This is the last and only remaining piece of 13 paintings of Hall of Fame catcher, Carlton Fisk . It was inspired by my observation of Fisk's long career in which he represented an individual with high standards. He was a captain, able to control the speed and course of his ship without compromising himself or his teammates.  He was proud and intense, a protester of things not done according to his standards. He fiercely embodied the American ethic of hard work, honesty, and pride that it is so easy for society and baseball to forget.  

 

In my studio he expressed his wish is to be remembered not as a member of one team, but as a good catcher.  For this reason in this piece I placed him in space, devoid of a background, in time that is ambiguous. Rather than work with his two team colors I used a limited oil/wax color palette and the least amount of line and paint to emphasize his gesture to his coach.  These warm and cool hues serve as vehicles for abstraction, three point perspective and emotional expression. This attempt to set up tension on the picture plane I owe to Manet, Tissot, Color Field painting and the camera lens.  I credit the outline of the pose for this painting to Ponzini photography.