Blog with Alberta Sport Artist Joe Versikaitis

2012-09-30T23:48:00.006-06:00

Just letting you good folks out there know that I am back doing my blogs. We moved to Red Deer, AB. Life has been a little heck tick for the last 6 months or so. I will be continuing to create art. So far I have been doing some decorative art work for my beautiful wife to use throughout the house.

She got me to paint something called -Flowers!?!?

I also did some landscape using 3 or 4 colours that we are using in our home decoration theme. They are kinda cool and I will post these a little later.

But for now I want to draw your attention to my next piece called " Burris "

It all started with a phone call from a world known sports artist by the name of Stephen Holland. We talked about approaching professional sports teams, players, and what inspired him to paint. Our conversation went from hockey to basketball and then to football. With his encouragement I added another sport into my portfolio.
The Canadian Football League!
With Stephens encouragement to pursuit this project I charted a course of action. I knew that I couldn’t just approach the football squads without knowing who to approach. Since I was in search of another painting project for a local charity called CARO. I had a conversation with Rob Wanner, CARO - President in turn introduced me to Medicine Hat - Alderman - Graham Kelly. Mr. Kelly himself a CFL sport writer with many books about the CFL and the Grey Cup. With Grahams help, I able to send out corresponding letters to four CFL clubs asking for permission to create one of kind art pieces of a few of their players.
It was the Calgary Stampeders that gave me this opportunity. Let me tell you I was pretty excited when I found out I was granted permission to the sideline for a photo shoot of a game between the Calgary Stampeders and the Hamilton Ti-Cats! This story is why I love doing this!
The day of the game my nerves got the best of me. I remember arriving at the McMahon Stadium parking lot and the gentleman at the gate telling me that I was a little early... like 3 hours early!
The painting is only half of the experience. The other part was being on the sideline during the game . The freedom to walk around any where on the sidelines to take action photos was a unique and wonderful experience. I was like an artist in a candy store wondering which piece I should take and in this case which player I can take photos of.
The thrill to take different angle shots of place kicker Burke Dales and Field Goal specialist Rene Paredes was something from a sport documentary. While they were going through their routines I was trying to find that perfect shot. I’m sure glad they didn’t get mad at me for doing that. At one point I wanted to ask Rene if he remembers anything about Venezuela since this is where we both were born. But then I found myself being distracted by the other events taking place on the sideline.
I watched coach John Hufnagel wandering onto the field with his head set wrapped around his neck asking the referee for an explanation on a call. By then the night sky had set in and now the stadium lights lit up McMahon’s field. Coach Hufnagel turned towards the sideline puts his head set back on his head and walked towards the sideline. You can see that he was in deep concentration. As an artist I am always looking for that particular pose or stance of a player in this case it was coach Hufnagel. I pictured the distant crowd behind him as a darken blur and there in front of me was a living legend in the spot light. I remember telling the TSN camera man. Look at that “ WOW “ way too cool. As he turned and pointed his camera at Coach Hufnagel all he could say was - This is why I love doing this. At that moment I took the opportunity to snap a few photos of my own. Hopefully a future painting!
Back to the “ Burris ” painting, after a week of pouring over action photos I made up my mind to go with a couple of shots put together. One photo shows Henry clasping the ball in front of him. The only thing I didn’t really like was the quality of photo. The pose is great but the quality wasn’t there. He was out in the middle of the field just a little too far for my 200mm. So I found another pose from a series of shots that I took of Henry while standing in front of the players area during a break in play. The quality is great. The photo shows Henry looking at me while I took his photo. So I combine the head and body together in photoshop and presto! We have a pose!

I was really happy and excited with that pose. It looks like Henry is running with the ball and looking at me to throw the ball to! ..lol

Jersey retirement for Curtis Glencross on Dec 9th at The Brooks Centennial Regional Arena

2011-12-05T20:36:00.001-07:00

On Dec 9th, 2011 the Brooks Bandits will raise and retire the number 17 to the rafters wore by Curtis Glencross. From being cut by a couple of junior-A teams in his midget year to finally in 2000 getting the chance to play for the Brooks Bandits Jumior A Team. Curtis Glencross knows what it takes to succeed in the NHL and if you think it was summer hockey camps?..Think again!...You can read about Curtis's success a little later.
Besides the jersey retirement celebration there is also going to be the signing of Limited Edition Digital Art Photographs.
These 11 x 14 prints are designed by yours truly using photos that were taken while I was a director with the Brooks Bandits. Curtis and myself will be signing these prints after the raising of the jersey to the rafters...

Limited Edition 11 x 14 Digital Art Photograph of Curtis Glencross

Watch Video Glencross Jersey Retirement

If you get a chance to go into Brooks on December 9th, come join the celebration, get a chance to meet a Brooks Bandits legend and an NHL super star.

Dec10th, 2011

A great night was had by all last night at the Curtis Glencross jersey retirement game in Brooks. It was good to see and talk to Curtis again. Besides a few more scars, he hasn't changed too much, still a skinny kid. Or.... I'm just getting fatter I guess!

It was great to see and talk to all the people that I haven't seen in a while. I wish you all well..

Curtis and I signed all 17 of the prints and now they are up for sell for anybody interested in one of these babies. At $250 you can add your name to a list for a copy of this print. Once they get framed we will contact you..

I hate to throw in a cliché but "They are selling fast". These will make great Man Cave presents....

A BIG Thank you to all that have purchased a print

You can contact Paul Seaton at 501 1794.. Take care and Merry Christmas... Joe Versikaitis

and here is the story written by Calgary Sun writer Steve Macfarlane.
Curtis Glencross wasn’t always this fierce.

Growing up in Eastern Alberta, the atom-aged house-league hockey player was happy to hang out with his buddies on the ice all winter and switch to some other sport during the warmer months.

And when body contact was introduced in pee-wee, the wee lad wasn’t learning how to throw a crushing check the way he has proven very capable of on the forecheck for the Calgary Flames these days — he was learning to protect himself.

“I was small. I had to learn how to take a hit and be straight on my skates, and get out of the way of hits,” the Flames winger says with a grin. “By the time midget came, I had my growth spurt.

“I think after my second year bantam, I went up four skate sizes in one summer.”

Payback was on its way.

So was the payoff.

Glencross, arguably the most consistent member of the up-and-down Flames this season, looks in the rearview mirror of his hockey life and admits there were few times he would have imagined things working out the way they have.

But his history in the game and his outlook on life growing up offer a clear vision of how the 28-year-old born in Kindersley, Sask., and raised in Provost became the relentlessly determined NHLer he can proudly claim to be today.

“It’s rewarding to look back,” Glencross says during a relaxed moment in his locker-room stall during a recent road trip. “I’ve never played double-A in my life. I played in my small town. There were 2,000 people. I played at home with my same buddies all the time.

“When I was playing midget hockey and going through high school and playing ‘C’ hockey in my hometown, I thought, ‘Alright, I’m gonna end up working with my dad in the cattle business or something like that.’ I had no intention of a career in hockey.

“I got cut from a couple of junior-A teams in my midget year. After my second year midget, I got a chance to go try out at a junior-A team and made it out of evaluation camp.

“Then it clicked in — maybe I can play a little longer.”

From the Brooks Bandits of the AJHL, Glencross made another leap to the University of Alaska in Anchorage, realizing he could also get an education out of the game he’d always considered a hobby.

That turned into a pro deal with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, and he worked his way through the American Hockey League ranks to the NHL, bouncing between the Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Edmonton Oilers before joining the Flames as a free agent four years ago.

“It was weird. For six years, seven years, I had no chance. All of a sudden, I’ve got a shot at making the show. It was great,” Glencross says of his gradual and unexpected climb.

His seven goals leads the team and ranks him in the league’s top 30 almost a quarter of the way through the season — his first under a four-year deal he signed with the Flames this summer.

Many of his peers who have signed equally assuring contracts have fallen into ‘the comfort zone,’ in which efforts seem to subside and consistency becomes an issue.

Not Glencross. If anything, he’s hungrier.

“If you’re playing a sport, and you’re just in it to get a paycheque, you’re in it for the wrong reason,” he says with a shake of the head and a quiet tone. “You’re playing for your city, your organization and your teammates.”

Wanting to prove deserving of the US$10.2-million over four years, which includes a critical no-movement clause, Glencross hasn’t let anyone down following his career-best 24-goal, 43-point season last year.

“Seems like there are always contracts that are signed, and guys get a little secure and feel safe. I don’t look at it like that,” he shrugs. “I look at it like they signed me for a four year deal for the player I was last year, not the player I’m going to be three years from now.

“I don’t want to be known as one of those players that sign a deal and then their next good year is a contract year. I want to be consistent.

“If I’m consistent and put up the same kind of totals from year to year, then the next contract will be even better.”

You could make a sports-themed, Christmas-season made-for-TV special on Glencross’ roots in the game and rise in his profession.

There’s definitely a message in it for kids who eat, sleep and breathe the game 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 12 months a year.

“Guys that get forced into playing double-A and triple-A and that kind of stuff at a young age, parents are driving them all the time to play regular-season, play spring hockey, play summer hockey, go to all these camps. One of the things that drives me nuts the most is in the summer time when you see 12-year-old kids in the gym working out,” Glencross says with a shake of his head. “Go play baseball. Go golfing. Go play soccer.”

Play for the passion and enjoyment, not the potential of a paycheque that doesn’t come for the majority of them anyway.

