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"THE GOWDY/ROONEY/STEELER CONNECTION" Many hard core sports fans will probably recognize the name “Curt Gowdy.” Many of us grew up watching and listening to this man as he announced the Super Bowls, College Bowl Games, dialogue for the Olympics competitions for decades, on Wide World of Sports, and most memorably, the life-long voice of the Boston Red Sox. Many also remember Mr. Gowdy because of his famous “American Sportsman” show about hunting and fishing with some of the most famous sports figures and celebrities of all time.
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He was a “sportsman’s sportsman.”
Among his peers and co-workers through the years, he was known as the
“Cowboy Behind the Mic.”
To all of us "hardcore" Steeler fans, Curt Gowdy's voice will forever be burned into our brains. For it was the “Cowboy Behind the Mic” who called the most famous play in all sports, Franco Harris' "Immaculate Reception!" |
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| In 2004, I had the ultimate privilege of meeting this man in his home state of Wyoming. He was attending the "Annual Art Auction" at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming. Mr. Gowdy was a large donator to this wonderful museum. What a gracious man he was! To everyone who knew this man, it was a great loss when he passed away in February of 2006. The night before I met Curt, I was introduced to his wonderful daughter, Cheryl. It was then she asked me if I would do her father's portrait. After his passing, we started the process of acquiring just the right photograph that I was to use as reference. Cheryl put me in contact with the Gowdy photographer, Carrie Bradburn of Capehart Studio, in West Palm Beach, Florida. |
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| Curt's favorite photograph showed him seated along his favorite trout stream near where he was raised in Wyoming. He was wearing his favorite Stetson, his eagle bolo tie, holding his favorite fly rod and reel and pinned to his collar was a "special" antelope pin. Cheryl said that the antelope was his favorite animal. What you see here is the final result I painted using that great photograph. This original now hangs proudly over the fireplace of Curt's lovely wife Jerre's, new home. The "commission" and the new home were proudly dedicated on February 20th, 2007 on the one year anniversary of his passing. The family asked that I appropriately title the piece, "The Cowboy On The River." He is terribly missed by his family, all those that knew him and all those who just enjoyed this man throughout their lifetimes. | |||||
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I still keep hearing Cheryl's words ringing in my head. She told me over and over again, "My Daddy is going to take you places you just can't imagine." True to her words, one month after I finished his painting I received a phone call that had a nice lady's voice on the other end. She ask if this was Denny and asked if I would talk to Mr. Art Rooney, Jr. If you know anything about the Steelers, the five Rooney brothers are the sons of the late, great, Art Rooney Sr., founder and owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, a/k/a "The Chief." | ||||
| That phone call was coming from Art Rooney, Jr.! When the conversation started, for me, it was like "God" had come calling! This was the man who was personally responsible for drafting and recruiting four "Hall of Famers" in one draft!! The famous Lynn Swann, John Stallworth, Jack Lambert and Mike Webster made football history. No one has ever done this, matter of fact, no one has even come close and probably never will again!! Growing up as a Steeler fan, going to school in Pittsburgh, even parking in the old Three Rivers Stadium parking lot to walk to to art school, every Steeler fan like me has to feel some kind of "closeness" to the Steeler organization. To me, it is like you really "know" all these people. It is hard to explain. | |||||
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I know there are "fans" and there are "Steeler Fans." Just watch any
Steeler away game. There seems at times to be as much "black & gold" as
the home team's colors. This has just not been since the last Super Bowl
win, but for as long as I can remember. A lot of it has to do with the
downfall of the mighty steel industry in Pittsburgh that died a terrible
death years ago and many of the "Steeler Faithful" moved all over the
U.S. to find work.
As the conversation started with Mr. Rooney, I was astounded with how
he DID make me feel like he has known me for years. He started the
conversation with my art, but we went into other directions. Stories
we both had about "Steeler" tattoos, Joe Paterno, coach at Penn State,
relationships with places in Pennsylvania and several other things. He
told me that the Rooneys were known for getting off the main subject
but would always get back to the main reason for the call, "my art."
Mr. Rooney told me how he had gone into his friend's, the late Curt
Gowdy's, photographer's studio in West Palm Beach, Florida. While
there, Curt's photographer, Carrie Bradburn showed him my portrait of
Curt as well as my artwork on my website. He told me that he was very
impressed with the detail and photorealism. He said that my artwork
strongly reminded him of his old portrait artist, the famous Merv
Corning that he had used for over twenty years.
