Cindy Landolt 2014

Cindy Landolt Drawing

Cindys reply on Twitter

Cindy is a Personal Fitness Trainer in Zurich Switzerland. She is also the owner and founder of the Centurion Club in Zurich.You can check her our at www.cindytraining.com

IFBB Lisa Cross 2014

Lisa Cross Drawing

Lisa is a Professional Body Builder from England. Her best win to date was the 2010 UKBFF British Championship. This year she recieved her IFBB Pro Card, and just competed in her first professional competition, the IFBB Tampa Pro.

Bardsley Sports Art hits Twitter

My Tweet and Angelas Reply

My Tweet on Blog.Musclegirltalk.com

The Angela Salvagno Drawing

My son Joshua has been trying to convince me to embrace social media and put Bardsley Sports Art  on Twitter. About ten days ago and did so. One of my first Tweets was my Angela Salvagno Drawing originally posted here Nov.5,2013.

Not only did she favorite it, she replied, and retweeted it to over 30 thousand followers. It also got favorited and posted on www.blog.musclegirltalk.com.

You can follow me @bardsleyart

Kenny Goins Jr. 2014

Kenny Goins Jr. Drawing

Kenny Goins with the drawing of Kenny Jr., given to he and his wife as a gift

Kenny Jr. born in Baltimore, played his high school ball at Gilman. Playing both sides of the ball, in 2011 Kenny was named All Metro Defensive Player of the Year by the Baltimore Sun.As a Maryland Terrapin, he played in all 13 games as a red shirt freshman in 2013. This season he is playing Fullback, although he has also played on Special Teams. 

I am friends with Kenny Sr.at the Port of Baltimore, and spoke to him the day he was leaving to see Kenny Jr. play at South Florida. In that game, Kenny Jr. blocked a punt in the fourth quarter that was recovered in the end zone for a Terps touchdown. That touchdown made the difference in the 24-17 win.

Jackie Surfing 2014

Jackie Drawing

Living at the beach, I surfed the entire summer, every year from when I was ten through my twenties. Now after many years, and shoulder surgery, I have gotten back into it. My youngest son Jacob does it with me, and much like in my youth, I cant wait to get back to the ocean and feel that "Stoke". 

This fall at one of the beaches that we go to, I met and photographed Jackie. I spoke to her about the photograph, and then did this drawing from it. 

Steve Lombardozzi Jr. 2014

Steve Lombardozzi Drawing

Being a die hard Baltimore Orioles fan, and having a Father and Sons who are Washington Nationals fans, I have followed the career of Steve. The Nationals picked him in the Major League Baseball Draft in 2008. He was called up to the big league on Sept. 6,2011. At the end of last season, the Nats traded Steve to the Detroit Tigers, who then traded him to the Orioles before the season started. He is currently playing for the Orioles AAA team, the Norfolk Tides. Joshua saw him play in Norfolk this summer while on the Potter Tour. 

Mariano Rivera The Cutter 2014

 Mariano Rivera The Cutter Drawing

The Cutter Drawing in Progress

Retired Closing Pitcher from the New York Yankees. Mariano is considered by most at the greatest closer the game has ever seen. On his glove, where most pitchers names are, was embroidered Philippians 4:13. Last Year Lisa Miller wrote in New York Magazine:

As anyone who follows baseball knows, Mariano Rivera has built his career on one pitch. A cut fastball, or "cutter," it travels at 90 or 92 miles an hour, and then, a few feet before it reaches home plate, it moves half a foot off course, a trick of physics that looks like telekenisis. Rivera's cutter is virtually unhittable, by consensus and by the wasteland of broken bats that litter home plate when he is on the mound is all the proof anyone needs. A Rivera inning has thus been compared to a horror movie: The excitement is sharpened, not dulled, by the fact that everyone- the players, the ticket holders, and Rivera himself- knows exactly what's coming.

Joshua Bardsley 2014

Joshua Drawing

Joshua catching in PNC Park, Pittsburgh

Knowing what a baseball nut I am, people frequently ask me who my all time favorite player is. My answer for the last seven years has been my son Joshua. Joshua just completed his second season on the Kent Island High School Baseball Team. He also just went on the first ten days of the Potter Baseball Tour again. Last season he went on the entire 25 day Potter Tour, and played in the minor league stadiums for the Bowie Baysox, Frederick Keys, and the York Revolution. He also got to play in PNC Park, home of the MLB Pittsburgh Pirates. He has been splitting time between catching, and playing the outfield.

Brian Ratchford 2014

Brian Ratchford Drawing

Brian was one of my two best friends in high school. He, Kenny and I, went to Yorktown High School in Arlington Va.

Brian, or Duke as his family called him, and I wrestled together. He also played football. I took this side line picture in 1983. It was my senior year and Duke"s junior year. 