“If you’re pushed since you’re 10 or 12 years old because your parents want you to make the NHL ... I never played summer hockey. I went to one hockey school because a guy from our hometown was coaching the Golden Bears in Edmonton. So I went for two years just because he was there. That was a week for two summers in pee-wee and bantam.

“I can’t stand putting my skates on in the summer at all. Lots of guys are skating in June, July. I don’t start skating until the second week of August. You skate so much during the season.

“I grew up with a different kind of mentality.”

It’s his appreciation for how far that mentality has taken him that keeps him going and striving for better even after reaching a level that could satisfy many of those dreaming of a life like his.

“You look at all the kids now in minor hockey. They feel like if they’re not playing double-A or triple-A, what’s the point?” he says. “The worst part is kids get so frustrated that they don’t get to that level, they think they don’t ever have a shot.

“Some people are later developers. There are lots other options besides playing at that level. You can play junior-A and get a college scholarship and get four years of college or university for free.

“There are a lot more players coming out of college right now than ever. You can’t give up if you want to play the game.”

It worked for him."
story written by Calgary Sun writer Steve Macfarlane

Joe Versikaitis - Artist / Photographer

http://www.versikaitis.com/

This article is copyrighted to Versikaitis - The Art of Sport. Any reproduction without written consent is strictly prohibited.

Versikaitis - The Art of Sport art and photography!

2011-10-14T12:24:00.000-06:00

Versikaitis - The Art of Sport is delighted to announce that as of today October 14, 2011 Mcimages will be replaced with www.pbase.com/versikaitis

You will be able to access both my art and photography site from www.versikaitis.com and now of course www.pbase.com/versikaitis

This will promote Versikaitis - The Art of Sport as an Art and Photography business!

I would sincerely like to thank you for your ongoing relationship with Versikaitis - The Art of Sport and the many referrals that you have provided over the years.

It will be a pleasure to serve you from my new site with the same quality and service you have come to expect from Versikaitis - The Art of Sport

It has been an honor and privilege to work with you and I look forward to continuing our relationship for many years to come.

Regards

Joe Versikaitis - Artist / Sport Photographer

NHL, WHL

Art Web Site: http://www.versikaitis.com

Photography at: http://www.pbase.com/versikaitis

Blog Alberta Sport Artist Joe Versikaitis at: http://versikaitis-theartofsport.blogspot.com

PH: 1 403 527 3091

View my painting of Jarome Iginla

View my painting of Henry Burris ....Creativity in progress!

Memories of Tigers gone by...

2011-10-12T22:59:00.000-06:00

Time and time again I've been asked if I had any layouts of Tigers from the years past. Layouts of Chris Osgood or Lanny just to name a few. Again this week I'm faced with the same question. Unfortunate This is one the reason I' m doing this project. For the opportunity to share some of the moments of these future NHLer's with the fans.
Imagine having this kind of photo layout or keepsake of Trevor Linden, Joffrey Lupul, Jay Bouwmeester, Chris Osgood, and of course Lanny. Way too cool!

Every year out from the CHL there is up and coming future NHL stars. With Jay Bouwmeester, Joffrey Lupul, Ryan Hollweg, Matt Keetley and Chris St. Jacques, I had the opportunity to create paintings of these past Tigers.
With the exception of Keetley, there was limited edition prints created which went for sale to the fans and general public in the Medicine Hat area. These are memories that will last a long time.

Matt Keetley - The painting of Keetz - 2009

A piece of Memorabilia give away at Tigers Game

is a project to create an interest amongst fans for the action photographs taken of players during this seasons Tigers games..

By offering this 20 photos per game photography project fans can enjoy memories of Tigers players in the years to come. The low limited edition run of each player will give more value to the photo and the certificate of authenticity seals the project nicely. The other part that I really enjoy about this project is the fact that I get to walk and talk to the fans at the game. It brings a different aspect to the project which is the personal touch. Where I can first of all thank the fans for coming out and they in turn can get to know me and my work a little bit more...

.....Lets Chat!....

If you missed the previous Blogs you can check them out here... Tyler Bunz - BLOG and now of Cole Grbavac - BLOG. The next player is yet to be announced. If you missed out on the limited edition photos of these players, well...you'll have to try your luck for the next player photos at the next Tigers game.

If you get a chance to experience a Tigers game and you see me walking around with these photos layouts, stop me and say hi. Tell me that you have read my blogs and you'll get a limited edition photo layout. It's that simple.

If you like this idea please let the Tigers Facebook know about it or at Tigershockey.com

Thank you and see you at the games! ...Joe...

" For the past few and again this WHL hockey season, I have been fortunate to photo-shoot future NHLer's.

To capture these talented players who put their heart and soul on the ice each and every game is an honor in itself. As I venture through the Arena corridors I am faced with many great future memories of the players from both teams, team personal and the fans in the stands. It is for this reason that I wish to capture these frames in time and a moment in peoples lives at the games.

....To render a pose for ever.... "

Joe Versikaitis - Artist / Photographer

http://www.versikaitis.com/

This article is copyrighted to Versikaitis - The Art of Sport. Any reproduction without written consent is strictly prohibited.

A piece of Memorabilia give away at Tigers Game - Oct 15, 2011

2011-10-10T00:29:00.000-06:00

Between the Medicine Hat Tigers and Calgary Hitmen.

Courtesy of Alberta Sports Artist and Photographer Joe Versikaitis, some lucky fan at the game will receive an 8 x 10 photo layout of Cole Grbavac. This is a 20 Photo Limited Edition print run.

Throughout the hockey season there will be prints of other Tiger players made available. These are numbered photos and will have a certificate available with them.

If you're a lucky recipient of a print don't forget to get it signed by Cole to give the print that much more value.

" For the past few and again this WHL hockey season, I have been fortunate to photo-shoot future NHLer's.

Joe Versikaitis - Artist / Photographer

www.versikaitis.com

This article is copyrighted to Versikaitis - The Art of Sport. Any reproduction without written consent is strictly prohibited.

Numbers on the Helmet...Changing Tradition to the way of European Style Marketing

2011-10-09T13:26:00.003-06:00

Head Equipment Manager Tony Da Costa for the Minnesota Wild tweeted these images of these helmet, adding that it's "no joke" and that players will have numbers on the front and back of their lids beginning on opening night.

Schuyler Beehman of the NHL with the specifics on the numbers:

Player numbers will be added to the front forehead (centered) location of all player helmets at the start of this season. Front numbers are not required to be placed on goaltenders headgear. Numbers on the front and back of helmets will measure no less than 1.25" and no more than 2" in height. The new number placement is designed to aid on-ice officials, broadcasters, et al. by providing an additional point of player identification

As my wife and I sat down to watch the opening game of another NHL season. I couldn't help but noticed the changes to the helmets.
" I said well what's next a chunk of hockey tape across the helmet with the players name? "
The numbers are there to help out the on /off ice officials, broadcasters that are perched up high in the rafters, and who ever else needs help.... REALLY? They're only an 1 inch by 2 inches big for god sakes! How is that going to help?
It seems to me that the NHL is really looking at another way to market this game. They are just easing us into what's to come in the future. This numbering system is opening the way to European style advertising. Where they plaster advertising all over the players sweater, helmet, pants, gloves, and gontch ( underwear ). I'm sure they put advertising on the teams toilet paper too!
I hope it doesn't come to that!. I understand that every league needs different and creative ways to generate revenue for their franchise. But leave the uniform alone. Let the number on the front of the helmet the last thing...That's good enough!....and....Stop there please!
Tradition has it that the equipment manufactures have every right to advertise on their own equipment due to the fact that they make it..The teams put their logo, player name, the number on the back / sides and now on the front of the helmet because they own the player....
Since the mandatory rule to wear a helmet was introduced way back when, the logo and the number on the back have been a part of that tradition.

......A North American Tradition! Comprendes amigos?

So to the NHL marketing department and Mr. Bettman, keep searching for different ways to market this wonderful game. You are doing great! Believe me! Advertise within all communication whether electronic or print media, in arena boards, bleacher seats, glass, ice surface, bathroom stalls, concourse rafters, on the cement floors, children toys, what ever it takes... Hell even have a remote control blimp flying around the inside to the rink ( during intermission of course ) and dropping off advertising material to the waiting fans in their seats. By the way a Medicine Hat Tigers tradition that has a little bit of a hiccup at the moment but hopefully be up and flying again...
But please, please, and PLEASE! Do us all hockey fans a huge favor, by not ruining our North American Tradition and slapping European style advertising all over the players...We wont be able to see the players for the advertising...

" I hope you enjoyed the article and I look forward to reading your comments! "

Joe Versikaitis

This article is copyrighted to Versikaitis - The Art of Sport. Any reproduction without written consent is strictly prohibited.

The Zebras with their Timely Expressions...

2011-10-01T11:22:00.001-06:00

As a sport photographer going to a Tigers hockey game, I'm always looking for that unique action shot. The one shot that will make an impact on people or create some kind of conversation piece. Watching and basically studying these future NHLer's is a feast of its own. The hard work ethic and talent is displayed on the ice for the fans to enjoy, game in and game out.
Sometimes while trying to create a play which would allow a scoring chance. The player gets up ended by the opposition player. All a part of the sport. For some players it's a sport of timely words but from a referee's point of view, it's different. This is what I call ..." Timely Expressions! "

Here is some pic's from recent and games gone by that display a bit of humor and

..Timely Expressions..