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I felt bad when he told me that he had passed way from cancer. He was not able to finish the long job of doing all the "Steeler Greats." He told me that while looking at my Native American portraits, he said that he felt I had caught them as the "true warriors" that they were. He said, "my players are 'warriors' too and I know you can get that in their portraits." I felt like I was being blown from my chair as I listened to his words! | ||||
| He told me that he wanted to send me samples of Merv Corning's work. Well, the envelope arrived a day or two later, true to his word. After looking at the other portraits, (many I had seen before) I feel that I could paint the other Steelers in the same style. Matter of fact, I can see the similarities in our styles, apparently this is what Mr. Rooney saw too. | |||||
| He told me that the first "warriors" would be former Steeler and long time best friend, All Pro Linebacker, Jack Butler, and the linebackers Andy Russell, Hall of Famers, Jack Ham and Super Bowl MVP, Lynn Swann. | |||||
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As a "true fan," I now feel so humbled to be one of the very few life-time Steeler fans who now has a personal friendship with the legendary Art Rooney, Jr. I feel honored that I can now be of service to Mr. Rooney and the Steeler organization. I am not just another fan screaming at the TV screen. You cannot possibly know how many excellent artists, including other Pittsburgh artists, that Mr. Rooney looked at to fill Corning's shoes. For me to get the call, is totally mind-blowing! Is there a God? I know so and I would bet he is a "Steeler Fan" who likes a couple of "Cowboys" and a "Grand Old Irishman". Lastly, God Bless you Mr. Gowdy, I know you're up there! BTW, Mr. Rooney told me that he really liked the "Steeler" hat in my photograph on my contact page!! He knew that I was not just another fan. but an artist with a "Steeler" passion |
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ART ROONEY SR. "THE CHIEF" |
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Before you scroll on down to
see my latest Steeler pieces, I want to post my latest
commissioned piece. This one is special, to say the least. This is
Hall of Famer, Art Rooney, Sr, aka "The Chief." Art Rooney Jr. is
just putting the finishing touches to what looks like what will be
one fantastic book about the life and times of his father. From
the partial manuscript that I have in hand, this looks to be a
"ten-years in-the-making" masterpiece! The cover art will be
graced by several fantastic portraits that have been done of "The
Chief." In the group, there are several portraits from my
predecessor, the late, great Merv Corning, a fantastic local
Pittsburgh artist, Dino Guarino, the famous sports artist LeRoy
Neiman and lastly
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Art
Rooney Jr's cousin, Kathy Rooney, (http://www.krooney.net/)
who is not only also laying
out the whole piece, but has her great portrait of "The Chief"
included as well. What an honor to have been asked to have my work
appear in such fine, fine company. I am truly humbled.
I will post the
final cover that is being done along with
more information about when and where Mr. Rooney's book will be
available.
This is my pencil version of "The Chief."--Denny |
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DANIEL M. ROONEY-"CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD" |
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Dan has spent
50-plus seasons in various capacities with the family-owned
Steelers. He was appointed team president in 1975. He has
implemented a philosophy and management style that emphasizes
open, practical and efficient management. Dan joins father Art
Rooney, Sr. as the second father-son combination in the Hall of
Fame. He is an integral part of one of the modern era’s most
successful franchises, and has help guide the Pittsburgh Steelers
to five Super Bowls.
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TROY POLAMALU-STRONG SAFETY |
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| This is Troy Polamalu. To date, this is the highest profile commission that I have had to do. For some of you "Die-hard Steeler Fans," you already know who Troy Polamalu is. For those of you who do not, Troy is one of the hardest working, most talented players to play the game of football. He just re-signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. | |||||
| Troy was the 16th overall choice in the draft a few years ago. He received a five-year, $8.275 million contract. There is also a total of $3.2 million in performance incentives over the course of the contract that could push the potential value to $11.475 million! This makes him the highest paid strong safety in the entire league! In my opinion, no one deserves this more than this young man. Visually, there is no mistaking #43 on the field and no one covers a playing field like Troy, no one! |
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| Leigh and I had the opportunity to interview Aaron Smith. He is a "gentleman's gentleman." We did an interview with him back in the first week of June when I was asked by the "Steeler Front Office" to draw and paint Troy's portrait first to hang in the up-coming 75th Steeler Anniversary Show at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum This is first of two sets of portraits that I am scheduled to do of Troy. This first piece is being drawn from one fantastic photograph that I bought from a national image source company. The photograph was taken last year at Denver's Stadium. As I scanned through hundreds of photos of Troy, I knew the very second that I laid eyes on this shot, it was "THE" one! Those who have seen this so far say he has all the looks of a "Warrior." I totally agree...he is the "Steel Warrior," as Leigh calls him. | |||||
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| TROY POLAMALU- Oil Work in Progress | |||||
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This is version one of my
"work-in-progress" of Troy's oil painting. This piece is being done on a
specially prepared 1/8" Masonite board. It is called "Claybord"
manufactured by the Ampersand company. The board has a base layer of
white clay, over-layed with a coating of Gesso. The surface is rather
smooth. It has just enough tooth to help pull the paint from the brush.
