On the easel...

GKreindler · #1 06-29-2025, 03:50 PM

Thanks so much for the kind words, everybody!! I really appreciate them as always, especially for the women's baseball stuff. It's subject matter that I enjoy tackling, whether it's from the AAGPBL or other teams that sported women in the early 1900s.

I figured I'd show a few more of these badasses:

Jean Faut, 1949, 18" x 18"

Dorothy Maguire Chapman, 1946, 9" x 12"

The Jean Faut image was an absolute blast to paint, especially since the original photography was of such high quality. Plus, it had that great angle from below of her looking into the distance, giving it a heroic feel. For those unfamiliar with Jean, she was one of the greatest pitchers in the history of the league. Some of her more impressive stats are pitching four no-hitters (two of which were perfect games), winning two pitching Triple Crowns; winning two Player of the Year awards; winning twenty games three times; winning two championships; and is the league's all-time leader in ERA. And believe me, there are a lot more. This painting ended up going to Jean's son.

Dorothy Maguire Chapman was no slouch either, as she was an all-star catcher on two championship teams (1943 Racine Belles, 1944 Milwaukee Chicks). Known for being tough as nails, part of her story inspired a scene in A League of Their Own, but less so anything play-related. The scene where Betty Spaghetti receives a telegram bringing news of her husband's death was partially based on Dorothy's experience--she had received a phone call before a game, informing her of the death of her husband Tom in Italy. Unlike Betty Spaghetti, she actually DID play that day. Oddly enough, he was discovered to be alive months later after a dog-tag mix-up. Like the Faut painting, this was commissioned by the ballplayer's family.

The images of both players came from a large scrapbook at the Louis Pettus Archives at Winthrop University. They have a bunch of great images in their archives that I've licensed recently in the hopes of making future paintings of these great ballplayers.

Anywho, hope y'all enjoy these!! Any comments, critiques, questions and rotten tomatos are always welcome.

Oh!! And the Satchel Paige gicl�e officially goes live and becomes available for purchase on Monday, July 7th! If you'd like to be added to the mailing list for more updates, fill in your info here.

Thanks, as always!!

Graig

Leon · #2 06-30-2025, 08:58 PM

Those are phenomenal, Graig! So lifelike...Thanks for sharing
.

Baseball Rarities · #3 07-01-2025, 11:10 AM

I wish that I could claim this one as my own, but it belongs to a good friend who recently had it commissioned by Graig Kreindler. It is amazing how Graig is able to keep outdoing himself.

Fandom0610 · #4 07-03-2025, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baseball Rarities

I wish that I could claim this one as my own, but it belongs to a good friend who recently had it commissioned by Graig Kreindler. It is amazing how Graig is able to keep outdoing himself.

What I think is so amazing about Graig's paintings is his attention to detail. Look at all the creases and wrinkles on Ruth's jersey and the creases in his shoes. I cant imagine how many hours that took. Truly AMAZING

Jay Wolt · #5 07-03-2025, 08:56 AM

That Ruth looks like a color photo
Amazing job Graig

RayBShotz · #6 07-21-2025, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay Wolt

That Ruth looks like a color photo
Amazing job Graig

Agreed!

GKreindler · #7 08-24-2025, 02:57 PM

Thank you for all of the kind words, everybody!! So very much appreciated.

Here's one I finished recently that should be arriving in my client's hands tomorrow (Monday):

Rube Waddell, (ca) 1904, 32" x 22"

I'm super glad to have this out of the studio, as it had been sitting here for quite some time. It was actually really close to completion, but because of an influx of larger canvases, somehow this one ended up getting hidden behind a few, and I lost track of it. Woof.

Anywho, it was an enjoyable one to paint, though pretty complicated. Rube himself wasn't too bad, though there were a few spots in his uniform that proved to be a bit complicated, what with all of the wrinkles and what-not. And then the fence with all of the knots! And the ground with the grass, wooden planks and dirt!!! Oh, my. Just a ton of different textures and eye-candy. But in the end, I think the painting is successful and am hoping the client agrees.