The... " You really didn't understand that call ?!? "... expression

The... " Oh come on that wasn't a hard hit ! "... expression

The... " Is this going to take long ? "... expression

The... " Oh NO..Him again ! "... expression

The... " Oh Man! "... expression

The... " Why me Lord?! "... expression

The... " he's still talking ! "... expression

The... " If I turn and pretend to talk to someone else he'll go away...Right ? "... expression

The... " He's gone...Wow that worked! "... expression

My favorite is...

The... " Good lord what do they feed these kids ! "... expression

But I believe sometimes there are one expression that speaks for itself from a players point of view anyway...

The... " This isn't good ! "... expression

" I hope you enjoyed these pic's and I look forward to another season of

timely expressions. "

Joe Versikaitis

This article is copyrighted to Versikaitis - The Art of Sport. Any reproduction without written consent is strictly prohibited.

A piece of Memorabilia give away at Tigers Game - Oct 1, 2011

2011-10-01T01:29:00.004-06:00

Between the Medicine Hat Tigers and Edmonton oil Kings.

Courtesy of Alberta Sports Artist and Photographer Joe Versikaitis, some lucky fan at the game will receive an 8 x 10 photo layout of Tyler Bunz. This is a 20 Photo Limited Edition print run.

Throughout the hockey season there will be prints of other Tiger players made available. These are numbered photos and will have a certificate available with them.

If you're a lucky recipient of a print don't forget to get it signed by Tyler to give the print that much more value.

" For the past few and again this WHL hockey season, I have been fortunate to photo-shoot future NHLer's.

....To render a pose for ever.... "

Joe Versikaitis - Artist / Photographer

www.versikaitis.com
This article is copyrighted to Versikaitis - The Art of Sport. Any reproduction without written consent is strictly prohibited.

Creating a sports template you'll be proud of

2011-09-26T13:29:00.001-06:00

After you have spent several hours taking the team and individual photos. Figure out what else you would like to use in the template layout. By this I mean what scene or photo would you like to see in the background. now that you are at the field with all the team equipment there it's a great time to work your inspiration and get creative.
If it's for soccer then you would use something from the soccer field. Like the NET, grass and ball, soccer shoes by the ball, etc
For baseball you can use the backstop, a wide angle shot of the whole field viewing it from the home plate, baseball and bats on the grass, etc
What ever your sport always remember to include something that is part of that sport as a background.

Processing the photos part, this is the fun stuff. Always make sure you have clear and crisp looking photos....Use the best photos that you have. If you didn't get a really good photo of that particular kid make arrangements for a re-shoot. Do not use photos that are a bit blur especially in the face area. Sometimes you can get away with it only if it's in the clothing but never in the face area. You want people to remember you for good quality shots, Period!
If you have to spend a little more time chasing down this person just to get another shot it will be worth it. You are showing that you are serious about what you do and also that it's ok to make mistakes as long as the mistakes are caught before you go to print. Finding a mistake after you get it back from your place of printing really sucks!

Ideas for Creating a wonderful template;
a) determine the layout of course. either 8 x 10, 11 x 14, 16 x 20 or what ever standard size. Standard size is what ever standard frames are available at your local stationers store.
b) figure out color scheme. Most likely go with the team colors.
Try to envision your final printed layout. Figure out where you would like the photos to be on the layout.
How many photos can I actually place on the layout? 2, 4, or 17 plus a team picture?
Is this going to be an individual layout? Just one kid with a few action shots.
These are some of the question you need to ask before you get started.

The usual layouts for an 8 x 10 is the individual with a incorporated team photo. Once you have created your layout of how you want the page to look like then all you do is change out the individual photo. But don't forget to also change the name, number of the player...lol

This is a typical 8 x10 layout. I would stick the team photo in the bottom and only change the individual photo, name of player and his / her number.

With the 11 x 14 I have a little more room to work with then then 8 x 10. With my templates I usually go for a 4 or 5 photo layout. I have 1 big size photo, then a smaller one then that, and 3 yet smaller size.

This is an 11 x 14 template. In this layout I have a big photo on the right. A smaller photo on the left. And in the middle I have 2 smaller yet photos. The unique part of this layout is I've created a signature layout of my work. I incorporate black and white photography into my layouts. This gives my work a distinguished look. One that separates my works from others..

With the 16 x 20, well the sky is the limit with this layout... These layouts is where I like create a border of individual action poses of the player. If at all possible in 2 different jersey colors. Also I will have a large photo of that player up in one of the corners. I will finish it off by putting the team photo right in the middle of the page.

This is a 16 x 20 template. It's always nice to have 2 different color jerseys. It harmonizes the composition. Remember if your going to be selling your photos with team logos make sure to ask fro permission before you print these out...

Of course the name and number of the player, team, the year and if you want the name of the team members. You can add the team logo up in one of the corners if you have room.

When I do these templates I always want to create something unique. Something that no one has seen or done before. A lot of times I will change the layout a little with each player to give it a unique look for each kid. I will then tell the parents or team manager this. I will mention to them that this gives each one a unique look. You have the same color scheme, fonts, background but changed it up a little. Don't be afraid..Create a one of a kind piece of art. I guess this part comes from being an artist...

I use photoshop as my fav tool to work with. I can create the whole aspect of the template in photoshop.
There is so many filters, brushes, and elements to photoshop that to use them all is basically impossible. So learn what you need to learn to get going and then if you wish, approach other elements later. After a while you'll find out that you only need a few parts of photoshop to create your work anyways.

I one thing I will stress , your work is only as good as your photos. If you have crappy photos then your work will reflect that. No matter how good the layout is, the first thing people look at is whether or not they can see their child clearly..
and oh yeah always create your own work. If you show work that someone else has created there is always going to be parents who have seen that layout. Murphy's Law...If you need to use someone else's work then be prepared to pay $30 to $50 per template layout. It's not the end of the world going this way either. It saves you time and money in the long run.
I hope this helps your creativity process a please let me know if I missed something...

Thank you and take care
Joe Versikaitis
This article is copyrighted to Versikaitis - The Art of Sport. Any reproduction without written consent is strictly prohibited.

Pre-game Crowd Pump Up

2011-04-18T11:32:00.000-06:00

I never get enough of these shots!
The way the spot light hits Bunzys equipment, the net and the ice brings an artistic dimension to my sport photography...
The reflection of Bunzy on the ice surface makes it look like he stand on a frozen pond and not the arena ice at all.
The process in taking a shot like this is a little tricky.
Everything from getting the correct setting, of course lighting, and running from one place of the arena to where I can get this is all about
Timing!.
After taking my shots of the on ice playoff Pre-game crowd pump up ( maybe we should call this P C P U )
I run, well walk fast to the home team end/corner of the arena. It's about 120 feet away.
In that distance I can get my camera settings, grab my chair and then once there I take a few shots of Bunz while the arena announcer yells out " Starting in goal, number 31--- Ty-lerrrrr Bunzzz!"

The other element to this photo is the FRENZIED acknowledgement of the crowd when his name is being announced.
Gives my passion for sports photography one more element...!
Intoxication!

Painting of Jarome Iginla

2011-04-02T23:44:00.010-06:00

I find it fascinating when someone tells me that they seen my work on the net. When asked how they found my work the answer is usually the same. I was looking for a painting on so n so and your name popped up.

The gentlemen was looking for a painting on Jarome Iginla and guess what my previous work on Jarome showed up. Way too cool, thanks to the internet I can get back into my studio. The painting will be auctioned off so we worked out a deal.

This painting is 30 wide x 40 high Acrylics on canvas, close to 8 1/2 square feet surface.

The blank Canvas

About 3 hours of sketching a rough face drawing. Mostly the helmet is what took the work. The print out on the left is part of the layout that I do on my Mac. I first layout the correct size in photoshop then I make print outs of the piece that i created and then I transfer the image onto my canvas. I use a series of measuring devices like my pencil and a ruler to get the most accurate detail as possible.

Up to here it's taken me close to 14 hours

When drawing straight lines on canvas. You have to be a ware of the sag of the material. When you push on the canvas of course it will sag. Now your line has a curve to it.
To prevent this I used a piece of foam core board and place it behind the canvas. I wedge it between the material and the wooden frame to give it strength.
Now I can use a straight edge to get my lines for the stick

I love the idea that I can get my computer screen as close as possible to the canvas. I can zoom in and out for the detail.

The white lines on the photo on the screen

is guide lines to keep me on track with the painting and keeps everything in perspective.

Working side ways gives me yet a different aspect.

I'm just drawing out the string tie on the jersey....

Doing my art and watching my favorite show the " Cake Boss " on TLC

Kinda looks like he's watching me paint...EH! Budda Boom, Budda Bing!

I had the honor to talk to Stephen Holland today. We talked about marketing and everything in between. You can view this great artist work at Stephen Holland

Many a times I had the opportunity to study Jarome Iginla in a stance. Again I was amazed at both the level of focus and intensity he brings to the game. For the number of years that Iggy has been in the NHL, his pose has inspired over 35,000 photographs. To me as an artist these photos are like candy to a little kid in a store. Ample references supplies. Whatever pose I see on the ice I know there will be enough reference photos to help me paint it.

In doing this painting of Jarome Iginla. I had some very interesting experiences.

