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“My Art Journey: Painting and Perspectives"
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The Challenge and Joy of Painting Big
Painting large isn’t just about the art. it’s about the experience. It pulls you in, makes you move, and demands your attention. My 5 x 8-foot football player painting was a real challenge, but that’s the joy of it. I saw a TV commercial and thought, “What if I paint that guy in my studio?” That’s how this 5 x 8 -foot football player piece began. It’s about strength, presence, and being bold. Large-scale paintings are statements. They stop you in your tracks. This football player in shoulder pads commands attention with its sheer size and emotional intensity.
My Sports Art In US Bank Stadium Art Collection
Sports artist John Robertson's 8x12 ft painting of the 'Purple People Eaters,' featured at US Bank Stadium, vividly captures the grit and energy of the legendary Vikings defensive line. This remarkable piece of art not only pays tribute to the famed defensive line but also brings the iconic Purple People Eaters to life through emotion, movement, and color. Discover the captivating story behind Robertson's painting and explore how he masterfully reflects the essence of these legendary players in his work at US Bank Stadium.
A Brush with the Green Bay Packers: Painting Football History
Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, isn’t just a stadium, it’s a living football history lesson, blending the game’s artistry with its passion. Green Bay breathes football; from the retro charm of Lambeau Field to the art displayed inside, it’s a must-visit for sports fans. My painting of a Packers sweep play against the Rams is part of the Lambeau Field suites, capturing the rhythm and flow of football on canvas.
Painting for the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium
Painting for the Minnesota Vikings was a surreal experience, especially seeing one of my works projected onto the Jumbotron—a massive moment for an artist. Art and football share a unique power: they let us lose ourselves in a moment and find connection, whether it’s on the field or in front of a canvas. My wife’s Minnesota roots keep us visiting often, and the state’s landscapes inspire my work. The connection between art and place is always alive for me.
Sports Art: More Than Just a Play
I created this painting during the NFL playoffs to capture the energy and movement of the game, focusing on Torrey Smith during the NFC Championship for the Eagles. It's not just a scene; it's about emotion. Sports art isn’t about stories—it’s about feeling. This painting channels the intensity of the Eagles’ game through lines, colors, and movement, capturing the raw emotion of the moment and making it come alive. Combining football and art was a challenge, but this piece truly embodies the passion and excitement of the game.
Boxing Day? A Knockout Moment in Paint
Like a boxer in the ring, life demands grit, resilience, and the willingness to show up even when it's tough. It's not just about throwing punches; it's about enduring the physical and emotional battle, absorbing the blows, and continuing to fight. This painting captures that raw tension, the struggle etched on the faces of two fighters locked in a contest, mirroring the challenges we all face: giving our best shot and taking whatever comes back, just like in a boxing match.
Painting for the Green Bay Packers: My Art at Lambeau Field
One of the most rewarding experiences of my career was seeing my work displayed in Lambeau Field, a legendary stadium that embodies the passion, dedication, and creativity of football. Football, like art, is about emotion and movement, visible in every play on the field and every brushstroke on the canvas. Creating art for Lambeau Field allowed me to capture not just the history of the Packers but also the essence of what makes football so beautiful and inspiring. My love for the Packers goes way back to the 1960s, when I had a friend from Green Bay, and we spent a couple of weeks one summer hanging out at the practice field. Back then, you could sit on the bench with the players, chatting with legends like Ray Nitschke and Fuzzy Thurston.
Why I Painted a Lifeguard
California State Parks lifeguard tryouts aren’t just a test—they’re a proving ground for grit and skill. Six-foot waves, rip currents, and a 1,000-yard swim push people to their limits, and I was there to document the resilience of these heroes. My painting captures one lifeguard’s quiet strength amid the chaos. This 8.5-foot acrylic painting celebrates the courage and determination of California’s State Parks lifeguards, who train to keep us safe against the odds.
Sports Art Brings Personality to Home Décor
Sports art isn’t just for man caves or offices anymore; a photo of my black-and-white baseball piece hung in a bedroom taught me how versatile and personal sports-themed décor can be. Seeing how people use my sports art in their homes always surprises me, and in this case, it was a perfectly balanced bedroom design that quietly celebrated baseball. A designer used my sports art to create a bedroom that felt calm but personal, not loud or distracting—just a reflection of the homeowner’s passion.
