Hey everyone,

Thanks so much for the kind words and well-wishes this holiday season. And thank you all for being patient with me as I get back to a 'normal' life. With a soon-to-be six month old around, things aren't quite the same as they were. And I'm imagining they never will be.

The painting of Charlie Bennett that I did for Joe was an absolute labor of love. As I know I've opined to a lot of you, I really do enjoy painting these lesser-known guys, especially those who aren't in the Hall of Fame. And as Joe will attest to, Bennett had a VERY interesting history in the game, and was quite the beloved figure in Detroit's baseball scene until his death in 1927. So when I was approached about it, I didn't even think twice. I'm thrilled that he likes the finished piece so much.

Regarding the auction of the Cy Young painting, well, I just hope it goes to a good home. I never really like seeing my stuff on the secondary market like that (when it's not through my own doing, I mean), but it's unavoidable. It just kinda feels like one of my kids is being sold to the highest bidder, but then again I'm probably a lot more attached to this stuff than most people are. I do wish Goldin used a better photo of the painting and had some updated bio information, but it's not really for me to decide.

That not withstanding, here are a few pieces that have been completed over the past couple of months:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...psy5klq0fh.jpg
Fred Snodgrass & Home Run Baker, October 17, 1911, 28" x 16"

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...pslee8yupf.jpg
Hank Aaron, 1956, 16" x 24"

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...psrbeert1p.jpg
George Lederer & Sandy Koufax, October 3, 1965, 25" x 20"

The painting of Home Run Baker being spiked by Fred Snodgrass was commissioned by Bloomsbury Publishing, as it's to be on the cover of the new Maury Klein book, Stealing Games. Anyone interested in learning a little bit more about the book (or seeing the cover), check out amazon's link:

http://www.amazon.com/Stealing-Games.../dp/1632860244

It was a cool image to tackle, as it's very different from the kind of shots I normally work with. And the dank atmosphere of the misty afternoon at the Polo Grounds was a lot of fun to play with.

You're probably thinking that the Hank Aaron painting is exactly the same as the one I did for the first Net54 raffle winner. It's actually from the same day, probably only a second or two before/after that other one was taken. You'll notice most of the differences in his hands and face.

The Lederer and Koufax painting was a holiday commission for George's son, Richard. For any of you unfamiliar with George's work and legacy, I highly recommend checking this piece out from Baseball Analysts (written by Richard):

http://baseballanalysts.com/archives..._80th_birt.php

The scene is from after the last day of the season, where Sandy Koufax was presented with a 'Dodger of the Year' trophy for his excellence throughout the season (actually, it was presented to the Dodger who had won 'Dodger of the Day' the most times that year - who was invariably Sandy). Anywho, it was to be an heirloom for Richard and his family, and thankfully, he was very pleased.

On the easel now is Phil's huge 1927 Yankees painting, which STILL hasn't been finished. I recently put a bow on the Bill Barilko piece from way back, so that'll make its way to the new owner soon. All of this means that I'm slowly catching up with my waiting list here, so that makes me happy. For those of you who have been on it for a while, I can't even articulate how much I appreciate your patience. Thank you.

Additionally, I've been finishing up other color studies, some of which are still on eBay (http://www.ebay.com/sch/graigkreindl...p2047675.l2562), and others that are being tweaked here and there. Those include Cap Anson (1875), Ed Delahanty (1892), Josh Gibson (1945), Ted Williams (1939), Christy Mathewson (1909), Jim Devlin (1876), Ken Griffey Jr. (1990), Gil Hodges (1950), Lou Gehrig (1928) and Babe Ruth (1920).

And here are some smaller uncommissioned pieces that I have going in my spare time (which is non-existent), too:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...psoxadwm0i.jpg
Napoleon Lajoie, 1902, 12" x 16"

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ps24swr94o.jpg
Bill Dahlen, 1903, 12" x 16"

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...psj1mwssx8.jpg
Honus Wagner, 1902, 16" x 22"

I guess I'm sticking with a Horner T206 theme here? I have MANY more I'd like to paint in that same vein.