First, in my art career I’ve done murals that are over 10 foot tall and wide. This is the first time that I've ever done a painting this big on canvas. The best thing about it I'm already looking forward to my next 30 x 40 painting.

Second of all, it was the challenges that came into affect when a person commits to venture like this one. This painting threw a curve ball at me a couple of times. One being I am not used to having a neutral background. I always have characters or the presence of a crowd. The other is the number 12, which gave me some grief for some reason. Looks good now!

The third experience was trying to figure out how to get this painting signed by Jarome.
We haven't figured it out yet!

The fourth, I had the most gratifying opportunity to talk to one of this generation world known sports artist, Stephen Holland. This down to earth gentleman had nothing but great marketing advice and the modesty of telling me that my work was good!...What a guy!

Finally, as an artist not only did I get the opportunity to create this painting but I believe also formed a friendship.

Here is to my newfound friends Hussain and Stephen.

Started February 27th and finished May 21, 2011...A total of 225 hours.
I don't believe the more hours you put into a piece makes the painting.
I believe it takes strategy and a little bit of patience's to create an illusion of colors and shapes....

Joe Versikaitis.

Visit www.versikaitis.com

Thank you for visiting with me. I hope you enjoyed your stay but if you would like

to view more step by step of this painting visit...

A painting of Jarome Iginla by Alberta Sports Artist Joe Versikaitis

" Jarome "

Pre Game Rituals

2011-02-14T23:09:00.026-07:00

I've been creating a series of photos as the players are coming out onto the ice for their pre game warm up. I guess you call these photos a series because they are basically the same idea and style.

What I would like to do is capture the player's Pre Game Ritual.

It all starts as the players stand in the hallway underneath the bleachers near the entrance to the ice surface. They wait for one of there theme song called Hell Yeah by Rev Theory to play. Then in a single file they advance towards the ice surface just in time to hear the arena announcer yell out

" Lead by Tyler Bunz ( or in many cases Deven Dubyk)....

Your Medicine Haaaat T-I-G-E-R-S!"

and the whole Arena explodes with excitement for their home town heros!

The intensity before show time.

Ok maybe not too much Intensity......lol

Can't forget The Fans..

Nemesis!

...and yet there is players like Reid Petryk that come out with a great big Positive Attitude.

...Game in and Game out...

His laughter rubs off on his team mates!

The one thing I love about rituals is that they are all unique. Take Hunter, No matter if it's warm up or game time the mouth guard makes it's way outside the mouth.

With my Pre Game shoot , I'm perched in the opposition bench across the ice from where the Tigers enter the ice surface. While I take these photos and watch the players formative warm up. I get to see the little rituals of each individual player. Everything from juggling of a puck, to the back and forth speed skating in between the two side boards and to the goalies practicing their lateral movements in the crease.

I believe that's what drives me to take more pictures. Like I said earlier, what I would like to do is capture the player's Pre Game Ritual. To Trap, if you pardon the pun, the few moments of total concentration of each player as he follows his warm up routine.

I use art to apprehend an illusion of a players game. Even though I have my style of creating I always strive for the new and out of the ordinary composition.

With photography, I have the ability to freeze a moment in a players life..

As the players single file onto the ice surface I want to capture their Pre Game Ritual. But sometimes an ordinary routine isn't ordinary at all...

Maybe not a Pre Game Ritual....Dylan The skate Guard buddy!

To view more of these photos go to http://www.pbase.com/mcimages

Artwork http://www.versikaitis.com

The Final Whistle...

2011-01-21T11:42:00.009-07:00

The Zebras...the funny and out of the ordinary shots.

To me there is nothing more exciting then going to do a photo shoot at a Medicine Hat Tigers game. As I drive my way to the arena, the ideas of what shots I want to take and who I should be taking shots of all races through my mind. I always have a list of 2 or 3 players that I need to concentrate on and the then there is the action shots for the W.H.L.
I know the players are the main purpose for the shoot. But there is so much more going on in the game besides the players. Like the opportunity to photo shoot the dramatic referees.  At times they are ignored in a game until they make a call then of course every one's eyes are on them.

As an artist and photographer, I watch for the emotion and the facial expression of people. Not only are these next photos popular with my viewers but to me are somewhat funny and out of the ordinary shots.

  At the bottom of this Blog you will find the link to my photography web site to view these and many more shots.

The Intensity.

Three heads is always better then one.

As I took this shot, one of the referees turns to me and actually called me a Paparazzi. Can you believe the nerve of him?

Again terrible call...lol

I've often talked about how the referee seems to get in the way of me and the player that I'm following. Well here is my million dollar shot. In this play Wacey Hamilton #36 scored and of course I missed the shot....

Another one of those wonderful shots...

The Linesmen....Oh yes The Linesmen. This one in particular is kinda funny if you look at the size difference between the player and the linesman. My hat goes off to linesman Cochrane for keeping the peace on the ice.

The call is made but there is still time for arguing....

They do crack a smile every once in a while.

Thank you for viewing my blog. If you want to add your comments please be free to do so.

To view more photos of the referee please go to

Versikaitis- The Art of Sport Photography

It just goes to show that you never know when or where your photos will show up..Who's hot, who's not - Medicine Hat's Tyler Pitlick big talk on Sportnet.ca - Photo Courtesy by Joe Versikaitis

2010-11-22T22:23:00.008-07:00

Medicine Hat Tigers forward Tyler Pitlick could be on the verge of claiming his spot on the American squad in the world junior tournament. Pitlick is lighting the lamp and helping buoy the surge from the Tigers in the home stretch before the holiday break.

By Patrick King at Sportsnet.ca

Tyler Pitlick - Medicine Hat Tigers

I usually go to the Arena with a couple ideas of what stance and which player I would like to photo shoot. Some nights I will follow the goalies. Others nights I will follow the defense and then other nights I follow the forwards. Heck, there is nights when all I shoot is the back side of the referees as they so kindly skate in front of me while I'm taking my million dollar shot......lol.

The W.H.L. likes to see action shots which shows a player from each team in it. Shots like checking into the boards, taking face offs, the action in front of the net and of course goal shots. To me the action shots is what excite me the most. I understand the game well enough to anticipate of what's coming next. So I can start shooting when I see fit. One thing for sure, sometimes I get the shot and sometimes I don't.

I will say, that towards the end of the game after I've taken my share of photos. I always seem to have a little bit more inspiration to follow 1 more players. I will follow this players for 3 to 4 shifts and see what comes out of that.

In this picture of Tyler Pitlick I only followed him for 1 shift...That's it...It just goes to show that you never know when or where your photos will show up. Although, to have my Art work show cased in such a great media would have been an awesome experience. Having my photo displayed to the world by Sportnet.ca is a very great honor.

Thank you to the Medicine Hat Tigers, Patrick King and Sportnet.ca for giving me this opportunity to show case my work.

Along with an awesome write up about Tyler Pitlick, this shot is being feature on Sportnet.ca by Patrick King

To view the article please click here http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/2010/11/22/king_chl_hot_not/

Tigers Vs Pats

2010-11-16T16:48:00.057-07:00

It seems that I'm always looking to take an ideal shot or pose during the hockey game. The time that it takes for me to drive to the Arena to take photos at a game is very important to me. As an artist, I'm visualizing different stances that players do. I am also thinking if I was going to do a painting of a player what pose or stance would inspire me?

These ideal shots is where the player is in a routine stance, certain pose or little habits that they show on the ice. Habits like tucking their jersey into one side of their pants. Others like to chew on their mouth guards while they skate. The goalies, well they are a different bunch all together. I seen guys come up to the net and treat it like a shrine. They stand in front of it and say a prayer, tap the two post and then the cross bar before turning around and backing up into it. They don't light candles but pretty close... I believe that most if not all goalies slap the catching glove and then the butt end of their stick to the goal post in rhythm.

Then there is the player or the goal scorer that seems to communicate with his stick by staring at it, rubbing the taped part and almost talking to it.

That's why I believe that sports photography is not only capturing the players face and emotion but also capturing them in their routine superstitious habit. What ever ritual they do, I want to capture it

Hope you enjoy!

Most of these photos were taken on November 13th, 2010. Between the Medicine Hat Tigers and Regina Pats..

Starting goalies always go to the center ice area and do their stretching out while their counterpart go to the side boards for their stretching exercise. Here #33 Deven Dubyk at center ice going through his routine.

This would be a cool pose to paint....

Capturing the player during a break in the game makes for some interesting poses. During game if I get a chance to talk to players I always tell them that when I'm looking at you with my camera, Smile at me..lol

This would be a cool pose to paint....

Hunter Shinkaruk has a habit of chewing on his mouth guard while he skates.

This would be a very cool pose to paint....

Here Linden Vey turned just in time to see the puck coming out of the net after team mate Emerson Etem scored.

This would be a cool pose to paint....

Just like Frank Lennon, the photographer that took the pictures of Paul Henderson of Team Canada, scoring on Russian goaltender Vladislav Tretiak.

Each one of us photographer dreams of taking that one or two photos that will for ever live on in the life of a sport. Eugene Erik is the main photographer for the Medicine Tigers. One of the question we always seem to ask each other is "Did you get that Goal?" Which of course means did you get the photo of the goal going in the net...

More then enough times I always seem to get a picture of the referee's butt. Just as a goal is about to be scored. This game was between the Tigers and the Kootenay ICE.

This would NOT be a cool pose to paint....

