Craig Gould Fine Art

I'm still alive and well

I have had a lot of things going on over the last three years and I should have been blogging about all of them, but I a) didn't quite have the time, b) not all of the things keeping me busy were art related and c) the things that were art related were on the down low.  But I'm now out of "stealth mode" and happy to announce the launch of my company All-American Sports Art.  

About 16 years ago, I was working for a transportation company while trying to make my art a full time gig.  After chasing down who was doing things I liked in the sports art world, I met Joe Macnak who was running a company called International Sports Decor.  That company was publishing signed limited edition prints of legendary Dallas Cowboys painted by Vernon Wells.  Wells had made a name for himself doing a series of images for Upper Deck trading cards in the early '90s and the line was well-received.  Joe and I first met in 1994 and tried to put some limited edition lithograph deals together that would feature particular athletes.  My work was featured in a sports art gallery at the Ballpark in Arlington at the time.  Long story short, it's really tough to get those deals done, especially in the days before digital printing.  In the era of off-set lithography, you would have to be out of pocket up front the cost of printing the entire edition, plus athletes like to have their money up front for each piece before a single item has sold.  There is also the risk with athletes of professional athletes that the athlete could get caught doing something appalling and the market for his merchandise just goes away.

In 1996, Joe and I came up with the idea of creating art for the college football fan that takes the specific athlete out of the equation.  I painted football uniform scenes for 20 major schools and we test marketed 8x10 and 16x20 matted and framed pieces to furniture stores around Texas.  There was some interest, but not enough to get momentum.  

Fast forward 14 years.  I get a call from Joe out of the blue.  We hadn't done much together in a while.  I had moved around the country, started a company, gotten married, had a couple of kids, etc.  Joe said that he had come across a company that provides art products for big box retailers nationwide and they had loved the concept of the college-themed sports art and home decor.  Based on their feedback, we resurrected this project.  Uniforms needed to be repainted to accommodate changes, backgrounds changed to reflect more modern sensibilities and in the end we added a broader variety of spirit products for each school.  The result is a huge selection of canvas giclees that really speak to each school's alums.  If you check out All-American Sports Art, you'll see over 450 product combinations for roughly 45 schools, as well a way to buy my original artwork and those Vernon Wells pieces I mentioned earlier.  I am currently adding to the product line every day.

So, check me out.  Follow me on Facebook, Twitter and my college sports blog Old School All-American.

I promise to check in more often.

Artist Craig Gould Uses His Work to Benefit Multiple Charities

PRESS RELEASE

Artist Craig Gould Uses His Work to Benefit Multiple Charities

Frisco, Texas, May 28, 2008 –  Artist Craig Gould has auctioned a number of original oil paintings in 2008 to benefit multiple charities, including the North Texas Food Bank and the Dallas Mavericks Foundation.  The proceeds of these donations have been used to fund after school programs, finance mission trips and provide up to 5,000 meals for at-risk children.

On March 21st, an original oil painting of Dirk Nowitzki was auctioned as part of the Dallas Mavericks Foundation’s Tux & Tennies Gala at the Ritz-Carlton in Dallas, Texas.  The event raises funds that are distributed to local charities that provide development and support for needy children in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.  Craig’s portrait of the league MVP was signed by Nowitzki and included in the evening’s silent auction. 

On April 13th, an original oil painting of Roger Staubach was auctioned as part of the 2008 Taste of the NFL Ultimate Dallas Cowboys Tailgate Party at Gilley’s in Dallas, Texas.  The painting was signed by professional football legend and local businessman Roger Staubach with all proceeds of the auction benefiting the North Texas Food Bank.  The organization, which is the largest food bank in the state of Texas, distributed 32 million pounds of food and groceries to needy individuals in 2007.

Most recently, Craig has partnered with fine art distributor Art Channel to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas as part of the festivities surrounding the 2008 Parade of Homes in McKinney, Texas.  Craig was commissioned to complete the first of a series of Harley-Davidson oil paintings commemorating Harley-Davidson’s 105th anniversary and coinciding with a local Harley-Davidson charity ride to the Parade of Homes event on May 17th.  The painting “2008 Fat Bob” captures the latest Harley incarnation and focuses on what has made the brand so famous - the v-twin engine and an enormous amount of chrome.  A limited edition of the painting is being published by Art Channel with 20% of all proceeds benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas. 

“The ability to have proceeds from a limited edition print go to a specific charity is far more effective than what I’m able to accomplish through a charity auction,” said the artist.  “This specific arrangement with Art Channel can lead to a contribution to Make-A-Wish that is up to 25-times larger than the amount we are able to raise through the auction of just one painting.”   Still, the auction of an original painting signed by the athlete can make a significant impact at the type of fundraising events non-profit organizations have come to rely on.  “Craig Gould’s recent donation of a one-of-a-kind Dirk Nowitzki painting was instrumental to the success of the 2008 Tux & Tennies Gala, benefiting the Dallas Mavericks Foundation,” said Matt Miller, Community Relations Coordinator for the Dallas Mavericks.  “The Dallas Mavericks and the Mavs Foundation were thrilled to partner with Craig for our 4th annual event, and we hope to be able to work with him again in the future.”

It hasn’t been just the large organizations that have benefited from Craig’s work this year.  On March 1st, an original oil painting of Michael Jordan was auctioned at a charity event in the Chicago area to benefit student missions for Faith Church in Dyer, IN.  The proceeds from the auction of the painting (which in this case was not signed by the athlete) proved sufficient to create scholarships for two students to go on church-sponsored mission trips this summer.

"I’ve found myself in times of need where it’s been a true blessing to receive a helping hand from organizations like these,” said Craig.  “I know that God wants me to use my gifts to provide that kind of assistance for someone else.  I can’t go through life with the knowledge that my work can help those in need and choose not to help.  My gift is painting, but each of us have been blessed with unique skills that enable us to help our neighbor.  Look around.  Get involved.” 

Craig and Art Channel will be on hand again at the Parade of Homes in McKinney, Texas (which also benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas) on June 7th and June 8th.  Advance orders of the Harley-Davidson print can be made at the event or online at www.craiggould.com. 

For additional information on Craig Gould and his artwork, contact Craig at 972-335-2211 or visit www.craiggould.com.  Free samples of Craig’s work are available for galleries and interior design professionals by e-mailing craig@craiggould.com.  Limited editions of selected works are currently available through Art Channel at www.artchannelgalleries.com.

ABOUT CRAIG GOULD FINE ART – Craig Gould Fine Art markets and distributes the work of noted artist Craig Gould.  Craig is a sports artist whose oil paintings capture the spirit of professional and collegiate athletics.  Although his portfolio includes themes as diverse as landscapes and motorcycles, Craig specializes in oil paintings for the fan of all sports, including football, basketball, baseball and various olympic events.  Craig's portfolio of sports art includes a number of portraits of current and former Dallas Cowboys, as well as other sports icons.  These oil paintings are fine works of art which allow us to reflect on the power, passion, grace and brutality of sport.  It's the game from the perspective of the athlete.

CONTACT:
Craig Gould
Craig Gould Fine Art
972-335-2211
craig@craiggould.com
http://www.craiggould.com