Coach Dave Trembley at Camden Yards 2014

Dave Trembley Drawing

Coach Dave and I at Camden Yards 

Coach Dave and My Pop and I

Coach Dave and I with Jacob and Joshua

Coach Dave signing prints

My signed print

Coach Dave and I talking baseball

Dave Trembley is the current bench coach for the Houston Astros. He served as the Manager of the Baltimore Orioles from 2007 until 2010. About a month ago, I received an email from Coach Dave. He had seen the drawing that I did of him in 2009, and was inquiring about getting it for his family as a keepsake of his time in Baltimore. I never thought the original drawing was a very strong piece and began working on a new image for Coach Dave while we planned a meeting. 

Last night my family met Coach Dave at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. He had arranged for field passes for my pop, two sons and I. We joined him on the field for the Astros batting practice. I presented him with the new drawing that he had not seen yet, and he presented Jacob and Joshua with signed bats. He also tossed each of them a ball while he was hitting ground balls during infield practice. 

We discussed baseball like old friends, and I told him about coaching my boys in youth baseball. He spoke to my Pop and I about his twenty plus years in professional baseball, and basing his entire career on just treating people well. He closed our conversation by saying that we are friends now, and please email him from time to time. I am looking forward to seeing Coach Dave later this summer when the Astros play an inter league series against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington D.C.

Mikaela Shiffrin 2014

Mikaela Shiffrin Drawing

American Alpine Skier: Mikaela debuted on the World Cup in 2011 when she was 15 years old. She just competed on the Slalom, and the Giant Slalom in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi Russia. She came in as the favorite to win the Slalom, and by winning became the youngest person in history to win a Winter Olympic Alpine Ski Gold Medal (18 years, 345 days). She is now the reigning Olympic, World Champion, and World Cup Champion in the Slalom. 

Joshua and Jacob Skiing 2014

 Jacob Skiing Drawing

Jacob catching some air at Ski Liberty

Joshua Skiing Drawing

Joshua sliding a box at Ski Liberty

Joshua and Jacob both started skiing when they were Five. This winter we skied at Seven Springs, and Ski Liberty. When we go, there are three generations together, as my father now 75 years old skis with us.

Jonathan Quick 2014

 Jonathan Quick Drawing

Shield Detail (actual color)

Hockey Goalie: Jonathan is the starting goalie for the Los Angelos Kings in the NHL. Last season the Kings won the Stanley Cup, and Johathan won the Conn Smythe Trophy for the MVP of the playoffs. ESPN also voted him as the NHL Best Player. Jonathan was the back up goalie for the USA hockey team in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics when they won the Silver Medal. He was the starting goalie for Team USA in the Winter Olympics this month in Sochi Russia. They were one of the favorites to win the Gold Medal. Team USA was eliminated from the tournament in the Bronze Medal game today. 

Bay Times Feb.19,2014

This month I put three of my Sports Art Drawings in The Human Form Show at the Kent Island Federation of Arts. The photographer from the Bay Times, Doug Bishop, has become a fan of my work over the years. Doug was also one of Navorro Bowmans High School teachers.

Olga Graf 2014

Olga Graf Drawing

Russian Olympic Speed Skater: Olga is a thirty year old woman from Omsk,Soviet Union. This past Sunday morning I was watching the Winter Olympics from Sochi Russia. The event was the Woman's 3000 Meter Speed Skating Race. As Olga was approaching the starting line for the tenth pairing, the commentators were saying how she was a strong skater but would not factor in the medal standings.Olga had not even qualified for the previous Olympics in Vancouver Canada. Lap after lap Olga was ahead of the current leaders pace. As she crossed the finish line, the Russian crowd went wild she had skated the best race of her life, and posted the fastest time of the event. After the thirteenth and final pairing, Olga had been bumped to the Bronze Medal, but she had become an Olympic medalist. Watching that drama unfold is why I love the Olympic games.Olga will also compete in the 1500, and the 3000 meters during the Sochi games. I know she will have at least on American fan watching!!!  

NaVorro Bowman 2013

 NaVorro Bowman Drawing

NaVorro Bowman Drawing in progress

San Francisco 49ers Linebacker: Navorro played his college ball at Penn State University. He was selected by the 49ers in the 2010 NFL Draft in the 3rd round, as the 91st pick overall. He made the 2012 NFL Pro Bowl. This year at seasons mid point, he is considered by many as the teams defensive player of the year. A good friend of mine taught him Social Studies in High School here in Maryland. 

Angela Salvagno 2013

 Angela Salvagno Drawing

Angela Salvagno drawing in progress

Anglea is a  IFBB Prefessional Bodybuilder: Her best win was the 2009 NPC USA Championship. She won the Light Heavyweight and the Overall division in that competition to allow her to go professional. She now continues to body build, and is an adult entertainer.