From where I sit during the games, like I've said in previous blogs, is the best seat in the house. I get to see a lot of face offs and the great Jr. hockey thats packed with non stop action.
I always try to capture the moment the puck leaves the hand of the referee. I like to see what the player eyes are doing during that particular second. Like in this shot of Wacey Hamilton #36 and the Rebels #9 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins during a game against the Rebels. Their eyes are focused on the puck in the referees hand...
But with any sport photography,

sometimes you get the shot and sometimes you don't...

This would be a cool pose to paint....

Here Linden Vey takes the puck away from his opponent..

By the way Linden is going to be playing in the 2010 Subway Series against the Russians on November 17 and 18. Read about it here at Hockey Future.com

Good Luck Linden!

A stance of Linden playing against the Russians would a very cool portrait to paint....!

The photo of Paul Henderson was turned into a drawing which was donated to a local charity in Brooks Alberta. Go here to view " The Goal ".

Also You can view Eugene Eriks web site Here

You can can go to my photo web site at http://www.pbase.com/mcimages/tigers_vs_pats to see more of these shots..

Fatty - The painting of my first goalie mask!!

2010-11-14T21:34:00.000-07:00

This goalie mask is a project that has been going on for sometime. The mask belongs to a co-worker of mine by the name of Marlo. Being that Marlo is a huge Philadelphia Flyers FAN the theme of this piece has to do with the Flyers. Marlo and I decided that it would be great to acknowledge Bernie Parent and Pelle Lindbergh.
To start I had to sand, prime, and add a layer of paint to the front and back part of the mask. I then searched for reference photos to use and created a design that looks some what good.
Painting this mask is going to be done with my old air brush. Now I haven't done air brush work for over 12 years so I'll be a little rusty.

The back of the mask once the priming and first coat of paint was put on it.

Here I have done painting on the back part of the mask. I used the air brush with the help of my smaller painting brushes. Those little air holes, I believe I painted those buggers about 5 times before I was satisfied with what I had. The piercing eyes looking at you. I wanted to make them seem like they are stuck back in a shadow....

Here I have put on the straps that to show what it's going to look like from the back of the mask...

Almost like some kind of Warrior!!!!

" FATTY " is a nick name that Marlo goes by in his hockey career...

Medicine Hat Tigers vs Saskatoon Blades.Photos for this week...Nov 7th,2010

2010-11-07T20:00:00.009-07:00

This blog of photos was taken at the Medicine Tigers game on November 6th, 2010. I get the privilege, along with another gentleman by the name of Eugene Erik to take photos for the Tigers. I feel like I have the best seat in the house....Hope you enjoy these pics!

Nov 6th, 2010. Medicine Hat Tigers vs Saskatoon Blades

#9 Hunter Shinkaruk has himself a goal after receiving a great pass from fellow teammate #15 Linden Vey.

#34 Kale Kessy comes in spraying snow behind the net while goaltender Adam Morrison tries to clear the puck.

This shot of Emerson Etem is one that I always wanted to do with a player. That is having the player looking to the side while having their back to the camera.

This shot of Kale Kessy I caught my luck. I just happen to look over in front of the net the puck was shot by Defensive Sebastian Owuya. Kale just held his stick between his leg and tried to redirect the puck to the net. These kind of photos are the ones that I always want to get but have a hard time capturing. I either shake the camera a little so that the picture comes out blurred or like my mother used to take pictures and only get part of the body and miss the rest of the shot!

You can can go to my photo web site at http://www.pbase.com/mcimages/tigers_vs_saskatoon to see more of these shots..

Miguel Jose

2010-10-30T01:10:00.002-06:00

This piece is a portrait of my son Miguel.

16 x 20 pastel sketch of Miguel

A while ago I had him pose for me in front of our den window so that I could get some cool light effects from the window. It started out as a pastel sketch but like always it turns out to be a little bit more.

Is your ability to create Art a gift? Or do you have to work at it to make it a talent??

2010-10-19T22:50:00.000-06:00

Throughout the years I have gotten myself into a lot of little arguments over this issue. When someone says they like my artwork. Of course I say " Thank you!" But then, when they say you have such a wonderful gift. I tend to be a little apprehensive because I feel a gift is something that is giving to you. A gift of God would be life itself. That's a gift. The gift of sight, hearing , feelings, etc... To me, talent is something that I have to work hard at to perfect. To make it look easy in someone else eyes. Im sorry but I have to work hard to create my artwork and yes some aspect of my art comes easy. But it's all about the dedication it took to create that aspect easy.

What is a " BLOG"

2010-10-13T23:18:00.002-06:00

My daughter asked me what is a " Blog?"
This question came to be when I told her and her boyfriend that I created a blog page and that I was going to write in it. You see I started my own blog, Blog with Alberta Sport Artist Joe Versikaitis about two weeks ago. Here I will talk about Sport art, marketing, photography and yes a little bit of hockey.Yeah I know the name is a little long but what ever. I like it.
I thought a Blog would be kinda fun to create. It was so much fun that after I created my first blog page I created another blog page. This one I called Blog with my fellow Artist. In this blog page I want to encourage local artist to send me their works so that I can post it on my blog. My madness behind this concept is that if I show case other artist work then hopefully they will return the favor by show casing my work on their blog. I'm just trying to create a artsy fartsy community. We'll see how it goes.
After all the reading and scrutinising of other blogs. I have come to the conclusion that this blogging business is really a place to write my diary about my life. I talk about my art work and how that particular piece was created. I also bring in guest writers with marketing ideas and I try to promote a marketing guru by the name of Alyson Stanfield. Alyson has a great book called " I'd rather be in the studio ". For any of you artist out there that are interested in stepping into a career path as an artist then this book is a must.
My stories about meeting hockey super stars like Teemu Selanne, Trevor Kidd and soon to come Theo Fleury and Sandy McCarthy is really the part of my art that keeps me going. If it wasn't for my dream to be an N.H.L. artist the reason for marketing and blogging would be none existence.
So in saying all this. It seems that when people ask what is a blog. My response has to be this....
It's about writing what ever you want to write about, discussing a favorite topic with a person that you've never met before or in my case show casing mine other artist works. In all fairness Blogging to me is creating a community on a single web page where artist can come to visit...Simple!
Joe Versikaitis - Artist

The Guardian Project

2010-10-13T00:10:00.001-06:00

Stan Lee - SLG Entertainment. Creators of Spider-man, The X Men, The Fantastic Four just to name a few. Along with the National Hockey League are joining forces to create The Guardian Project. In short, GME or the Guardian Media Entertainment group is going to vow hockey and comic book fans with Hockey Superheroes comic book, strips and movies.

" It's all about Marketing. The N.H.L. and Stan Lee are going to make a ton of money with this. The popularity of the game is going to grow beyond our imaginations. The kids and adult alike, that will read these comics will idolize their heroes on and off the ice.
Guarantee that when Halloween comes around there is going to be a lot more N.H.L. Superheroes coming to our doors for treats.
The 'Guardians' is going to be a marketing success which is going to help grow HOCKEY not only in the sunbelt regions but also world wide." Joe Versikaitis - Artist

Visit http://www.guardianproject30.com/ to watch a Trailer and http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=540091#&navid=nhl-search for more info.

