Wow, July 1st, summer’s off and running…next few days I’ll post a series of sports “Victory Dance” illustrations that I did for a ‘Congratulations’ sports greeting card, including nine sports, entitled “Victory Is Sweet” (#1111 Check out the whole line!) …nothing like the sweet thrill of victory, party on! (Illustrated Sports #24)
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: art, Baseball, Basketball, Illustration, Soccer, Sports, Watercolor | Leave a Comment »
These Olympics are going to be fun…the tone already is awesome with records being set and names like Tyson Gay and Michael Phelps and Katie Hoff coming into the headlines…how about this man-beast Reese Hoffa, reigning outdoor shot-put champion, finishing first in the trials (the pink ball doesn’t look that beast-ish, but I won’t tell Reese that)…onto Beijing! (Illustrated Sports #23)
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: art, Illustration, Olympics, Reese Hoffa, Shot Put, Sports, track and field, Watercolor | Leave a Comment »
Here’s a headless version (can’t reveal the full piece, since it’s still a surprise) of a private commission illustration I finished today…a cool birthday gift for a 40 year-old who’s nuts for Formula One race cars…guess what he’s getting for his birthday?! (in addition to this illo!) Anyone out there into Formula One? (Illustrated Sports #22)
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: art, Formula One, Illustration, Race Cars, Racing, Sports | Leave a Comment »
What is it about some coaches? The glare, the bark, the threat of lung-crushing wind-sprints? The high tube socks, the aviator reflector glasses? August football two-a-days are coming up…fierce coaches will be out in full force…Move those hooves! (Illustrated Sports #21)
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: art, coaching, football, Illustration, nfl, Sports | 6 Comments »
Drew this watching Red Sox and Arizona tonight…New York and Boston are definitely home to some of the gnarliest looking fans…(Sports Illustration #20)
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: art, Boston, Fans, Illustration, Mets, New York, Red Sox, Sports, Yankees | Leave a Comment »
Okay, I know I’m getting my sports mixed up, but it was just a few weeks ago that Kimbo Slice “Once a hardened street fighter, now an MMA machine” (according to his website) came out of nowhere to front page sports news stardom…is this guy for real, or just another 15 minutes-of-fame Youtube video phenom?…I did this illo a few weeks ago…(Illustrated Sports #19)
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: art, Boxing, Illustration, Kimbo Slice, MMA, Sports, Tennis, Wimbledon | Leave a Comment »
My son and I are planning to write and illustrate a book about the great masters of sport. We want to study those in the various sports who set the bars of athletic achievement against which all others are measured. Who were they? Why were (or are) they truly great? What sets them apart? I’m figuring that one unanimous choice for the list is the great Jim Thorpe…hence this brush and ink sketch…who do you think is a true Master of Sport? (Sports Illustration #18 )
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: art, football, Illustration, Jim Thorpe, Olympics, Sports, track and field | Leave a Comment »
Summer swim season (practices, meets, fun) starts today…good times (you can see the first sunburn of the season on these two)! The added bonus for all of us is this year we get to watch the Olympics…talk about exciting swimming, that will be a blast. Lots of illustrations to come on the summer Olympics! What summer activity are you most looking forward to? (Sports Illustration #17)
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: Add new tag, art, Illustration, Olympics, Sports, Summer, Swimming | Leave a Comment »
A year ago the debate was who’s the greatest athlete on the planet in their respective sport, Roger or Tiger? With Tiger holding on in epic form to take the U. S. Open but Roger without a Grand Slam title this year (losing in donut-hole embarrassing form to Nadal at the French) the debate now doesn’t seem as legit. Wimbledon, which starts today (Monday) will be the real test for Roger. This is his “home turf”, his dojo, his domain, where he’s won five times and looked flawless, like the best EVER. Will Roger trip and fall or have the Tiger-Gear that still sets him apart. Look for Roger to struggle, but rise to the King’s throne once again. (Sports Illustration #16)
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: art, Golf, Graphic Arts, Illustration, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis, Tiger Woods, Wimbledon | 1 Comment »
Seven in a row…Joba “The Next” Chamberlain starting AND pitching himself out of a few jams…sweeping the Mighty (er?) Padres…should we start printing the 2008 World Series Championship t-shirts? Have the Yankees found their 2008 mojo? Is this Hall Of Fame roster finally responding to the other Joe (Girardi)? (Sports Illustration #15)
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: art, Illustration, Joba Chamberlain, Major League Baseball, New York, Red Sox, Sports, Yankees | Leave a Comment »
Seems to me that hoops Zen Master Phil Jackson lost his Feng Shui along the Wu Way as his Lakers got progressively worse with each finals game rather than tactically better down the missed-championship stretch. Expertly adjust and direct, that’s what coaches do. Doc Rivers seemed much more insightful, savvy and effective as he responded to each crisis, motivating and strategizing his Celtics to victory. Will Phil get another chance? Will Phil find inner peace? It’s back to the meditation mat…(Sports Illustration #14)
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: art, Basketball, Celtics, Illustration, Lakers, Los Angeles, nba, Phil Jackson, Philosophy, Sports, Zen | 3 Comments »
Admittedly, I’m a huge Laker fan, but these Celtics are just good (very good!). Suffocating, monster-physical defense. Inside and outside scoring power. Magical team mojo. The Doc turning all the right motivational knobs. Guts, courage and resolve. Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen clutch performances…greatest turnaround in history…Boston Three Party, nice Irish job!