Skateboarder Art: More Than Tricks and Stunts
My painting of a skateboarder at Ventura Point captures more than motion; it’s about the pause. She’s standing on the promenade, looking at the waves. It’s not about showing off—it’s about soaking in the moment, the connection between land, sea, and wheels. That’s what skateboarding feels like: finding calm between the chaos.
The Art of a Left-Handed Catcher
This painting captures the rare essence of a left-handed catcher in baseball, a player rewriting the rules of the game. With laser throws to third base without standing up, this catcher defies tradition and embodies grit, skill, and rebellion. The artwork explores the challenges left-handed catchers face, showing the thrill of breaking norms with powerful throws and fierce determination. It’s a striking portrayal of an unconventional player redefining what it means to own the plate.
World Series, Baseball Art, and October Reflections
Painting baseball isn’t just about a game; it’s capturing moments we don’t want to let go of. Each piece is a small tribute, a way of keeping the thrill of game day alive. For me, it’s like the season never ends—I get to relive it every time I pick up a brush.
The Silent Confidence of a Hockey Goalie
Watching her play is wild; she moves like a cat, snagging pucks and making impossible saves with no flair—just quiet confidence, and there’s something reassuring about knowing your goalie is steady, not arrogant, but confident without needing to show off, so when teams in my son-in-law’s league are picking players, it’s no surprise—they pick the girl because she’s got grit and no complaints.
From Ringside to Canvas: My Journey with Boxing Art
Friday nights were all about watching boxing with my stepdad. Our old black and white TV brought us together. The ring is like a canvas. Every boxer is an artist, painting with resilience and strength. This painting of boxing gloves? It's not just about boxing. It's about my journey and the bond with my stepdad.
My Not-So-Perfect Jump Shot: Basketball, Art, and Expression
Basketball and art share a common thread—both are forms of expression. Stepping onto the court or in front of a canvas allows for a release of creativity and emotion. However, when it comes to basketball, my expression is less about finesse and more about humor. Unlike the Golden State Warriors, I can’t claim to sink jump shots or perform smooth moves. In fact, my best jump shot resembles a frog leaping from a lily pad!
Why Dick Butkus Remains My Favorite NFL Player to Paint
This ink and acrylic painting of NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus captures the grit and power that defined his career with the Chicago Bears. Featuring a unique newsprint collage background, the artwork pays homage to one of football’s most iconic linebackers. Discover more sports-inspired paintings by visiting the collection of works available for sale.
The Game That Lasts a Lifetime: Baseball and Art
In my painting The Game, I sought to capture baseball’s magic. The 6-by-10-foot painting immerses you in the batter’s box, moments before the pitch. It’s the tension, anticipation, and fleeting seconds that make baseball so iconic, and I wanted to freeze that feeling, placing the viewer right at the heart of the action.
The Emotional Power of Sports Art:
John Robertson’s “Timeout” basketball art is a representation of the stillness before the storm. The player, gripping the basketball, embodies the anticipation and emotion of a pause in the game. This sports art piece taps into the cultural significance of basketball, elevating the sport through artistry. As a genre, sports art has a place in the art world, connecting us to moments of triumph, identity, and skill. Robertson’s work explores the emotional impact of a game in motion, emphasizing the player’s control and intensity with each brushstroke. The painting offers a window into the personal moments of athletes, resonating with the anticipation before action. Through its vibrant colors and technical skill, “Timeout l” combines cultural meaning with artistic expression.
Magic Johnson: The Art of Teamwork on the Court
Magic Johnson wasn't just a player on the Lakers; he was the "quarterback" on the court, the maestro who made the whole operation run smoothly. Dubbed the "Point God," he eschewed individual glory for the greater good, elevating his teammates' performance. Painting Magic isn't merely about capturing his likeness; it's about immortalizing his unique style of play. He didn't just dribble past defenders or sink shots; he created opportunities for everyone around him, much like an artist carefully composing their work. Sports, like art, are about collaboration. Magic Johnson exemplifies this principle, making those around him better, just as a great piece of art enhances its surroundings. It's not about individual brilliance, but about creating a harmonious whole.
My Paintings at Green Bay’s Austin Straubel Airport
I was going about my day when I got a text from a client saying they had spotted a couple of my paintings at Austin Straubel Airport in Green Bay, WI. It turns out, they were part of a remodeling project at the airport’s Terminal B restaurant. This was a pleasant surprise, as there’s something special about knowing your work is displayed in places where people pass through daily. To me, this whole experience highlights the unexpected ways art finds its place. You do a project, and then suddenly, it’s part of something bigger than you ever planned.