hear from ya!

As always, thanks for looking,

Graig