Mr. Flash - This my story on how I came to know Teemu Selanne

2010-10-12T00:29:00.008-06:00

Back in 1997 just after the Mighty Ducks finished playing the Flames. I was standing in front of the visiting team dressing at the Calgary Olympic Saddledome. The concourse area in front of the players dressing rooms is an area about 15 feet wide but it circles the whole Saddledome. Basically this is the area where you see a lot of the TV interviews of the players as they walk off the ice surface.
I was introduced to Pierre Pagé by an acquaintance of mine Don Wilson. Don was a insurance broker in Brooks, Alberta and a huge hockey fan with Flames season tickets. Don and Pierre have been friends for many years prier to this night. Pierre was head coach of the then Anaheim Mighty Ducks.
We had received the permission to go down and talk to Pierre Pagé. With Dons introduction, the meeting between Pierre and myself turned to why I was there. My answer was, I wanted to do artwork of one particular player on the Ducks team. That player was Teemu Selanne.
After the small chat we headed down this long hallway that lead to the visiting team dressing room. I had with me my portfolio, which was at the time a photo album full of my artwork. Then I had another album with reference photos that I purchased from Bruce Bennett Studios. I believe there was 10 and each one was a different pose of Teemu. In my pocket I had my home made business cards. I was ready, I must of looked like a retard but I was ready! And that’s how I started my art career. I just went and tried my hardest to get introduced to the right people who in turn would hopefully introduce me to the players themselves. If that didn’t work I would wait for the Samboni driver to open the over head door to the building and run in when he had his back to me....Just kidding!
We got to the door of the dressing room and Pierre Pagé turned to us to say “Teemu just finished having a shower so I’m not sure what dressed condition he will be in. You might have to just look the other way for a couple of minutes Ok?”
As we walked into the dressing room Pierre Pagé turned again and said “ Oh he is still talking to the press. You’ll have to wait your turn. You can have a seat right over there.” Pierre Pagé pointed to the locker stall that had the only clothes left in the dressing room. Those clothes belonged to Teemu.
As Don and I walked over to the stall I was mesmerized by what I was seeing. It was like I was watching a scene from a movie..
There in the middle of the dressing room was Teemu perched upon a bench so that he could over look all the cameras and reporters that were waiting to ask him questions about the great game that he just finish show casing. Don and I waited for what seem like 5 minutes but I’m sure it was more like an hour.
Finally the reporters and cameras crews started to leave one by one. Then there was the last scene of Teemu standing upon the bench, towel wrapped around him and still smiling for the cameras. It was a pretty cool scene to view.
You know it’s funny after all these years that scene is quite vivid in my mind. From the lights going off and Teemu shaking hands with the reporter and camera man. To him stepping down and walking towards the stall and sit down right beside me. That I will never forget.
Pierre Pagé was there beside Don and myself. I was sitting down taking this all in. As Teemu came near I stood up and Pierre Pagé introduced me to Teemu.
With a strong accent he said “ Hello Joe. Good to meet you! “ Very nice to meet you too Teemu ! “ Was all I could mustard...
He excused himself and got dressed then he asked what was on my mind. I started to tell him about my artwork and how he needed to have my painting hanging up in his house. The business part took over. As I showed him my portfolio and all the photos of him. He’s interest grew and he seem to really like the painting I did of Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri and Esa Tikkanen of the Edmonton Oilers. He then asked me something that I will never forget. This is something that many artist should take to heart. He asked me “ Why do I paint hockey players? “ I looked at Don, Pierre, and back at Teemu and all I could say was this.
“ I love painting portraits and I love watching hockey so the two go hand in hand. But most important is the thrill to meet a player like yourself, do the artwork, and then watch the smile come onto your face when you see the final art piece of yourself. “
Teemu looked at me and smiled to which he said “ Ok, when can I see this piece?” Pointing to the art piece of Wayne Gretzky...
The conversation turned to when the Ducks would be in Calgary again. At that the time the Oliympic’s were around the corner and Teemu would be practicing with Finland and it was just too long a time to wait. Pierre said that they would be in Edmonton in two weeks. I asked Teemu how I can get a hold of him up in Edmonton and he gave me his cell number. He gave me his freaken cell number...wow!
I then asked at what hotel they would be staying at in Edmonton and how do I page you at the front desk. Again without hesitation I got an answer from Teemu. “ Call me Mr. Flash! The front desk will know who I am!” The meeting was scheduled. I didn’t get a chance to see him in Edmonton but we did communicate by phone.
I created the painting and met Temmu down in Anaheim, Ca to deliver it to him. He never did get to see the original of Gretzky, Kurri, and Tikkanen, perhaps some day!

Driving on the QE-2 ( back then was just Highway #2 later changed to the Queen Elizabeth #2) to Edmonton in the middle of winter is not an easy task. But hey I was on a mission. To meet Mr. Flash himself the "The Finnish Flash". Very cool... I was pumped...

Hotel Macdonald was hotel where our meeting was to take place. Once I arrived there and found a parking spot I went inside.. I was just in awe at the beautiful site of this magnificent hotel. I went straight to the front desk and ask if they could page Mr.Flash...The girl looked at me asked my name and said yes please wait a minute I will get a hold of Mr.Flash for you. I went and sat down in one of the many leather sofas by the grand fire place. I waited ....and waited and then I saw Pierre Pagé walking towards me from a distance. Pierre shouts out " Joey! How was your trip?" of course I said great! Then Pierre proceed "Teemu isn't here we had to send him home because of an injury!"....".Oh man!" Was all that came out of my mouth..." He then asked me how long a drive was it . I told him that the 5 hours of driving went by pretty fast because of what I was going to be doing. But the 5 hours of driving back are going to feel like 10 hours. Pierre said just wait a little bit I'll have a quick meeting with the other players and tell them about your work....

Let me continue this in a little while.. Thank you

Joe Versikaitis

“ Mr. Flash ” - Teemu Selanne - 22” x 30” - Acrylics on Canvas - 1998
By Joe Versikaitis - www.versikaitis.com

Ten Reasons for the Emerging Artist to Join a Local Art Group by Moshe Mikanovsky

2010-10-07T12:52:00.002-06:00

This article is by Moshe Mikanovsky, Regular contributing writer for FineArtViews. You should submit an article and share your views as a guest author by clicking here.
In the past year, I have joined two local artists groups. Both are located in the city where I live, Toronto, and both have small membership fee and no jury process to join in. The first (the Israeli Artists Group of Toronto) is specific to my background and culture and the second (the Artists’ Network, Riverdale, Toronto) is more geared towards helping member artists in the marketing of their art.
I have seen many benefits for myself, and for the other members of these groups, in joining and becoming members. Many of the advantages require the member’s participation and being a social-animal. In my case – schmoozing, not being shy about introducing myself, telling the other members what I do, take an interest in what they do, try to help, and more. To me it really works and it will continue working and growing.
So, I wanted to summarize and share with you 10 of the reasons why you should join a local art group. Here I am trying to talk to artists like me – either emerging, or “straggling”. Although I hate the word “straggling”, I am sure you all know what I mean. We try hard, we try our best, but we still need that day job to keep going. So, with these benefits, and many other things we do, one day we will make it and not be straggling any longer!
OK, here we go, the 10 reasons to join a local art group for the emerging and straggling artist:
1.       Socialize – get out of your lonely studio. I have heard it a lot from other members how being an artist can be a lonely thing, being “stuck” in the studio for many hours, not working in an office environment with other people and water-fountain small talk opportunities. The local groups will usually have socializing meetings where you can meet other artists and just get out there.
2.       Learn – see what other people are doing and learn from them. The variety of artists and experiences can really make for an excellent place to learn from other artists – talk with them about the way they tackle the business side of being an artist, find who is giving workshops and attend them, or in many cases, come to a group meeting where one of the artists is presenting their art and techniques.
3.       Share your knowledge – teach other people from your knowledge. If you can learn from others, than there must be something you can teach from your experience. What about art making techniques, marketing ideas, utilizing technology or art shows experience?
4.       Network – meet people who know other people, in order to enlarge your network. Networking cannot be underestimated. Getting to the right people, such as gallery owners, curators, collectors or licensors, can be done through a network of friends with similar goals. And although it might seem that the other artists are your competition, the truth is that many are more than willing to share and connect you to the right people.
5.       Opportunities – One of the end results of growing networking is the opportunities that emerge from many unexpected places. There are many opportunities to be taken, you just have to identify them and make yourself ready for them to call you. You can find new opportunities for business, commissions, art shows, exposure and much more.
6.       Participate in art shows – many of the local art groups organize group shows and, in some cases, they are not juried. This is an excellent way to start exposing yourself and your art and to start building your resume. The juried art shows are even more important, as their quality is often much higher. Getting to know where the art shows are, what their requirements are and who might participate in them are all integral parts of the local group activities.
7.       Volunteer – give your time and efforts for the benefit of you and others. You will gain respect of your fellow artists and they will be willing to help you in return.
8.       Practice – with the many activities that happen throughout the year at the group and volunteering opportunities, you will have the valuable opportunity to practice. Participate in arranging shows, see what happens behind the scenes and learn what is involved. This will give you a great practice that you will need for your own business development.
9.       Expose yourself – let people know you. There is no better way to sell your art than to be known. And you have to start somewhere. Your local art group can be one such place, where you expose who you are, what drives you, make friends and become known in the local area and community. That will also give you the sand-box playground to practice exposing yourself to the rest of the world, like your clients.
10.   Write about it – write your experiences in your blog. It will be a great topic to write about and local searches will rate high in SEO (Search Engine Optimization). When you meet other artists, write about them, discuss the group’s events, art shows and other promotions - you will get better local results for searches. The search engines do look for localization relevancy and being part of and writing about a local group is a wonderful way to do just that.
I hope this list helps you make a decision and join a local art group. You might already belong to a group, or more than one, and nodded in agreement while reading this list. Or you might not have any particular group in your area that fit-the-bill, so maybe start one…
Do you have more reasons that I didn’t mention to join a local art group? Do you have a story to share with us on how joining a local art group helped your career?
Cheers
Moshe

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A story of The Fire Bowl Sunday.... Brooks, Alberta - City and Fire Hall 1970

2010-10-05T22:43:00.010-06:00

Brooks, Alberta City and Fire Hall 1970 something

It was quite an honour to be commissioned for this drawing of the old Brooks City and Fire Hall.

As I stared at the reference photograph I was brought back to my childhood days. The summer days of 1973, when every Sunday afternoon was spent playing a game of football down at the Fire Hall Field. By the way the title -( 1970 something ) comes about that no one knows when the photograph of the old hall was taken...

A Story of The Fire Bowl Sunday..

If you look at the drawing, just to the left of the bus that's parked beside the Hall, was the field that we played in. Of course you can't see the field and It wasn't a regular football field, but never the less, it was the Fire Hall Field.

Along the outside edges of the field were trees that were spaced apart 20 feet or so. All in a row too and they copied each other on the opposite side of the field. We used these tree's as our field lines. The field was only 150 feet long by 60 or 70 feet...or so. Well, it was big enough for us to play our game on, that's all that mattered at the time.

I can remember all the fun and excitement that we always seem to have. The anticipation that started during the week with the winners hoisting the trophy, the Fire Bowl Sunday trophy!...In short the Fire Bowl...Yes the trophy!?...It was this hub cap that one of us found along the curb while we were walking towards the fire hall one day....Simple, but Great!