(Sports Illustration ‘Lucky’ #13)
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: art, Basketball, Boston, Celtics, Graphic Arts, Illustration, Lakers, Sports, Visual Arts | 2 Comments »
I’m into quotes and cool slogans that offer inspiration…I really enjoyed this ad from Nike based on words from Earl Woods, Tiger’s Dad…especially enjoyed this line, “You don’t really instill anything into a child, you encourage the development of it…” check it out…Nike Earl Woods Ad…good stuff on Father’s Day.
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: art, Golf, Illustration, Sports, Summer, Tiger, Tiger Woods, Torrey Pines, U.S.Open | 1 Comment »
“Stalking the greens and fairways of Torrey Pines…” writes Quick Hits at Sporting News, Tiger Woods, even with a recently surgically repaired knee, is “…the PGA’s most dangerous creature hunting for another U.S. Open title.” Going into Saturday, the greatest golfer on earth is only one stroke back. (Sports Illustration #12)
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: art, Golf, Graphic Art, Illustration, Illustrators, Sports, Tiger, Tiger Woods, Torrey Pines, U.S. Open | Leave a Comment »
Who’s got more leadership fire, moxy, mojo, flare? Is it Alfalfa, leader of the 1950’s Little Rascals, or Kobe, leader of the 2008 Laker “brothers”. There can be only one. After last night’s meltdown in Tinseltown, we might need some of Carl “Afalfa” Switzer’s magic. (Sports Illustration #11)
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: Alfalfa, art, Basketball, Illustration, Kobe, Lakers, Little Rascals, nba, Sports | Leave a Comment »
This year’s U.S. Open will be fascinating…Tiger a perennial winner at Torrey Pines (Buick Open) who grew up playing often at this incredible San Diego Municipal golf course. Phil Mickelson grew up in SD, Torrey Pines H.S. I think…this is his home turf to protect, his chance to fulfill his dreams growing up, the U.S. Open on his home course! (I’ve played this course several times…gorgeous setting, breathtaking views…nice, since my game was wack and yawntaking)…Tiger’s got The Game and The Vision to match this powerful and compelling course…but does he have The Knee? (Sports Illustration #10)
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: art, Golf, Illustration, San Deigo, Sports, Tiger, Torrey Pines, U.S. Open | 1 Comment »
If the kids aren’t already out of school, they’re gonna be soon. Unbelievable, it’s almost officially summertime. If you want to see happy kids, just go to a pool. There’s a community pool near my house that just opened, it’s teaming with smiling kids (they’re probably also ‘running’ which is a huge pool violation, just adding to the sheer fun…) My wife’s coaching a town swim team this summer…this illos for her and all her swimmers, hanging out at the pool, smiling. (Sports Illustration #9)
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: art, family, fish, Fun, Happy, Illustration, kids, Sports, Summer, Swimming, Vacation | 1 Comment »
It has been sweltering hot here in Connecticut! I guess just a warm-up for what just might be the greatest summer ever…like this young adventurer, surveying the summer wonderland, saying “This is going to be amazing, bring it on!” (Illustrated Sports #8)
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: art, family, Illustration, kids, Sports, Summer, Swimming | 1 Comment »
Okay, I’ve got to admit, I don’t know a whole lot about hockey, but this guy’s cool…Dominik Hasik, sure to be a first-ballot Hall of Fame goaltender for the Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings announced his retirement today after 16 seasons. The six-time Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL’s top goalie and two-time NHL MVP goes out on top, hoisting the Stanley Cup. At his announcement he said, “I am leaving this game feeling very, very happy because of all of the memories and all of the friendships I have made with all of you.” Congratulations on a champion’s run Dominik! (Illustrated Sports #7)