For what it's worth, I have *NO* idea where the original photograph was taken. It doesn't seem like a big league ballpark considering the fence and condition of the ground, but I'm of course not 100% on that. Also, I'm not 100% on the year either, as it's a general guess from the jersey and belt style (check out those long sleeves withOUT the button attachments). His face also seems to be a bit on the younger side, I think? But certainly, if anybody has any information they're willing to share, I'd love to hear about it!

Also, I thought I'd share a few shots of some other stuff I've been working on as of late, all of which are in varying states of completion:

The painting of Mantle is after his MONSTER home run during spring training of '51, against the Trojans at Bovard Field in southern California. It's *almost" there. Super close. Same can be said with the Earle Combs piece and the larger Ruth painting behind it (the other Ruth behind THAT needs more help). And the Warren cabinet of George Wright! Another one that's getting there. So incredibly honored to be so busy though, not matter how stressed out I might be.

Also also, here's an interview I did with PJ Kinsella and the good folks at REA a few months back:

https://collectrea.com/stories/post/...raig-kreindler

If any of y'all have comments, critiques or questions, fire away! Hope ya dig it all.

Thanks for reading,

Graig

glchen · #8 07-03-2025, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baseball Rarities

I wish that I could claim this one as my own, but it belongs to a good friend who recently had it commissioned by Graig Kreindler. It is amazing how Graig is able to keep outdoing himself.

Wow, that is incredible!

GKreindler · #9 07-03-2025, 08:27 PM

Maaaannn, thank you so much for all of those kind words, everybody!! I really do appreciate every single one of them.

Hopefully you're all getting ready for a fun and safe holiday weekend.

Here's one I just got back from the photographers today:

Mickey Mantle, April 18, 1952, 18" x 24"

Though I was never able to figure out who the photographer was, this shot was always super intriguing to me. Sure, it's a young Mickey and who doesn't love that, but there's a cool narrative to it. At least in my head there is. I just feel like he's caught at a really interesting time in his life.

It's Opening Day in New York, and Mickey is still fresh off of the injury that almost ended his career before it really began. The event in the World Series months prior was initially diagnosed as a torn muscle, but later identified as torn ligaments and cartilage--a torn ACL and MCL, and meniscus. Despite how serious the injury was, he wouldn't have surgery until 1953. Woof.

So as a result, he had a very slow start in March. His dad, the center of his world, was weeks away from dying. Mickey also had a new bride in Merlyn, married less than four months before the opening of the season. On the field, he was battling Bob Cerv, Jackie Jensen, and a little later, Irv Noren for regular centerfield duties, the position that had been vacated by the great DiMaggio that prior December.

He was not yet a god. Hell, far from it. Probably still just a scared kid at this point. The day the photograph was taken, the Yankees raised their third consecutive championship banner. Joe DiMaggio gave his glove and newly retired #5 jersey to Rowan Spraker of the Hall of Fame. Gil McDougald was given his Rookie of the Year award. Yogi his MVP award. Allie Reynolds the Page One prize. Phil Rizzuto an award for his play in the '51 WS. But still, here's the kid with the weight of the world on his shoulders, and all the ability to make himself into what Stengel bragged about him to be. I guess for me, knowing all of that stuff makes the portrait seem extra special.

Annnyyywwwhhhhoooo, sorry for being all cerebral and reflective. Hope y'all dig the painting. And as usual, feel free to reach out with any comments, critiques, or questions!

Thanks for reading!

Graig

ruth-gehrig · #10 07-03-2025, 09:07 PM

Lord have mercy Man!! The backstory is amazing...sets the tone perfectly and its all captured effortlessly in your brushstrokes. Why are the paintings so more captivating than the photos they are based on?

GKreindler · #11 07-03-2025, 10:32 PM

I really appreciate that, Michael. Thank you. Even if I don�t necessarily agree, I am super thankful for your sentiments!! 😬

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