It is considerably more of a smoother surface than most canvas surfaces.
The two biggest advantages are that the Masonite is a lot more stable
and durable than a canvas and the smooth surface lets me get a more
desirable "realistic" finished piece.
The oil painting is quite
a bit bigger than the pencil study below. Troy's image is just shy of
being life-size. The Claybord is 18" x 24" overall and I paint
edge-to-edge.
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| After drawing all my lines on the board, I started painting Troy's helmet and face. As you can see, having the face guard over his face gives an added challenge to make sure all the spaces between the bars look like they all look like they go with his face. It sounds simple but you are dealing with many different colors and shading in such small areas.The trick is to get his likeness to show through these small areas. One other thing that I am dealing with is, the bars from the face guard are casting shadows in several places on his flesh and chin strap. I have been told that he looks just like a "modern day warrior." One reason other than he truly is, is the shadows from the bars almost give the appearance of war paint. | |||||
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Here is version two. As
you can see, I have roughed in the face guard bars. His face guard is so
classic, like many of other Steeler face guards. They wear all the
battle marks and polished wear. These are the kind of things that really
bring a piece alive and say so much much about the person and how he
plays the game, "In your face!!"
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| This is version three. I have done something different with Troy's piece because of his hair. On an oil painting, I almost always paint in the background last. Because his hair is so fine and dark, I switched it up and painted in the faded background first. Most of my pencil study backgrounds are almost always done on the very first step after drawing my lines in. |
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This is version 4. On my pencil study, I draw all the dark shadows between the hair over a lightly rubbed surface. Here, I lay down a solid dark area. | ||||
| On version 5, I use a soft, bristled, blunt-ended brush. I stand the brush straight up and pretty much dab and blend all at the same time. Because of both things are wet, they tend to blend together to form a nice transition between background and hair. This is why I painted the background first. I have roughed in many of the "fly-away hairs" and I will be adding more after the hair and background dry some. Now, onto the areas below. |
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Here is version 6. As you can see I
have roughed in the black areas of Troy's jersey. When I say "rough,"
this is extremely rough. I will smooth the whole thing out after the paint
sets up slightly. I will add a lot more contrast. The shadow areas will be
much darker. After this dries completely, I will do the tedious work of
painting the hundreds of holes in the front panel of his jersey. Meantime,
I will work the shoulder pad area. Nothing like a great "Steeler Gold" to
make this whole piece "pop!" |
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| Version 7 as promised. Be it that many areas are still rough, it is starting to come together nicely. I will be detailing Troy's jersey in version 8. There will another version or two after that. |
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This is version 8. All that I got
this evening is nothing but holes! My eyes are going buggy. I seem to get
the effect I wanted. It is tough job getting the holes to look like they
are in a perfect pattern even though there are many folds to paint around. Tomorrow should be the final. Stay tuned. |
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"THE FINAL"
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TROY POLAMALU is for sale. $6000. Please contact the artist for shipping and handling charges |
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TROY POLAMALU- Pencil Study-Work in Progress |
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This is the first installment of the "work-in-progress" for Troy Polamalu's pencil study. This will aid in the process of working into the oil painting that is coming next. The pencil study helps to work out any hard to see details and techniques to get the right textures, shading, shadows and so on. The overall image size is 12" x 16" where as the oil will be 18" x 24" overall. I started by hand-rubbing in the cloudy background. It is achieved by applying powdered charcoal using a Kleenex tissue on my index finger. |
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You can see the charcoal I am using on the piece of paper in the photograph below. Most of the actual drawing is done with German-made "Faber-Castell" drawing pencils. I use a very soft lead. The pencils are 6B and 8B grade. A normal "school pencil" is usually a 2B. This is how I am able to achieve the darkest of darks. It is very hard to keep a good point on the pencils and they do require frequent sharpening. Thank God for electric sharpeners! | ||||
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The first "work-in-progress" picture of Troy was done in 5-6 hours. In the second picture, I am 9-10 hours into the piece. I finished the last session by laying down a dark base for Troy's hair. You can see me actually laying this area in on the last photo. I will be detailing the hair next. |
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This is my next session. What I call the "hair
session" that is.
