Sean Kane Baseball Art blog highlighting his painted baseball glove artwork featuring baseball players, exhibitions and other news from Sean's studio.
A recap of some of the fun stuff happening with baseball glove art can be viewed here (LINK opens in new window).
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The Milwaukee Brewers Fantasy Camp hosted me at their annual event this year and I brought along a couple of gloves especially for the occasion.
First off was a baseball glove painting featuring Brewers (and Red Sox) great, Cecil Cooper. I incorporated two portraits, including one of him batting, onto the vintage Rawlings pro model first base mitt. The painting process can be seen here.
Cecil had high praise for my work, mentioning this is just like a glove he used during his playing days. He shared some personal thoughts, which were quite touching.
The glove was won in a raffle by a happy Fantasy Camper, for whom Coop signed the glove -- right where I thought an autograph would look best. Now that's a keepsake!
Raffle proceeds went toward the Camp's charity this year, the ALS Association.
I also painted a leather mini-glove, only about 6-inches tall, with the Brewers Fantasy Camp logo. Mini-glove details here.
This glove artwork was for Fantasy Camp director, current Brewers TV broadcaster and former catcher, Bill Schroeder, pictured below. Bill has a keen interest in the history of the game and it was a treat to get to meet and talk with him.
My other generous host was photographer and Camp newsletter editor, Rick Ramirez, who expertly snapped great action shots even while talking with me in foul territory!
It also happened to be SABR Day while I was in Phoenix, the nationwide annual celebration of all things baseball by the Society of American Baseball Research.
I was invited to present my work at the Phoenix chapter event, held in the press box at Tempe Diablo Stadium, Spring home of the LA Angels. I received a very warm reception to my work plus some interesting questions from the group and got to meet some passionate fans -- my favorite.
SABR Executive Director, Marc Appleman and Rodney Johnson, Flame Delhi chapter president.
The SABR Day event also featured a wide-ranging debate between baseball writers and Hall of Fame voters Barry Bloom and Tony DeMarco regarding Hall of Fame voting.
A new series of handsome panels at Diablo Stadium depicting and recalling the history of the Cactus League was on display (opens in Facebook). And I received some promising insights from Shoeless Joe Jackson researcher, Jacob Pomrenke, about a 100 year old glove I'll be using for an upcoming project, too.
Being in Phoenix provided a chance to reconnect with a friend, John, who researches Negro Leagues baseball history. His current projects include compiling a collection of baseball cards of Negro Leagues players.
The Bowman 1952 cards are so nice, with crisp, illustrated player portraits. An amazing collection like this deserves a much better photo. They were beautiful and the stories behind each would fill many more hours.
A few days spent with Fantasy Campers, seeing them play ball, visiting with many major leaguers and team personnel, sharing my work with so many baseball people and hearing such kind words about what I'm doing -- all under clear skies and 80 degree temps-- It was a baseball experience that'll be tough to beat.
The biggest of thanks to the Milwaukee Brewers Fantasy Camp.
"The Kid" is featured on a vintage 1940s Ted Williams model baseball glove, painted by artist Sean Kane.
Updated (above) to include a few of his career highlights and iconic number 9.
This glove painting has been sold.
This antique three-finger Ted Williams-model baseball glove from the 1940s has his name stamped vertically. Metallic silver paint has been added to the deep stamping.
The glove was a product of the Ohio store chain, Cussins & Fearn, as seen on the Ohio state-shaped stamping.
Professional artist -quality acrylic paints were used for the glove art and it has been sealed with a matte acrylic coating.
Nicknamed "The Splendid Splinter", "Teddy Ballgame", "The Thumper" and "The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived" -- "The Kid" was apparently his preference.
Approximately 11 x 9 inches (28cm x 23cm)
Original acrylic painting on classic leather baseball glove from Ted Williams' era
Hand-painted portrait and lettering of Ted Williams and his preferred nickname
Handsomely packaged in an archival, gift-ready box with a black display easel
For gifts, a card with your personalized message can be included
Created with top quality materials to protect its longevity and lifetime of enjoyment
Sorry, this glove painting has been sold.
For inquiries about other artwork, giving it as a gift, or other questions: Please phone 519-836-5647 or email sean@seankane.com
Williams played his entire 19-year career for the Boston Red Sox, playing left field.
Number 9 (retired by the Red Sox) is regarded as one of the greatest hitters in baseball history, winning AL MVP twice, six batting titles and the triple crown twice.
His .406 batting average in 1941 was the last time any player hit over .400. His career batting average was .344 and he had 521 home runs.
Ted Williams was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1966. He managed the Senators/Rangers from 1969 to 1972.
Sean Kane's painted baseball glove art has been exhibited at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, has been the subject of a solo gallery show in New York City, and is in private collections across the U.S.
His glove paintings have been featured on ESPN.com, NBC Sports.com, and MLB Network Radio.
Sean has been a professional artist for over 20 years and a baseball fan since he was old enough to wear his dad's old mitt.
Helping to add to the fun on tap for the players, I'm creating special baseball glove paintings for the Fantasy Camp and more.
Custom baseball glove art being created for the camp includes this Bergino Mini-Glove adorned with the Brewers Fantasy Camp logo. Love that classic 'mb' glove logo!
Also on the glove is a glimpse of Beer Barrel Man, a Milwaukee baseball icon going back to the 1940s when the Brewers were a minor league club.
And the logo word 'Milwaukee', as it appeared on their road jerseys back in the 1980s. All this on a glove that's only 6 inches tall meant to hold business cards.
