On the easel...

[GKreindler]

Whoa! Has it been over a month since I posted something? Yikes.

Thank you for showing an interest Jason!! Sometimes I worry that I put this stuff up and just waste bandwidth.

So, I have these on the easel right now.

I'm currently finishing up this Wagner piece, and despite my best efforts, it's destroying my life. It's almost where I want it to be, but they're still some problems with that darn light, as well as the odd red of the ballpark. It's still hard for me imagine that the West Side Grounds were such a color at that point in the new century, but according to all the local newspapers of the day, it indeed was. They're also some curvature issues of the stands that need to be dealt with - they're an eye-sore!!





This Joe Jackson painting is just about done, as I only have a few things to work out in the background. I had to flesh out the white stands behind the fence, as they just appear as blurry blobs in the photo. Thankfully, I have a good amount of reference from the Polo Grounds during that year (1913).





This last one is turning out to be a lot of fun too, though there's a lot of research that still needs to be done. The scene is Cobb at bat on Opening Day of the 1908 season. The Tigers were playing the White Sox at the South End Grounds, which 20,000 piled onto the field to check out. Though Detroit lost the contest, Cobb had a hell of a game with a couple of hits and a home run. I also just love seeing action shots like this of the man, especially with that intense look of concentration. What's also interesting to consider about the image is that I have to paint uniforms that look new and pretty, what with being the first game of the season and all. I guess it's just weird for me to picture Tyrus Raymond Cobb in a uniform that DOESN'T have dirt on it.

Though, I'm still waiting on some microfilm to get information about the park and the such, so this is currently on hold until I can figure out exactly what's going on with those details. Man, these deadball era parks are TOUGH!!





Also, I've started a - dare I say it - golf painting. The shot is of Bobby Jones during the 1927 British Open, teeing off at the 17th hole at St. Andrews. It's a pretty busy image with a lot of crowd and beautiful light, but hopefully I'll be able to pull it off. Once I get more onto the canvas, I'll post something if you're all interested.

So, as usual, please excuse my godawful photography (which keeps getting worse and worse), and definitely feel free to throw crits/complaints/suggestions/Pop-Tarts my way!!!

Graig

[perezfan]

Wow Graig... I'm at a loss for words, as they just keep getting better and better. Cobb looks simply incredible against that magnificent backdrop, and the Wagner image appears as if it could pop right off of the canvas and come alive.

Incredible work- has me salivating!

Amazing just does not describe the work you do

If you decide the Wagner painting is to much for you and want to scrap it let me know and I will pay for the trash bin to be delivered to my house for disposal

[timzcardz]

Originally Posted by GKreindler

Whoa! Has it been over a month since I posted something? Yikes.

Thank you for showing an interest Jason!! Sometimes I worry that I put this stuff up and just waste bandwidth.

Wasted bandwidth?

This is some of the best bandwidth on the net!

The glimpses that you provide us of your work and process are womderful.

Thank you for sharing.

[GKreindler]

Thanks guys, that's really nice of you to say. I mean, REALLY nice. I feel like whenever I'm down on what I'm doing, you guys are always there to pick me up. And believe you me, some of these have been absolute battles.

And, Pup, I'll certainly keep you posted about the contents of my trash.

[Lordstan]

Hey wait a minute! Why does he get dibs on the trash?
Forget arranging pick up, I'll even come myself to hand collate it for you?

Graig,
They are all just fantastic. I hope you know we aren't all being kind just to stroke your ego.
It is a rare gift to be able to watch greatness at work. I don't think anyone would disagree that what you do is fantastic.

Even if we can't own them all, they sure are incredible to watch evolve.

Mark

[cwazzy]

Great stuff, as usual! Have you thought about creating a live stream while you paint? I would be interested to see your technique (unless that's a trade secret ).

[JeremyW]

I always loved looking at my Stein Wagner, but now it seems more like a photocopy to me after seeing your interpretation.http://www.net54baseball.com/attachm...1&d=1266012595

[Kawika]

Graig: You are just a young guy but your opus already comprises greatness; your trajectory through the coming decades defies one's imagination. (I'm not sure what I just wrote there but it sounded good). I can see you at age 50 as a grandmaster of baseball art, the Norman Rockwell of the Ballyard. It's too bad you weren't around a couple of generations ago when painted art graced the covers of magazines such as the Saturday Evening Post. You'd've had a steady gig. I hope, no, I insist that a "coffee table" retrospective of the baseball paintings of Graig Kreindler be in the offing someday soon. Awesome, awesome stuff.
DMcD

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by Lordstan

Graig,They are all just fantastic. I hope you know we aren't all being kind just to stroke your ego.

It is a rare gift to be able to watch greatness at work. I don't think anyone would disagree that what you do is fantastic. Mark

is that he has no ego. No kidding. Due to the nature of my business, I have made acquaintances of several thousand people over the years, maybe more, and Graig's genuine humility is as pure as any I have ever seen.

I'm immensely proud to count him as a great friend.

Love ya Brutha... Jimmy

[GKreindler]

Wow. I don't even know what to say!! Thank you everyone for all of those wonderful things you've said. I know I've said it before, but I'm just so pleased that y'all seem to dig what I'm doing so much. It really means a lot to me to create these things, and though it may sound a little cheesy, this stuff is really my life-force. It's on my mind 95% of my waking life (the other 5% being devoted to chicken strips and french fries), and it's just something that I feel like I need to do. Thank god I enjoy it so much!

Mark, I guess if you're willing to make the trek over to New York and rummage through the trash, I can't stop ya. I just hope that you're pleased with the stuff you're going to find!!

Chris, it's funny you mention that, as Dean (my agent) does want to film me painting something - and I'm sure he'll get to it eventually. The only problem is, I usually paint in my boxers and not much else, so I'd be worried about what my audience would be seeing in addition to the canvas. Was that too much information?

Jeremy, I can't believe you'd prefer my painting of the Stein!! I still feel like I'm not capturing what Burke so eloquently showed us in his photograph. What a master he was!!! But really, thank you.

David, I'm going to be thirty in a few months, so I don't know if I can still be considered young. Actually, the amount of gray hairs popping up on my head is seriously alarming. By the time I'm 50, I'm expecting to maybe be 1/100 the artist that Rockwell was. I couldn't wash that man's brushes!! And regarding a coffee table book, well, I can't divulge much here, but something may (or may not) be in the works!!

Jimmy, as per usual, you make me blush. I think the only reason I come off as being humble is because I'm so darn short - usually I'm too close to the ground for people to hear me. I'm proud to call you my brutha from anotha mutha.

Really, thanks guys...