Well, as the saying goes, all good things come to an end. One Fire Bowl Sunday, when our quarterback through a touch down pass that didn't quite make it to our receiver...!

You see he over through the ball and it crashed into the middle set of windows. Breaking the bottom right pane..... Lets just say we didn't stick around to get our ball back....!

So your probably wondering what playing football on Sundays afternoon in the middle of 1973 summer has anything to do with this drawing....Well, if you look at the drawing and focus your site to the two garbage cans in the doorway. You will see our Fire Bowl Sunday football on the floor...waiting for the game to begin....By Joe Versikaitis

Detail of the Fire Engines
Visit Joe Versikaitis at Versikaitis - The art of Sport

History of the
Brooks Fire Department

The following history of the Brooks Fire Department was prepared by Maurice Landry after reviewing clippings from the Brooks Bulletin obtained by Joe Yarrow.
Special Thanks to Susan (Smallbones) Zibin

Fire Chiefs

J.A. Bosley 1913-1914
Unknown 1914-1936
William Swanson 1936-1937
Graham Anderson 1937-1939
Fred Hansen 1939-1949
Oliver Ingram 1949-1955
George Anderson 1955 - 1964
Edwin Smallbones 1964 - 1973
Gordon Wilson 1973-1991
Denis Cuninghame 1991-2002
Kevin Swanson 2003-present

Interesting Facts
1911 – A large fire destroys a whole downtown block. Constable Heskath expressed the need to organize a fire brigade and purchase a reliable fire pump as the existing one is in a state of disrepair.

1913 – November – A Fire Brigade was organized with J.A. Bosley as the Fire Chief.

1914 – January – The Fire Brigade moved to request Town Council to purchase a gasoline engine and force pump to be mounted on a truck which will be used in addition to the present chemical pump.

1915 – January – Fire destroys the Town Office, Fire Hall & Jail.

1920 – May – Council decides to spend $10,000 for a new fire hall and Town Office. The old chemical engine was reported in fair shape.

1937 – December – Fire Chief Graham Anderson recommends that Council purchase a new fire truck. The 1928 Model A chemical truck has been used in Ontario and the price of $750 plus freight is reasonable.

1938 – February – Fire Chief Graham Anderson’s year end report indicated the department attended 4 alarms and had 44 members. He recommended that the department should be appropriated $1 per capita instead of the present $0.03. He also stressed the need for a new fire truck.

1941 – Electric fire siren was installed downtown to alert fireman of an emergency call.

1945 – February – Town purchased the 1941 Ford for the Brooks Fire Brigade at a cost of $3,400.00. This was a much needed replacement for the existing 1928 chemical truck.

1949 – A crew from Brooks participated in a hose laying competition. They laid 200 feet of hose and had water in 34 seconds. The Provincial record was 27.4 seconds.

1952 – December – The new Town Office and Fire Hall are located on First Avenue at First Street West.

1955 – Firemen received $5 per month, which was called “soap money”. Most times the firemen, after receiving their $5, went to the local beer parlor for the evening.

1958 – February – Fire Chief George Anderson reports that the fire department had 10 calls in 1957.

1961 – Brooks Rural Fire Association is formed.

1963 – Rural Fire Department purchases a 1963 Dodge fire truck. It has a 500 gallon water tank and a 500 gpm front mount pump. The yearend report indicates there were 19 members in the Department and they attended 13 fire calls in Town.

1964 – Edwin Smallbones is appointed Brooks and Distrct Fire Chief.

1966 – Firemen to receive $4 for the first hour of a call and then $3 per hour thereafter. The Fire Chief would get $6 for the first hour and then $4 per hour thereafter.

1967 - George Anderson is new Fire Chief...In appreciation for services as Fire Chief from 1964 - 1967, Edwin Smallbones receives recognition Plaque from Town of Brooks.

1970 – The yearend report indicates there were 19 members and they attended 22 fire calls. Edwin Smallbones is appointed Fire Chief for another term.

1973 – Town appoints Gordon Wilson as the first full-time fire chief. The Fire Department ordered a new Ford fire truck at a cost of $29,700. The truck was not delivered until 1975. It was a 1974 Ford which carried 500 gallons of water and had a 840 gpm pump. The Town of Brooks presents former Fire Chief Edwin Smallbones a recognition Plaque for his services form 1970 - 1973.

1974 - Former Fire Chief Ed Smallbones from Brooks Fire Brigade, receives recognition Plaque from Town of Brooks for volunteering his Service from 1961 - 1974 to the Brooks Fire Department. From October 1967 - October 1970, even though Ed Smallbones could not hold the position of Fire Chief while a councillor for the Town of Brooks. He did continue as a volunteer fireman for those years.

1975 – The fire department moves to a new building on First Avenue at Centre Street. The equipment to be stored in the new building was the ’41 Ford, ’63 Dodge (Rural), ’74 Ford and an equipment van. Fireman remuneration increased from $4/hr to $8/hr.

1977 – Purchased a 1952 85 foot Ladder truck. The truck was used by the Edmonton Fire Department. It was built by the Saskatoon Fire Engine Co. and had a King Seagrave Chassis with GMC power train.

1978 – The fire department purchased a foam maker for fire fighting. Council was also requested to purchase pagers for each fireman.

1979 – Fire department equipment consisted of 2 Town pumper trucks, one Rural pumper truck, an 85 ft ladder truck, equipment van and a rescue vehicle. The department had 3 two-way radios.

1980 – The department obtained additional rescue equipment which included air bags, an electric winch and an oxygen/acetylene cutting torch. Also the hose drying tower was added to the firehall. The fire department purchased a new 1-ton rescue truck. They responded to 73 fire calls in Town.

1981 – The Rural Fire Department receives a new fire truck. It was a 1981 Ford Louisville with 1000 gallon tank and a 625 gpm front mount pump. This replaced the 1963 Dodge which was purchased by the Town. Fire Chief G. Wilson reports that it is difficult to recruit firemen who are available during the day.

1982 – Volunteer fireman, George Anderson, is voted the Chamber of Commerce citizen of the year, for his many years (34 years) of service to the community.

1984 – The fire department purchased a rescue tool called the Jaws of Life. Also acquired 700 feet of 4” high volume fire hose.

1988 – A new Ford pumper truck was purchased at a cost of $150,000. This truck would replace the 1941 Ford which will be moved to the museum. It had a 1050 gpm pump and carried 1000 gallons of water.

1989 – The fire siren was taken out of service. All firemen were now equipped with pagers.

1991 – Gordon Wilson retires and Denis Cuninghame is appointed Fire Chief. The department answered 101 fire calls during year – 71 were in Town and 30 were in the rural area. Volunteer firemen receive $10.50 per hour while fighting fires.

1993 – The Rural Fire Department purchases a Volvo fire truck at a cost of $170,000 to replace the 1981 Ford. It carried 1000 gallons of water and had a 1050 gpm pump. An addition to the firehall for a workshop and storage area was completed.

1995 – The department purchased a new Volvo truck to be used as a rescue truck and a mobile command centre at a cost of $144,000. They answered 109 fire calls during the year – 69 were in Town and 40 were in the rural area.

1996 – A new law was passed to allow volunteer firemen to use flashing green lights to advise motorists they were responding to a fire call.

1997 – Fire Chief Denis Cuninghame suggests to Council that a new fire hall is required as the department is outgrowing the present building. Kevin Swanson was hired as the second full-time firemen.

1998 – The department purchases water rescue equipment including a 14 foot Zodiak inflatable boat. In August, all emergency calls are switched to a 911 service.

1999 – A new fire truck was acquired. It had a 1250 gpm pump and replaces the 1974 Ford Pumper.

2000 – The department answered 133 fire calls during the year – 90 were in Town and 43 were in the rural areas.

2001 – The department responded to 191 calls – 145 were in the Town and 46 were in the rural areas. The staff of 28 firefighters received 1,199 hours of training. Department hosted Southern Prairie Fire Fighter Combat Challenge.

2002 – The department responded to 173 emergency calls. Two volunteer firefighters, Terry Welsh and Shane Cote, were presented with Life Saving Awards. Volunteers participated in the Fire Fighter Combat Challenge in Swift Current. Brooks hosted the Battle of the Badges Charity Hockey Game. Denis Cuninghame resigns as Fire Chief.

2003 – A total of 218 emergency calls were answered this year. Kevin Swanson is new Fire Chief and Keith Martin is hired as Assistant Chief. Ten members, Joe Yarrow, Rick Evans, Kevin Swanson, Maurice Landry, Ron Hagg, Denis Cuninghame, Barry Yokoyama, Liam Latta, Shawn Bryant and Ron Redelback were presented with Alberta Emergency Services Medal for 12 years of service. Two members, Denis Cuninghame and Liam Latta, were presented with the federal Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal for 20 years of service.

2004 – 310 emergency calls were responded to this year. Land purchased for a new fire hall.

2005 –A total of 341 emergency calls were answered. Three members, Jim Bonora, Terry Welsh & Keith Martin, were presented with the Alberta Emergency Services Medal for 12 years of service. Two members, Keith Martin & Joe Yarrow, were nominated for federal Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal for 20 & 40 years of service.

2006 - A total of 355 emergency calls were answered. Received delivery of the new Rapid Response Vehicle. In May, the new Regional Fire Training Facility, located at 280 Canal Street, was opened.

