Based out of Massachusetts, Fox has defined himself as one of the top artists in the field of “sports art” over the course of the past 17 years. He was the commemorative artist at both the 2007 and 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Games, not to mention he was asked by the Boston Red Sox to commemorate their 2007 World Series run.
Before starting his freelance career in fine art, Fox produced t-shirt designs and illustrations for the award-winning New England-based company Liquid Blue. Aside from his popular sports paintings, Fox also paints fantasy, equine, landscape, celebrity and pet portraits.
Fox will continue his tradition of capturing sporting events on canvas when he arrives in Saratoga Springs on Aug. 23 to immortalize the 139th running of the Travers Stakes at Siro’s. I recently spoke with him about his passion for art, his experience of painting Major League Baseball’s All Star Game and his upcoming trip to Saratoga Springs.
Where did your passion for art begin?
I think like most artists when I was a kid I loved to paint. My parents were also young when they had me and my father was a musician, so I always felt that combination helped them to be open minded about my interest in art, which in turn encouraged me to pursue my passion for art from a young age all the way through college. With them it was never like, ‘go out and get a real job.’ It was like, ‘hey, keep pursuing what you love.’
Which artist(s) have had the greatest influence over your work?
The old masters like Rembrandt, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci have had a profound influence over my work because they understood the anatomy of the figures they were painting. But there are also other artists like John Singer Sergeant who have influenced my work as well.
Your work is centered on sports. Why have you chosen this subject as the main focus for your artwork?
Well I always liked playing sports - it’s something that I have always had a passion for. I think the raw power, energy and the spirit of a person or an animal is what I love trying to capture in my work and that is what has drawn me to them. In terms of my equine paintings, you know how people always compare athletes to thoroughbreds – well, the horses are the real thoroughbreds. Seeing them up close just blows my mind. All the muscles and power combined with the spirit of the animal is what draws me to capture the essence of the animal.
How did you come about receiving the opportunity to paint at the 2007 and 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game?
There was a licensee who came up with an idea to have an artist come and paint a commemorative piece of art that all the players would then sign and auction off for charity. Eighty players signed the painting and then the last year Major League Baseball called the licensee and asked him to have me back. While I was in New York this year, Major League Baseball asked me to come back again in 2009, so if everything works out I should be at the game again next year. It just blows me away that they keep asking me back.
What was the experience of painting at the All Star Game like?
Unbelievable! First of all it was a blessing to be there and a great opportunity. I am a huge baseball fan, so having the chance to be in the locker room with the players and painting live on the field was just a dream come true. And then to be asked again and again by Major League Baseball to come back and to have the players ask me for paintings has been a nice compliment as well.
Who are some of the athletes you have sold paintings to?
Curt Schilling, Tom Brady, and Larry Lucchino (Red Sox President) all have paintings, and right now I am doing some work with Josh Beckett and Ichiro Suzuki. I also have other opportunities coming up with some international sports like skiing, so there is a lot on the horizon right now. It just blows my mind when these high profile athletes show interest in my work.
How did you come about being asked to paint at Siro’s during the Travers Stakes on Saturday?
About five years ago a friend of mine, Alan Zura, told me that he wanted to bring me to Saratoga Springs because he felt that I would be inspired by the town and the horses – and he was right – I was blown away. So I started doing paintings of Funny Cide and jockey Jose Santos, and then as I continued to come and visit I became friends with the owners of Siro’s who asked me to come and paint the Kentucky Derby this past year, which I did. Then they suggested that I come back and paint during the Travers Stakes, so I agreed and I am really excited about it.
What is in store for the future?
I have a lot of private commissions. I work for Disney and Johnny Depp, so I do a lot of stuff with them. I have done paintings for the Pirates of the Caribbean that are exclusive to their galleries. Then recently they approached me and said they wanted me to paint their characters in a way I wanted to and they also wanted to make me a vendor, which has been a great experience. I also have a bunch of pro-athletes and entertainers like, James Gandolfini, who have expressed interest in my work. So there is quite a bit going on this year, which is very exciting.
To learn more about Brian
Fox, visit: www.brianfox
studios.com/.
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