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: art, Detroit Red Wings, Dominik Hasek, Hockey, Illustration, Sports, Stanley Cup | 1 Comment »
This kid Rafael Nadal is really quite a champion. Being a huge tennis fan, I remember Bjorn Borg’s amazing runs at the French, they were remarkable. But the fire and grit in Rafa’s game and the humble style in which he wins, even apologizing for trouncing Roger so completely (6-1, 6-3, 6-0), saying “Roger, I’m sorry…” during the trophy ceremony (a touch unusual, but definitely Rafa) is one-of-a-kind. Well done Rafa, can’t wait to see you at Wimbledon! (Illustrated Sports #6)
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: art, French Open, Illustration, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis | 1 Comment »
Kobe Bryant, the best player in the NBA in 2008 and perhaps the most changed player from team disfunctionator to team synergizer is poised and ready (with his “brothers”) to take on the greatest-comeback-in-the-history-of-the-league Celtics. Magic Johnson’s LA Lakers took down Larry Bird’s Boston Celtics in six games in 1987. Can Bryant do the same against Garnett? My prediction: Lakers in seven, a hard fought battle all the way. (Illustrated Sports #5)
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: art, Illustration, Kobe, Lakers, nba, Sports, Visual Arts | 1 Comment »
KG, The Big Ticket, the Boston Celtics’ Monster In The Middle whose presence has elevated the Celtics from the brink of ruin back to the Big Stage was the key to Game 1 according to Stan McNeal of Sporting News Magazine, “But the real difference in the game was that the best player was on the Celtics. Kevin Garnett…” Seen here in all his hoops mojo under the hallowed green banners…(Illustrated Sports #4)
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: art, Celtics, Illustration, Kevin Garnett, nba, Sports | 1 Comment »
The great Spaniard, clay court specialist, Mallorcan Madman, Rafael Nadal will defend his French Open dynasty against Roger Federer. Nadal seems like a man possessed of insane clay-court calmness…Nadal in four sets! (Illustrated Sports #3)
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: art, French Open, Illustration, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis | Leave a Comment »
Man Ram, in his classic, laid back, “Where am I?” style, made history on May 31, 2008. The Official Site of the Boston Red Sox wrote: “Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez joined the 500-home run club in style, becoming the 24th member of the elite fraternity by belting a majestic solo shot deep to right-center field in front of a heavily pro-Boston crowd at Camden Yards.” (Illustrated Sports #2)
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Today I’ll be writing six different posts to officially launch a project that I’m really excited about: Shoff Illustrated; Daily Illustration (and the crowd goes wild!) Patterned after a bunch of successful Painting-A-Day projects (Daily Paintings, Duane Keiser,) I’ll be posting some very nearly profound editorial insights illustrated by an original brush, ink and watercolor piece. Each original will also have a link to purchase on Ebay. Enjoy!
Check out my Ebay site. Click here.
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Dug this cartoon up from way back…in the spirit of the current Lakers / Celtics NBA finals. A forgotten era? Maybe not, but one that’s fun to remember from time to time…and the $ contract, very interesting, read below…(Illustrated Sports #1)
New York Times, September 29, 1983 – “Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics made it official yesterday. They announced that the all-star forward had signed a seven-year contract that is expected to bring him more than $2 million a year. For Bird, who was entering the last of a five-year, $650,000-a-year contract, the deal is especially sweet…makes Bird, at age 26, the highest paid player in basketball.”
Filed under: Illustrated Sports | Tagged: art, Celtics, History, Illustration, larry Bird, nba, Sports | 1 Comment »