I have roughly drew in
the darkest areas of Troy's hair with a 8B pencil. I pretty much
drew right over the charcoal base that I laid down in version 2. It's
funny, I used to hate drawing hair, now it is one of my favorite
things to do. I have more people ask me how I do the hair. The secret
is to draw "between the hair" and not the hair, except on the ends.
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| On this next step, I rubbed the shaded areas with a paper rub stick and smoothed out all the sharp edges on the shadows. A rub stick or paper "Blending Tortillon" as they are called, has somewhat of a point on the end. After I smooth all the pencil lead around, it coats the end pretty well. This is what I use to draw many of the wispy strands of hair. I also use a sharpened 4B pencil to finish off the remaining hair. |
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I will go in and smooth the hair a little more when I blend the hair into the background. | ||||
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It is really hard to judge how long
it takes to draw certain things in a piece. Case in point, rendering
Troy's hair, it took a lot less time to do than I figured. I really
thought I would breeze through the shoulder pad area. It took almost six
hours to just rough in this area. The stitching took a little longer
than I thought. Things like the stitching will really get people's
attention. I have been asked many times how I am able to make something
look so real. Right out of my mouth comes, "I draw what I see," just
that simple.
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Just one little thing that I noticed is that it looks like the jersey is literally stuck to the shoulder pad. The big crease around the bottom of the hard pad would not usually form to that shape that tight. There are also some "tell-tale" wrinkles that look like that they were created by using a spray adhesive. Maybe I am just blowing smoke. Less chance of someone getting their hands on the jersey? Anyway, I like how the shoulder area is coming around. |
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I am leaving the hundreds of mesh
holes on the front of the jersey until last. The hardest challenge is
last. I should have one more version before the final.
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The Signing
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"THE FINAL"
TROY POLAMALU -Pencil Study is for sale. $2500. Please contact the artist for shipping and handling charges |
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ANDY RUSSELL #34 |
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Here are the three Russell pieces.
The first is the "pencil study" which is 12" x 16". Secondly, is the
"traditional oil" of Andy. The size is 16" x 20". The original was painted
on Masonite. Lastly is the "collector card" for Mr. Rooney's collection of
former "Steeler Greats." Not only is this art used for on the collector
cards, it
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The 16th round draft choice, Andy Russell #34, began his NFL career as an outside linebacker and was one of the few “Steeler warriors” who actually stuck it out in the early days to witness and play a huge role in the formation and ultimate success of the famous “Steel Curtain” defense that led the Steelers into two consecutive Super Bowl Championships in the 1974 and 1975 seasons. That same stick-to-it-ness in football led Russell to phenomenal success in the business world when he opened and managed an investment firm, even as he was still playing football. Russell credits his successes to his talented teammates and business associates. Russell’s $1000 per game “rookie” salary seemed like a fortune back in 1974 but he was talented and savvy enough to diversify his business talents and money in other venues that led to his business success off the field as well.
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Russell’s first stint during the early 60’s with the Steelers led to many lost games so much so that the team was referred to as “S.O.S. – Same Old Steelers.” Fans simply expected “more of the same” after years of defeat. Russell left the Steelers briefly in 1964 briefly and after a tour of duty in the military, Russell returned in 1966 and persevered with the team until the 1974 season for a “new game and new look,” the new look that led the Steelers down the path of Champions earning the team a new respect and status from its fans and the entire NFL. | ||||
| Over the course of Russell’s 12-year career as a Steeler, he made Pro Bowl selection seven times, was named the Steeler MVP in 1971, was the Steelers’ team captain for 10 years (1967-1976) and was credited with a two-time consecutive Super Bowl Championship in 1974 and 1975. “One for the thumb” had special meaning to this “true to the heart” Steeler player and fan when the Pittsburgh Steelers were led into their 5th Super Bowl Championship in 2006. In recent years, Russell authored two well-received books, A Steeler Odyssey (1998) and An Odd Steelers Journey (2002). |
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JACK BUTLER- A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS |
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Jack Butler never played high school football. He attended a
seminary to study for the Catholic priesthood. Later, he instead
pursued another vocation but truly did not foresee what the future
held for him. While attending St. Bonaventure University in Olean,
NY, the Athletic Director approached Jack about trying out for the
varsity football squad. The Director recalled playing sand lot
football with Jack’s father back in Pittsburgh, PA. He told Jack
that his dad was a fine player and maybe young Jack had inherited
