Artist Interview - Mark Chiarello

Earlier this year I became aware of Mark Chiarello. I was researching some Negro League baseball cards in the Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards. He was the artist behind the 1990 Eclipse Stars of the Negro Leagues set. I did a bit of poking around and found that Mark has been involved with quite a few projects, including Comic Book covers, illustrating a kid's book, painting Star Wars stuff, and jazz icons. He is now the Art Director of DC Comics. This interview focuses on baseball cards.

How did you get your start painting baseball cards?
I guess I've been doing drawings of sport heroes since I was a little kid. I'd copy pictures of Gale Sayers and Thurman Munson out of Sports Illustrated all the time, hoping one day to become a 'real' artist when I grew up. I eventually did a few minor sports illustrations when I actually DID become a professional artist, but it wasn't until I painted the 1990 card set "Stars of the Negro Leagues" that I created my first cards.


What is your process to create a baseball card?
I really love the research phase of doing a sports portrait. I'm pretty diligent about sifting through hundreds and hundreds of photos in order to find that one, perfect image that I want to paint. I like to capture as iconic an image of a player as I possibly can, because I have the great fear that someone will say "gee, is that A-Rod or Jeter?, I'm not sure."
Once I track down that perfect photo, I draw the image in pencil and then jump in with paint (mostly watercolor). When I'm working on a baseball card, I usually work on a relatively small board (approx 10 inches tall), because I know the art is going to be reduced for publication as a trading card.


Where do you look for inspiration?
Oh, man, I'm SUCH a big baseball fan, there's inspiration all around. I always have the Yankee game on, or am reading a book about baseball. I don't play as often as I used to, but I still like to roam the outfield (although I roam a bit more slowly these days). Of course, there's always card collecting and attending card shows to get the juices flowing. Also, my best friend and collaborator, Jack Morelli, lives fairly close to Cooperstown, and as you know, that place is pretty darn inspirational.


Of the Negro League cards that you've done, do you have a favorite? Do you have a favorite Negro League player?
I've enjoyed painting Josh Gibson a few times, his life story was just so astounding. My favorite NL players are Josh, Leon Day (who I once met), Oscar Charleston (possibly the greatest baseball player of all time), and Cool Papa Bell (possibly the fastest baseball player of all time). Oh, and of course Satchel, everyone love Satchel!


What does the future hold for you with regards to baseball cards? Do you have any projects you're working on?
I've been doing a few baseball commissions lately (paintings of Sandy Koufax, Lou Gehrig and Mike Schmidt for private collectors), but yes, I'd love to get back to doing some cards. Unfortunately, with a full time job at DC Comics, it's hard to find the time to plan anything out.


As Art Director for DC Comic do you ever want to use your position to get a bat and ball back in Superman's hands?
Hahahahaha! I'd love for all of the superheroes to play a game against all of the supervillains. It seems to me that that story was told a long time ago in some weird, forgotten comic book. I'll have to do some research!


Any predictions for the 2010 MLB season?
I have three words for you: YANKEES, YANKEES, YANKEES!


I'd like to thank Mark for his generosity in allowing me to use the card images from his site and for his willingness to answer my questions. For more information on all that is Mark Chiarello point the browser to MarkChiarello.com.

What's in a Name?

Yes, it is that time of the year again. The 4th Annual Minors Moniker Madness bracket is upon us.

Here are some of the names that you can vote on in the bracket:

• Dock Doyle
• T.J. Large
• Rowdy Hardy
• Brett Butts
• Zach Outman
• Will Rhymes
• Gift Ngoepe
• Josh Smoker
• Forrest Snow
• Beamer Weems
• Stephen King
• Boomer Potts
• Cyle Hankerd
• Blake Nation
• Kila Ka'aihue
• Norris Hopper
• Jetsy Extrano
• Chorye Spoone
• Sharlon Schoop
• Mark Hamburger
• Gookie Dawkins
• Petey Paramore
• Zelous Wheeler
• Stolmy Pimentel
• Diego Seastrunk
• Al Alburquerque
• Stosh Wawrzasek
• ZeErika McQueen
• Hawkins Gebbers
• Dale Cornstubble
• Willian Avinazar
• Alden Carrithers
• Dale Cornstubble
• Qualon Millender
• Tyson Van Winkle
• Kleininger Teran
• Skyler Stromsmoe
• Elisaul Pimentel
• Clevelan Santeliz
• Yangervis Solarte
• Sugar Ray Marimon
• Porfirio Martinez
• C.J. Riefenhauser
• Zachary Petersime
• Atahualpa Severino
• Leighton Pangilinan
• Sequoyah Stonecipher
• Seth Schwindenhammer
• Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg

Stonecipher. Wawrzasek. Kleininger. Aren't those wonderful names? Now, go and vote.

Where I've been

You might have noticed that I haven't posted for about a week. What, with the crazy rule lawyers over at Gint-A-Cuffs II and heading out for a mini-vacation with my wife, I haven't really had time or great desire to blog here. But that has passed and I'm back.

I've been in Birmingham, Alabama to attend the 13th Annual Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference.

The first day was an education symposium. I skipped that. Thursday night was a "Meet and Greet" at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Feeling like a fish out of water by only knowing one other attendee, I floundered and soon found my comfort zone. I hid behind some columns until my friend Bryan was done talking with some other people. I don't remember the exact chain of events, but soon I was introduced to Billy Ray Haggins who played with Memphis Red Sox. I squatted down beside him, asked a few questions and started to listen. He told marvelous stories. About how the industrial teams provided him with all the equipment that he needed, save his glove. How he only had three or four gloves in his whole career, and only one of them was new. How his last glove "wandered off" after he was involved in an old timers game somewhere. How he wanted to own one again, even though he knew he'd never use it.

The conference was held at the Sheraton-Birmingham. Talks were given about players and teams, barnstorming sessions and race relations. There was a player panel and an authors panel. There was a trip to Rickwood Field and then on to Regions Park where the Barons beat the Diamond Jaxx, 8-3.

I met some wonderful people, learned some good research techniques, made memories and gave a nickname to a fellow SABR-ite. Hi, "Raybro".

And in the goody bag that I got at the registration table were some goodies.

2005 Judy Johnson Negro League Night Card - Bill Cash

The Judy Johnson Memorial Fund's purpose is to "educate the general public on the interesting forgotten history of Negro League Baseball", among other things. If you like this card, you can purchase it and many more through the JJMF blog.

2010 Rickwood Field Advertising Card

Rickwood Field is an interesting place. It was built 100 years ago. And they're getting ready to celebrate. Thousands of young men and women have played there over the years.

Click on photo for a larger image. For more photos of the conference, please visit my Picasa folder. There's only 141 other images. Click the link. You know you want to.

In the coming days I'll be sharing other stories and images from the conference.

Get 'em while they're hot

That's right, you can purchase the Topps Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 2010 All-Star Game Edition Team Set with 6 Topps Packs of Cards. All for about the price of a blaster from Wal-Mart.

But wait, there's more. You get six Topps Packs of Cards. Wow.

My prediction is National League over the American League, 7-5.

I also predicted that the Hair Blocker would catch on.

July Huggins and Scott Auction Catalog

I received this catalog in the mail on Saturday. I vowed I would do a quick review and highlight before the auction starts on July 28th. I'm two weeks early.

The folks at Huggins & Scott have put together another fine catalog. It is full of a variety of sports, entertainment and general history items.

I've selected five items that interest me, although there are many, many more to choose from.


Title: "Big Six" Christy Mathewson Original Game - Framed
Lot#: 130
Description: Offered is an original 1922 Christy Mathewson "Big Six" game framed to the overall dimensions of 28x39 inches. The graphics are still prominent although slightly faded. The box cover of this Big Six Christy Mathewson Indoor Baseball Game is framed side-by-side with the actual game board with both pieces showing moderate wear and staining. The frame has several screw holes and abrasions, as this seldom-seen relic had hung in Joe Theismann's restaurant. Piroxloid Products out of New York, NY chose wisely by using the great Christian Gentleman as the centerpiece of their product, and the winning bidder can make the same choice by securing this fine piece.
Opening Price: $200
My Thoughts: I like games. Even though this one is framed, it shows that a lot of thought went into the mechanics of the game. I'd probably remove it and try to play. It would be interesting to examine the game and then figure out what the percentages of each possible outcome would be and code it.