While in Phoenix with the camp I'll be making an presentation about my work and will have glove paintings featuring players on display.
Glove art with player portraits commissioned by the Brewers will be unveiled at Camp in January.
Big league thanks to the Brewers Fantasy Camp team for inviting me to contribute to the camp experience. Follow Brewers Fantasy Camp on Facebook and Twitter.
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If you'll be in Phoenix area January 21-24 and would like to see my work, please contact me.
And if you're interested in a custom mini-glove painting with your team or corporate logo, let's talk.
This item is SOLD.
"Rapid Robert" milestones are detailed on the Higgins 3-finger glove, including his 266 wins, 3.25 career ERA and 2581 strike outs.
The silhouette of Feller's iconic windup is depicted, referencing the Act of Valor award that has been created in his honor and his uniform number 19.
Feller missed nearly four full seasons of his career while serving in World War II, which is represented by the four stars in the glove's web.
"The Heater from Van Meter" was a member of the Cleveland Indians 1948 World Series Championship team and won the pitching Triple Crown in 1940.
Looking for a similar glove painting? I can create custom baseball glove artwork. Just Let Me Know.
For inquiries about this artwork, giving it as a gift, or other questions: Please phone 519-836-5647 or email sean@seankane.com
Sean Kane's painted baseball glove art has been exhibited at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, has been the subject of a solo gallery show in New York City, and is in private collections across the U.S.
His glove paintings have been featured on ESPN.com, NBC Sports.com, and MLB Network Radio.
Sean has been a professional artist for over 20 years and a baseball fan since he was old enough to wear his dad's old mitt. More info >
While you await the next installment of my Dugout Dispatch, here are some past issues:
The 'Dugout Dispatch' is a monthly quick update on the latest baseball art projects, process and inspiration, events and exhibitions.
Sean Kane's baseball glove art is in the collection of the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and was part of the "Chasing Dreams" exhibit at the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art. Sean was recognized as “Artist of the Month” by the National Art Museum of Sport. His work has been commissioned by the Philadelphia Phillies, Cal Ripken Sr Foundation and The Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. More about Sean
Inquires about paintings and commissioning glove artworks are welcome. Please contact sean@seankane.com or telephone 519-836-5647.
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City opened their "Negro Leagues Beisbol" exhibit last week (May 16, 2014).
The exhibit includes a collection of five glove paintings featuring players who exemplified the relationship between the Negro Leagues and Latin baseball.
A glove painting I created highlighting the career of Cuban great Martin Dihigo made its public debut at the VIP Sponsors Opening Night Celebration held at the museum.
The artwork on a vintage 1940s glove is now part of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum's permanent collection.
The new exhibit explores the rich cultural and historical connection between American-born Negro Leaguers and players of Hispanic descent, who often played in each other's leagues.
Five Painted Gloves on display at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Kansas City.
Other art in the exhibit includes Willie Mays and Hank Aaron glove paintings, both of whom played in the Negro Leagues and in Latin American.
The great Puerto Rican Roberto Clemente is also represented on a painted glove in the exhibit.
Another Cuban great, Minnie Minoso, is represented on a glove painting in the exhibit. While maybe best known as a Chicago White Sox player, Minoso was active in the Negro Leagues and the Cuban League, where he won Rookie of the Year in 1945-46.
The opening celebration included many former Negro League players, including Enrique Maroto, Pedro Sierra, George Altman and others.
With museum president Bob Kendrick.
What great stories I got to hear, including what it was like to be starting pitcher in the East-West Negro Leagues All-Star game in front of 50,000 at old Comiskey Park. Priceless.
I also had the pleasure of visiting with museum supporters, former major leaguers Willie Wilson and Bobby Dernier, and the hard working team at the NLBM, including museum president Bob Kendrick and curator Dr. Ray Doswell.
And, all of this is taking place in Kansas City, where in 1920, Rube Foster lead the forming of the Negro National League.
The "Negro Leagues Beisbol" exhibit continues until September 30, 2014. The exhibit is presented by Sprint and the Kauffman Foundation and admission is free to the public.
Definitely plan to stop by 18th & Vine for an enriching experience and to learn about baseball's international heritage!
He admired the painting and autographed it backstage before an appearance in Cleveland, where the painting was exhibited at the National Sports Collectors Convention on August 3, 2014.
This painting has been SOLD.
(Photo of glove before it was autographed.)
Johnny Bench portrait and Hall of Fame career stats on an autographed, signature model Rawlings catcher's glove.
Johnny Bench adding autograph signature to glove portrait.
Autograph detail above.
(Photo of glove before it was autographed.)
Career milestones are detailed in the glove web.
Back of glove with Rawlings label.
Glove is framed in 18 x 14 inch black wood frame with linen mat. Shadow box style with glove mounted in 1-inch deep frame, no glass. Hanging hardware is attached and it is ready for display.
Approximately 11" x 10" (25cm x 23cm)
Original acrylic painting on classic leather baseball glove from Bench's era
Hand-painted portrait and lettering highlights Bench's awards and career milestones
Handsomely framed in black wood with cloth mat, 18" x 14".
THIS HAS BEEN SOLD.
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Sean Kane's painted baseball glove art is on exhibit at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, has been the subject of a solo gallery show in New York City, and is in private collections across the U.S.
His glove paintings have been featured on ESPN.com, NBC Sports.com, and MLB Network Radio.
Sean has been a professional artist for 20 years and a baseball fan since he was old enough to wear his dad's old glove. More info >
