Kyle and Chase 2012

 Chase Drawing

 Kyle Drawing

 Working on the Kyle Drawing

 Working on the Chase Drawing

Chase in progress

Kyle in progress

Kyle and Chase are the sons of a private collector of my work. He now owns nine of my originals, including these two. He commissioned me to do these drawings for his wife for Valentines Day. Kyle and my son Jacob played together on the recreation league team that I assistant coached last season. I also attended the game, and actually shot the photo of Chase that I used for the drawing. 

Gary "Kid" Carter 1954-2012

Gary "Kid" Carter Tribute Drawing

Tribute drawing in progress

Gary's eyes in progress

Remembering Gary "Kid" Carter

Gary Carter Drawing 1986

Inscribed Gary Carter Player Card

"Stephen, Great drawing! You could probably send me the copy at Shea. Take care & God Bless. Gary Carter"

 Gary "Kid" Carter and these pictures were the very first entry on this Blog Site. Gary passed away yesterday. At the age of 57, he finally lost a battle with malignant brain tumors. Last Friday a very close personal friend of mine also passed away from malignant brain tumors. Both of these men were strong Christians and true men of God. I know where they are now, and they are both in perfect health. I look forward to seeing them again someday, as I know they will both be on my welcoming committee. It is still hard to lose heroes!

Justin Tuck, Super Bowl Champion 2012

Justin Tuck Drawing

Justin Tuck Drawing in progress

New York Giants Defensive End: Justin played his college ball at Notre Dame. The Giants chose Justin in the 2005 NFL Draft. He has been a two time Pro Bowler, two time All Pro, and has won two Super Bowls (XLII, XLVI). On Feb.5th, in Super Bowl XLVI against the New England Patriots, Justin scored a first quarter safety on an intentional grounding penalty by quarterback Tom Brady.

Despite being  born in north west New Jersey, I unlike my father and all my in-laws also from north Jersey, had never become a Giants or Jets fan. My family moved to the San Francisco bay area when I was two, and I became a childhood 49ers fan. I am now a die hard Ravens fan, but have also rekindled my interest in the 49ers. This season however, just prior to the playoffs, I watched a bow hunting show featuring Justin hunting in south Texas. Like myself, Justin is quite the bow hunter and avid outdoors man. During the Super Bowl, I saw him wearing an interesting unusual custom face mask. Seemed like enough of a reason to draw him, so here it is.

Patrick Willis 2012

Patrick Willis Drawing

An hour into the drawing

About three hours into the drawing

San Francisco 49ers Inside Linebacker: Patrick played his college ball at The University of Mississippi. While in his senior year at Ole Miss, Patrick received the Butkas Award, and the Jack Lambert Award, both presented to the nations top linebacker of the year. In the 2007 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected Patrick eleventh in the first round. Patrick has received Pro Bowl and All Pro honors all five years that he has been in the NFL. This year in ESPN's pre season poll, Patrick was voted the leagues best inside linebacker. They said, "Even 12 time Pro Bowler Ray Lewis, the dominant linebacker of his era, pointed to Willis as a worthy successor to his undisputed reign."

Hall of Famer Mike Singletary said, "I've coached two of the greatest linebackers, one that has already proven to be one of the greatest, and one who will prove to be," referring to Lewis and Willis.