On the easel...

[Kawika]

Had the pleasure of meeting Graig in Baltimore at the National last summer. He is a cool young dude. If I had his skills I'd be painting naked chicks, just saying, but let us be grateful that Graig is devoted to honoring our beloved National Game. Having hung out with the artist, and being able to call him a friend, adds an immeasurable provenance to the artwork which graces my Fortress of Solitude. I am lucky as Hell. He'll get all kine bashful and self-effacing when you compliment him thusly but someday, mark my words, Cooperstown will honor the lad.

[dgo71]

Breathtaking. I can't find the words to properly convey how amazing these works are. As an art major who now works in the world of retail distribution (for good reason!), I have such an appreciation for those who have honed their skills to level you have. Kreindler-Steele has a nice ring to it if you'd like to revive the series!

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by Kawika

Had the pleasure of meeting Graig in Baltimore at the National last summer. He is a cool young dude. If I had his skills I'd be painting naked chicks, just saying, but let us be grateful that Graig is devoted to honoring our beloved National Game. Having hung out with the artist, and being able to call him a friend, adds an immeasurable provenance to the artwork which graces my Fortress of Solitude. I am lucky as Hell. He'll get all kine bashful and self-effacing when you compliment him thusly but someday, mark my words, Cooperstown will honor the lad.

+1 I couldn't agree more, David!

[GKreindler]

Guys, you're all being too kind. Thank you.

I'm really thrilled that so many of you have enjoyed this thread and always take time to comment and push me in good directions. I know I've said it before, and it certainly might sound corny, but whatever success I've had the past couple of years is directly because of you good folks. I honestly pinch myself every morning and thank the stars that I'm able to actually do this for a living - something I really love. And the fact that people like it as much as they do really warms my heart.

Regarding the Legendary auction, well, I'm definitely interested to see what the results are. Just like the DiMaggio painting in SCP, this one really surprised me. It's just really weird to see my stuff up for grabs like that. I didn't know until last night that I was on the cover. Wowzas. I just don't even know what to say.

In the end, I just hope that the seller still loved the painting and maybe had to get rid of it for other reasons. I know it's a bit silly, but when this stuff finds its way to the secondary market, I get a little upset because I start thinking that the client just fell out of love with the thing (or maybe never was IN love). But, that's all just me being neurotic.

Meeting David and Scott were some of my favorite parts of that weekend. I really was honored to spend so much time with Kawika, who as you all know, couldn't be a nicer fella. And the same goes for Scott, though I wish I could have spent more time with him. The National is just so much fun in general as a social event - it's honestly one of the highlights of my year. Going with good friends and just soaking in the passion that we all share, well, they're few things that are more enjoyable to me. Provided that I can make it, I'm VERY much looking forward to Chicago!!

Graig

[Scott Garner]

I'll definitely be at the Chicago National, Graig.
I will make it a point to hang out with you this year and get caught up.

[whitehse]

I too will be at the National this year as it is practically in my back yard. I am hoping you make it Graig as I would like the pleasure of meeting my favorite artist!

[GKreindler]

[GKreindler]

Oh, and George, I'm sorry - I totally forgot to answer your question!

I've only done a small handful of 19th century players, and a lot of them actually appear with their teams from the early 20th. Of that group, I do have a finished George Van Haltren, a finished Cy Young, a half-finished Ed Delahanty, and a bunch of others drawn out and ready to go, including: Bobby Wallace, Jesse Burkett, Sam Crawford, and Bobby Lowe. They're might be a few others too, but I can't quite think of them at the moment.

Here are scans of the two finished guys:





If we're talkin' about players that were strictly 19th century, I only have one completed, and that's of Radbourn:



But I also have some in-progress ones of Louis Sockalexis, JM Ward, Mike Kelly, Deacon White and Cap Anson.

Hopefully I'll be able to finish some of them soon...yikes.

Who did you have in mind specifically? Or is that a secret?

Graig