Anywho, sorry for the super long post. Hope you all dig what you see, and if you have any questions or comments, feel free to fire away!

Graig

This is amazing, gorgeous work.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Tapatalk

Graig,

Great paintings again, really enjoying that Lajoie study. The three full size paintings are just remarkable. That Baker/Snodgrass painting is just unhumanly perfect Graig.

That Snodgrass is sick!!!! Love it!!!!

Graig, you never cease to amaze me! You are truly a talented young man. A gift to the baseball world!

I'm such a fan, Graig. I love the painting of Sandy and George Lederer.

BTW, George Lederer was also the Angels PR man that dreamed up the Nolan Ryan "Guess the Speed Night" in 1974 that I have opined about in another post recently.

That Snodgrass is just sick for so many reasons. Whereas your portrait work is beyond phenomenal, that painting just throws us out onto the field in 1911. Anyone who looks at ancient black and white photos of baseball games truly has a hard time imagining what it 'looked' like way back when. That canvas makes us truly feel like we're right there and smelling the grass. Bra-frickin'-vo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you so much for all of your kind words, everybody. I really do appreciate every single last one of them. Without y'all in my corner, I wouldn't be able to do any of this.

I've been busy this past month, mostly which some unfinished stuff that'll make its way up here at some point in the near future. But as for finished work, there are two to speak of.

The first was a painting of Mickey that I've always wanted to do, but didn't get the chance to until it was commissioned:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...pszxaljohk.jpg
Mickey Mantle, September 1950, 11" x 14"

I've always loved how young he looks in this image - he couldn't have been older than 18 at the time. And to think that months later, he'd be making his professional debut at Yankee Stadium. A place that housed over 67,000 fans. In line to take over for Joe DiMaggio in centerfield, no less. With the eyes of the New York media watching him like a hawk (well, a hawk for that era). No pressure.

Then there's this one:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...psbs9vxyd9.jpg
Bill Barilko, April 21, 1951, 36" x 52"

This was commissioned by a board member a LONG time ago. Like, I'm embarrassed to say how long ago. But it was my first venture into the world of hockey. And though it was a blast to paint, it was also HARD. I neglected to realize how much closer spectators are to the ice and players than they are in the world of baseball - there are a LOT of faces in there.

Also, the general lighting scheme (dealing with flash photography) and the reflections on the ice proved to be a nightmare. But I'm very pleased with how it came out. I'm hoping that the fella who commissioned it absolutely loves the thing - lord knows he's waited long enough for it!

The moment is Bill Barilko's Stanley Cup winning goal from 1951, with the Leafs triumphing over Montreal in overtime of the 7th game. For those who don't know, Barilko would die in a plane crash only a few months later. Interestingly enough, Toronto failed to win another cup in the 1950s, and wouldn't do so until two months before the wreckage of the plane was found in 1962.

I also was able to finish some fun color studies over the past few weeks:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...pslhb2lhno.jpg
Cap Anson, 1875

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...psxvycn1gg.jpg
Jim Devlin, 1876

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...psylii7w2i.jpg
Christy Mathewson, 1909

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ps8npzizjy.jpg
Babe Ruth, 1920

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...psuwwsjzdt.jpg
Josh Gibson, 1945

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ps4yxmohlt.jpg
Gil Hodges, 1948

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...pszgslvura.jpg
Ken Griffey, Jr., 1990

The Devlin was a real passion project, as there's only one or two known photographs of the man, none of which are of high quality. I think in the end, I pieced together something nice, and was thrilled to maybe bring his story to light a little bit. (For those of you who haven't heard/read about it, it's REALLY worth a look.)

Anywho, I hope y'all dig what you see. And as per usual, any comments, questions, critiques or whatever can be thrown my way via PM or email (gkreindler@gmail.com).

Thanks for reading!!

Graig

Graig,
That hockey painting is AMAZING. Dang that is good. Whoever is waiting for that painting, is was well worth the wait. What size is that painting? That is surely, HOF art there.
I'm going back for another look.

Outstanding! I love that Griffey Jr! As always keep up the great work.