2007 - 394 emergency calls were answered during the year. A 2007 109 ft Rosenbauer Aerial/Pumper was purchased. Construction of New Fire Hall (Protective Services Facility) was approved by City Council. Ground Breaking Ceremony occurred May 12, 2007.

2008 – In January the Brooks Rural Fire Protection Association disbands and their two trucks were signed over to the Brooks Fire Department through an agreement with the County of Newell. The new fire hall is completed with Grand Opening Ceremonies held on September 6. Two members, Mike Stewart and Darcy Seitz, were presented with Alberta Emergency Services Medal of 12 years of service.

I would like to thank the Brooks Bulletin for providing this wonderful photograph

and the memories that came with it..

I would also like to thank Frameways Gallery & Frame Shop ( Brooks, Alberta )

for searching of the reference photo for this project....

The Kidd and Me - The Story on how I met Trevor Kidd goaltender for the Calgary Flames - 1995

2010-10-01T00:59:00.001-06:00

The Kidd and Me
by Joe Versikaitis

In this Blog I will share as a youngster, some of my first experiences with the game of Hockey. Then you'll be able to read the exciting moments in getting to meet Trevor and showing him the painting KIDDER #37.

Imagine an eight year old boy who has lived all his young life in a country where there is no winter, no winter sports and the number one sport is soccer. Palm trees and bamboo shoots grew wild along the country sides. Things like Living near a jungle was a play ground and a place where you can go and catch an exotic animal to bring home and freak his mom out. The only thing he knew about snow and bitter cold temperatures is from photos in books or stories that were told from other family members who had the opportunity to travel abroad to a country like Canada. For the longest time the talk was all about moving to Canada and when they finally moved to Canada the experience was one of a culture shock to say the least.

This is how I experienced Hockey and these individuals called " Guardians of the nets " for the first time.
Goalies as I see them, are the most lonesome, uncanny and superstitious individuals I have ever known. They don't like to communicate with anyone before a game. They have rituals that start every morning when they wake up and follow them throughout the day until bed time. I'm sure the rituals occur during their sleep as well. Nuts you say!! Well who in the right mind would strap on a pair of over sized pillows to their legs, put on a 1/4 inch of padding all over their bodies, have a modified baseball glove in one hand and on the other hand have a five finger leather glove with a Sears catalogue taped to it? Then to top it all of stand there in front of a mesh structure, wait for some guy to skate up to them and just assault them with a rubber projectile.
The stress level that goalies endure during a game is anything but normal for any human being. They seem to go into a lunatic fringe. For example, starting at their net before each face-off they skate in an figure eight. Then stopping in front of the net, with their backs turned towards the net and whacking the post with the butt end of their sticks. They finish off by reciting a chant for good luck.......Whacked all right!!
To this day goalies have fascinated me. Even with all their rituals and wackiness the goalie is the glue to a team. If your team isn't scoring the goalie can still keep you in the game.

Living in a small town in southern Alberta, I followed the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers of the N.H.L. My favourite team I must say was and still is the Calgary Flames. One of the players I associated with was Trevor Kidd. Remembering his remarkable Junior years with the Brandon Wheat Kings and Spokane Chiefs to winning the World Junior Championship in1990 and 1991. The 1992 Winter Olympics Games in Albertville, France. Then watching him play with the Calgary Flames from 1993 through 1998 until traded to the Carolina Hurricanes.

I can still remember the first time that Trevor and I met. It was November 21, 1995. The night before the weather play havoc on the Highway #1 between Brooks and Calgary. I put my painting of Trevor in the truck and headed to Calgary. The usual trip was one and half hours but on this day it was to take me four and half. I finally reached my destination with not much time to spare.

You see Trevor was at a autograph signing cession in a new Sport Mart store. When I got inside there was Trevor and Jamie McCloughon, place kicker for the Calgary Stampeders, sitting near the front. I said great this isn't going to take long. Until I seen the line up. This line up started at the front of the store and twisted around the isles and towards the back then coming back towards the front again in front of the two players. I guess I was lucky Trevor's signing cession was from 12:00 p.m. to 3:pm. By the time I got to meet Trevor it was 2:50.

Now your probably thinking what's the big deal, right? Well by the time I got to speak to Trevor there was a crowd of people all around me asking me question about this painting and getting their pictures taken with me and the painting. I even had a little boy ask me for my autograph. As I approached the front of the table where Trevor and Jamie were sitting they both just looked at me wondering what the hell was going on. Then there was a tug at my pant leg as looked down to see yet another little boy. He asked if he could have his dad take a picture of Trevor ,the painting and me.....

" Have you ever been in a strange place where nobody knows you and everybody is looking right at you?..WOW!"

I finally had my chance to talk to Trevor and mentioned to him my intentions to create limited edition prints. Gauging from the response of the crowd at the store I told him that it might be a good thing. I gave him my business card and told him " I think we'll be in touch one of these days". Trevor looked at me shook my hand and said " We sure will! " As I was leaving one of parents in line asked me if I was going to make prints and where they could get one. All I could say was soon as I handed them one of my business cards and told them to get in touch with me in a week.

A few days later I received a message from Trevor on my answering machine. He asked me if we can get together on a certain date down at the Olympic Saddledome as it was name back in 1995, now the Pengrowth Saddledome.
He wanted to meet after they had their pre-game practice in the morning. I was so excited that I took the cassette tape out of the answering machine and kept it in a safe place. On that particular day my very close friend Mike Laux and myself arrived at the Saddledome and entered where Trevor told me to enter, the players entrance. We were met by a security personal who kindly let us in. He in turn gave us directions which way to turn and follow the corridor under the bleachers that would lead to the hallways that go to the dressing room and to the ice surface. ( Those were his exact words, I wrote them down..)

By this time my heart was beaten faster then a speeding chicken. I was so overwhelm that I didn't want to miss a moment. I remember telling Mike " I hoped that we remember this for the rest of our lives. "

We were met by a person called Huey. I didn't get his last name. Huey was the teams equipment and caretaker person. I remember him by the kindness that he showed us and by giving us a taste of his wonderful coffee, which by the way was a great idea at the time. Huey asked us to go with him and watch the practice. We followed him through the hallway under the bleachers that lead to the ice surface and the Calgary Flames bench. Once at the bench we had a great view of the Saddledome and all it's glory. All this time I was hanging on to my portfolio that carried the painting of Trevor Kidd which I called " Kidder # 37" and shaking with anticipation of what was going to take place. The players were coming off the ice after their practice, I don't remember all the players but I do remember getting the hell out of the way cause some of these guys were huge. Of course there was the players like Gary Roberts, Cale Hulse, Robert Reichel, Rick Tabaracci, Ed Ward, and a short guy by the name of Theo Fleury, just to name a few. Then Kidder approached the bench and took his mask and catching glove off skated off the ice. Approached Mike and I and shook our hands . Even though it was sweaty and smelly, it was one of those handshakes that I couldn't see myself forgetting.

After our greeting, Kidder asked if we could wait outside the locker until the team had a meeting and then he would come out and get us. Considerable time had past before he emerged from the locker room and invited us in. Once in the room it was a typical dressing room atmosphere. The sweaty smell, the moisture in the air, the equipment being hang up by Huey and another gentleman.

Kidder brought Mike and myself over to his changing area. I was just amazed. I was standing in the Calgary Flames dressing room. Very cool....Some of the players were still around, although I'd hope that the whole team was there but still there was an audience to look at my work of Kidder #37. First Gary Roberts came over to see it and Kidder introduced us . At that time Gary was injured with a neck injury.

Then something happened that I will never ever forget for the rest of my life...From my right side of the dressing room, well actually in the shower room door way ready to go have a shower there stood Theo Fleury butt naked saying in his deep voice " That doesn't look like you Kidder ". Then laughing at his own remark. I'll tell you what, as quickly as we turned our heads in the direction of the voice the quicker we turned back. I will never forget that moment...That was one of those moments that Mike and I laughed about all the way home...

A few other players came over to see the artwork. Kidder and I had small talk about the printing of " Kidder #37 ". I finally got to ask him if I could see his mask, Trevor hesitation was noticeable do to the fact that most goalies are so superstitious of someone else touching their equipment or shaking hands with someone just before game time. In some cases it meant the end of that piece and off to buy a new one.

To my delight he let me hold his mask. I was speechless and mesmerized by the detail of the painting of a dragon on it. I asked Kidder if my friend Mike could take a picture of me holding his mask and Kidder beside me. Of course he agreed..

But here is the thing, as Kidder and myself were standing side by side and got our mugs shots together, after the flash went off I felt something move under my foot. As I looked down to see what was moving I noticed Kidder move his foot away. I realize then that I had stepped on his pinky toe......not funny at all. Remember I mentioned how superstitious goalies are and how they don't like it when someone else touches their equipment or in this case...them just before a game?
Well that night the Flames lost against Chicago 6 to 2. OOPS!!

Trevor Kidd and myself before stepping on his toe....lol

and this is after I stepped on Trevor's toe....

The guy in the background is Gary Roberts...

Photographs by Mike Laux. This one is for you Mike. ( Rest in Peace buddy)

It was a month later that I created the limited edition prints of KIDDER #34..

By the way that cassette tape from my answering machine? I had Trevor sign it..
Thats right sign it......

Yeah that's kind of the look I got from him as well...

The printing, well that's another story...

Thank you for reading The Kidd and Me.

It was an unforgettable day...that`s for sure...

...Joe Versikaitis...