Came here to post an update on an old piece, only to discover that I’d never posted the original piece in the first place.  As part of a Rivalries insert set in the 2010 release of Topps Tribute Baseball, I painted a depiction of Captain Ahab locked in battle with his great white nemesis.  The company needed the image on a 24-hour around, but I was drawn to the concept and wasn’t ready to cut the umbilical just then.  I converted the composition into an oil painting, which I was content with for a period of time; however, I recently revisited the piece for a third and, hopefully, final time.  I’m increasingly finding that working in digital media and working in traditional media present different but equally frustrating limitations.  Lately I’m most satisfied with my results when melding the two.

The final:

The stages:

1953 Topps Baseball – The standard for Hero worship by any measure.  The set featured individual oil paintings by artist Gerry Dvorak.  Here’s my copy – also in oil.

In January, I teased some of my work on Topps’ upcoming 2010 National Chicle Baseball trading card set.  Today, I’m able to show you a bit more, as all of the artwork below has already been teased or previewed in one form or another.  Below, Jon Lester, Adam Jones, Gordon Beckham, Evan Longoria, Kevin Richardson and Paul Konerko.

I’m new to the world of trading card collectors but I’m trying to stay ahead of the learning curve.  If you happen to be a collector, then you’re no doubt familiar with Topps Redemptions, a program wherein a lucky collector can pull a “winning” card and redeem it for various prizes, including autographed memorabilia and artists’ sketch cards.  That’s where I come in.

I recently lent a hand, helping Topps to fulfill some of their 2009 Baseball Series 1 redemptions (I guess they’re a bit behind schedule).  Below are the 25 cards that I completed on commission.  In addition I was allowed to keep 5 cards for myself (though I’ve yet to tackle those puppies) – I’ll probably execute those five in full color and sell them off right here on the site, so stay tuned.  Until then… Scans below.

Think I liked Avatar much?

Below, some good ol’ fashion photo manipulation. My wife and I… if we were Na’vi.

I’m very proud to be a part of the upcoming all-painting 2010 National Chicle baseball trading card set from the Topps Company. On Friday, Topps gave Beckett Media a sneak peak at some of the cards from the set, including my artwork for the Gordon Beckham/ Evan Longoria Dual Autograph card (right).

In truth, neither of these are my strongest work from the set. Moreover, had I known the artwork would be cropped in this fashion, I would’ve approached both compositions differently. I’m probably just being picky, however.  At least one blogger thinks the card’s alright, and the fans are what matters.

Hopefully in the coming weeks I’ll be able to showcase some of my other work from the set. In the meanwhile you can gander at the below artwork featuring Indians rookie Carlos Carrasco. The below image is NOT one of the pieces I produced for Topps, but it should give you a sense of what to expect from my work on Chicle. Hope you dig it.

Bit late in posting this – Best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year. Here’s hoping 2010 beats the heck out of 2009. Not holding my breath though…

Sketched in pencil, painted in watercolor, finished and tweaked in Painter and Photoshop.

And a detail…

Click to enlarge.

Click to enlarge.