some of that talent from his dad. That Athletic Director was Father
Silas of St. Bonaventure. Father Silas -- also known as Dan Rooney -- was the brother of Art Rooney, Sr. “The Chief” -- owner of the NFL team The Pittsburgh Steelers. |
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Jack Butler – Locker Room-Forbes Field, 2007 Traditional oils on Masonite, 18” x 24" |
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| Jack Butler developed into a fine defensive end and receiver. He was called by the Steelers for a try-out. At that time, the Steelers still played the single wing offense. Butler ended up as a defensive end. He proved himself to be a gifted athlete and a very tough one too. Near the end of that 1950 season, injuries to a teammate forced Butler to move into the defensive backfield. In the short time left to play that season, number “80” played so well that he then assumed that position and prevailed for the next eight years. | |||||
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Jack Butler was All Pro, named to the Pro Bowl four times; intercepted 10 passes in one season, four of them in one game; filled in as a wide receiver and scored a couple of touchdowns. He was the second leading pass interceptor in the NFL at that time with a total of 52, all achieved in only 8 years of play. His brilliant career ended after a crippling knee injury in his ninth season. Later, Butler was named to the NFL 1950’s “Team of the Decade.” He was also named one of the top 300 players to have ever played in the NFL, the “All NFL First 50-Years” team, and the “All-Time Steeler Team.” Following his playing days with the Steelers, Butler coached with
the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers. His leg injury cut
short an NFL coaching career. He became a Steeler talent scout for a
few years before joining the newly created Blesto Scouting Group.
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Jack Butler – Forbes Field-A Game of Passion and Honor, 2007 Traditional oils on Masonite, 14” x 24" |
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After a year or two, Jack became the
Director of the organization and later its’ President. He has scouted or
influenced the scouting of over 30,000 college football players to date. Nearing his retirement, these three portraits of number “80” commemorate his brilliant career in the NFL as a player, coach, scout and executive. He has been married to his wife, Bernadette, for over 50 years. They have 8 children and numerous grand children. Jack Butler is honored as an exceptional athlete and truly as “A Man For All Seasons.” -- Art Rooney, Jr |
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Jack Butler – Training Camp 2007 Traditional oils on Masonite, 18” x 24" |
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ERNIE STAUTNER-HALL OF FAME
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There have been numerous instances in NFL
history where a very good player is overlooked because he toils for a
very bad team. This, however, was not the case for Ernie Stautner.
During his 14-year career, all with the
Steelers, Stautner never played for a winning team. He did, however,
have no problem gaining attention for his stellar play. Undersized for a
defensive lineman, Stautner was incredibly persistent and tough as
nails. He would beat on a player until he would eventually wear him
down.
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Though Stautner never won any championships
with the Steelers, he made enough of an impact to be selected Pro Bowl 9
times and be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969, his first year of
eligibility. Throughout his playing career, which spanned 14 years, Stautner played in nine Pro Bowls and missed just six games. He remains the only player in Steelers franchise history to have his jersey number retired and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1969.
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Drafted out of Boston College in the
third-round in 1950, Stautner was a member of the Steelers long before
their dominance in the 1970s. Though he played at just 6 feet 1 inch,
230 pounds, Stautner retired as the NFL leader in safeties and ranked
third in fumble recoveries.
While undersized for his position, Stautner
was known around the league for his blue collar work ethic and non-stop
energy.
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Ernie's physical and relentless style of play helped the Steelers earn a
reputation for being one of the NFL's toughest teams in the 1950s,”
Rooney said. “He was undersized for his position, but his strength and
power were among his greatest assets.” After retiring as a player, Stautner joined the Dallas Cowboys as an assistant coach. He helped coach the team to two Super Bowl titles in 1971 and 1977. Stautner is credited with developing some of the greatest defensive lineman in Cowboy’s history, including Randy White and Ed “Too Tall” Jones. Stautner also served as an assistant with the Steelers, Washington Redskins and Denver Broncos.
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These two collector cards (which are actually poster size) will be hanging in the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, starting in November 2007, to commemorate the Pittsburgh Steelers 75th anniversary |
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Please keep checking the site. Just recently, Leigh and I had interview Aaron Smith. He will be the second of the "current" Steelers to see himself drawn and painted. These portraits are slated to hang in the Steelers 75th Anniversary Shows at the Great Hall, Heinz Field and on to the Pittsburgh Sports Museum this fall. Stay tuned!! |
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