Ray Rice No.2, 2013

 Ray Rice No.2 Drawing

Ray Rice No.2 Drawing in progress

Running Back for the Baltimore Ravens, Ray has become one of the team MVP's, and a crowd favorite. Since being drafted in 2008, Ray is now second in rushing attempts, second in rushing yards, second in rushing touchdowns, and third in combined touchdowns, in the Ravens history. Last season in Superbowl XLVII, he won his first ring. He has gone to the Pro Bowl three times (2009,2011,2012).

My wife also has a big crush on him!!!

Floyd Mayweather Jr. 2013

Floyd Mayweather Jr. Drawing

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is an American boxer. He has won World Championships in five different weight classes.His management and training team are called The Money Team.

Quite honestly there was a time when I couldnt stand Floyd! His nicknames are "Pretty Boy", from his amateur days, and "Money" from the millions he has earned boxing. He flaunts his money, cars, women, and taunts his opponents with non stop verbal sparring. In 2007 I was really routing for Ricky Hatton to destroy him. Ricky was from Manchester England where my father is from. The super fight was billed as "Undefeated" as neither fighter had ever lost. Floyd destroyed the hard punching, brawling Hatton, and knocked him out in the tenth round.

Floyd took two years off from fighting. Now every time there is a fight scheduled for him, the media hype is huge. The experts all agree that the new opponent is the one who will beat him. They all have the "Blueprint on how to beat Floyd." Floyd wins most of the rounds, and defeats the now usually younger opponent. Floyds professional record is now 45-0, and he is considered the best pound for pound fighter in the world, and many think of all time. 

I have become a fan! 

Adam Jones 2013

Adam Jones Drawing

Center Fielder for the Baltimore Orioles: Adam Jones was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2003. He was traded to the Orioles in 2008. In 2009, and 2012, he was awarded an American League Gold Glove Award for outfield. He has also played in three MLB All Star games. 

Isaiah Lucas 2013

Isaiah Lucas Drawing

Myself with Meghan Lucas, her Daughter, and Coach Potter

As mentioned in the last two posts, Joshua will be going on a Potter Baseball Tour this summer. Coach Potter is running two tours this summer. Joshua will be going on the first tour. Isaiah will be going on the second tour. Isaiahs mother Meghan is the Director of Operations for Potter Baseball Tours. Coach Potter asked me to do this drawing for her. Monday night the Potter Tour 2013 was launched with a meet and greet, and Coach Potter and I presented Meghan with the drawing.

Potter Baseball Greeting Cards 2013

 Greeting Card 1

 Greeting Card 2

Promotional Flyer

As seen in my last post, Coach and Author Jeff Potter came to see my son Joshua play baseball for his high school team. The conversation came up regarding Joshua going on a Potter Baseball Tour this summer. Coach Potter puts summer baseball tours together for 13-15 year old boys. The tour will be twenty five days long, the boys will have the experience of being on the road like a minor league player. They will play in a number of minor league ball parks in addition to doing community service projects and tour hosted events along the way. Each player, along with his parents, are responsible for raising  his own tour fee. Joshua will be doing this by selling these greeting cards that I designed for the exclusive use of Potter Baseball.
Check out jeffpotterbaseball.com

Author/ Coach Jeff Potter 2013

 Author/Coach Jeff Potter's new book

 My Eric Potter Drawing on Pg.331 of Saving Baseball

Coach Potter and Joshua after one of his KIHS JV games

In November of 2011, I posted a drawing that I had done of a left handed pitcher named Eric Potter. He had just finished his pitching career at the University of Maryland, and been drafted by the Oakland A's. I had done the drawing of Eric who I had never met, as a gift for his Father and Mother. His father Author and Coach Jeff Potter has been, and continues to be a huge mentor to me coaching youth baseball. I presented the drawing to Coach Potter, his wife Sheryl, and Eric, at a Potter Baseball clinic that both of my sons attended. 

I ran into Coach last weekend at a baseball tournament with my younger son. He gave me a copy of his new book, Saving Baseball,  which includes my portrait of Eric. In addition to writing, Coach Potter runs summer baseball tours for 13-15 year old players. He remembered Joshua from the 2011 clinic. At the time,he called Joshua "Hockey Hair". Last night Coach Potter came to see Joshua play in a  Kent Island High School Junior Varsity game, for the possibility of Joshua playing on one of his tours.

For more information about Coach Potter, his books and baseball tours, check out www.jeffpotterbaseball.com  

Lil Lion 2013

 Lil Lion Drawing

Lil Lion Drawing in progress

Did this drawing for a friend of one of my hunting buddies. I dont even know the name of the little boy, but what a great picture! Queen Anne's High School is the rival high school of Kent Island High School where my son now plays Junior Varsity Baseball. GO BUCS!!