Sports have been equal parts epic and disorienting to me. Jeff McMillan, undeterred by this fact, invited me to represent the New England Patriots in the upcoming "PIGSKIN" show this fall at Stay Gallery in Los Angeles. The show consists of 32 artists, each paying tribute to one of the 32 NFL teams.
My northeastern roots and love of the Brandywine illustrators led to romantic, painterly concepts at first. The battlefield motif and opposing uniforms all seemed to click. Then I re-discovered "Pat Patriot" the 1970's Revolutionary Minuteman icon that made an impression on me at an early age.
Preliminary sketches for the NFL inspired "Pigskin" group gallery
From Pat's three-point-stance, the otherworldly giants of Wyeth and Pyle, and the awe inspiring HD spectacle of American football, a towering colossus squaring off against waves of human size defenders really seemed like my only option. Stay tuned to Stay Gallery for details on the show.
Development sketches and color variants over final ink drawing.