Title: 1968 Milton Bradley Win-A-Card Game with Sealed Pack of (100) Cards
Lot #: 124
Description:Featured is an original 1968 Milton Bradley Win-A-Card board game highlighted by a factory sealed pack of (100) cards. The elusive 1968 Milton Bradley set contained baseball, football and hot-rod cards. This assembly depicts baseball players Pappas, Pierce and Stoneman atop three of the 25-card stacks, with a hot-rod card situated on the other. Although not visible, football singles are also possible. These cards grade (NM-MT), barring centering imperfections visible on the four top examples. This jumbo pack may contain coveted cards such as Aaron and Ryan RC along with tougher yellow letter variations. The original board with spinner, box bottom and top (all NM) are included, making for a superlative vintage collaboration between two great American giants, Milton Bradley and Topps.
Opening Bid: $750
My Thoughts: See above. I like games. The cellophane wrapping would be off of those cards in a minute.





Title: 1887 N28 Allen & Ginter Charles Comiskey SGC 50
Lot #: 3
Description: Graded 50 VG-EX 4 by SGC. The pioneering Charles Comiskey is portrayed on the offered 1887 N28 Allen & Ginter keepsake. This mid-grade antique is crease-free, displaying modest corner and edge wear. The checklist reverse has sustained minimal age induced soiling.
Opening Bid: $200
My Thoughts: How can you not love this card? The smile. The cap. The look of optimism. And an original A&G card.




Title: 1921 Wool’s American-Maid Bread Frank Baker (SGC 30)—Only Graded from Set
Lot #: 9
Description: Graded 30 Good 2 by SGC. Presented is a 1921 Wool’s American-Maid Bread Frank “Home Run” Baker Type card. This W551 offshoot is presently the only example to have been judged by the third-party service. The surface projects impressive multi-colored hues, while the reverse is boldly stamped in black ink. A combination of wear including obverse soiling and creasing accounts for the technical grade.
Opening Bid: $150
My Thoughts: I like the fact that this is an image of a Baker on a Bread card.




Title: 1910s Boston Red Sox Porcelain Doll
Lot #: 129
Description: Baseball's juggernaut prior to being felled by the infamous "Curse of the Bambino," the Boston Red Sox were perennial champions before their ill-fated sale of Ruth. During their stellar 1910s decade, appropriate homage was paid to the BoSox in the form of treasures like this vintage doll. Clad in a thin cotton one-piece uniform with "RED SOX" arched across the chest in felt characters, the composite doll stands 13" in height and has a porcelain head and a cotton cap with a felt bill. The body feels to be horsehair or straw stuffed. A crack on the back on the head has been repaired. The uniform shows age-induced discoloration, and the felt lettering has become partially detached with portions of the "E" missing. A unique Carmines heirloom.
Opening Bid: $300
My Thoughts: Chucky's great-grandfather? I don't know that I'd really want to own this, but I found it curious.




Image Credits: all lifted from the Huggins & Scott auction site, as well as the descriptions.  Used with permission.

I was getting tired of linking to the lots and finding, months later, that all traces of the auction were gone. This way, if the original disappears, I've still got something.

National Druggist Baseball Flip Formula

I was poking around Google Books and came across this interesting recipe in the volume 46 of the National Druggist (1916):

Baseball Flip

One ounce strawberry syrup. 1 ounce pineapple syrup, add one egg and some shaved ice. Shake, strain, and fill glass with plain soda, using fine stream moderately. Top with powdered cinnamon.

This is nestled in such other concoctions as Turkish Punch, Perry Cocktail, Coffee Flip, Raspberry Ambrosia, and the American Cordial.

I haven't tried it, but it doesn't sound so terribly awful.

Image credit: Atlanta (Texas) Library

Speak Softly

and carry a big... ah, never mind.

1993 Topps, Henry Mercedes (card #602)