Simply making it as a pro is hard enough in its own right. But making the leap from meteoric, athletic stardom to a reputable art career is a world of its own. The people listed here all achieved greatness in their sports and then went on creative quests. This quartet of ex sports champions, from the melodic worlds of jazz, to abstract realms of expressionism, and intricately ignited pyrography and cool barely touched watercolours have proved that artistry can run parallel with athletic acumen. There were some amazing talents that surfaced from the junction of sports with art. Basketball playing NBA star Jeremy Evans got crazy with his talents and athleticism painting a dunk self-portrait into a giant canvas. For a comparable story, visit ESPN to see how former NFL Todd Marinovich opened an online gallery of sports-themed sculptures, murals and oil paintings. Below is a list of a few among many athletes that switched from the court or field to the art world and done so quite successfully.
1. Richard Sullivan
Sullivan walked away from the diamond after six years in minor league baseball with the Atlanta Braves. It was during class at the Savannah College of Art and Design that he got the call from the Braves as a junior — but it reportedly took him years to choose art over baseball. The inking tool-tooling man was a known watercolorist by now, with his work adorning the SunTrust Park home of the Atlanta Braves. Noble delivers a uniquely human spread of athleticism and creativity in replica fashion with original paintings that sit proudly in the Executive Offices and Champions Suite.
2. David Givens
Professional football player David Givens, a Super Bowl winner with both the Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots, showed an unexpected strain of creative ability once he got his hands on a piece of graphite. Driven by a series of brutal injuries he suffered during his career as an athlete, painting became a place of solace for Givens. That growth, and indeed that incredible artistic journey, was celebrated in a popular exhibition at South Shore Art Center — the direct result of his persistence and discipline as an artist.
3. Terry Crews
Terry Crews: All You Need To Know About The Talented Footballer Who Became A First-Rate Actor He worked as a courtroom artist to apply his skills and won an art scholarship in college, but chose a pro football path with Oakland before eventually turning to acting. The fact that Crews has shown himself to be adept and talented in rendering photorealistic portraits of NFL players is only a further testament to his work as an artist. His story encourages students to also look at the connections between art and other interests, showing how proficiency in one area can inform and enrich another.
4. Serena Williams
Serena Williams, the world-renowned tennis player, is more than just an athlete. In addition to her athleticism she has also discovered a love of painting, taking lessons to learn more about the impressionist movement. It all mirrors the two-sided talent she brings on the court — complete with stepping away from tennis during her time at France to dive back into art as part of her artistic pathway. From her flourishing jewelry line to her work as a creative, Williams has proven she is an artist through and through in every sense.
5. Ryan McCann
Ryan McCann — a former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback — turned his back on football due to a shoulder injury and went into art. A mixed-media pyrographer now, he applies a flame from a blowtorch to create the base of an eye candy art piece and adds layers of acrylics or oil paints. The pieces of McCann have grown in recent years, and they are more popular than ever, often accompanied by a humorous commentary.
6. Desmond Mason
Born again painter: Desmond Mason, former NBA player for a decade, turned to art while at Oklahoma State University’s studio school And he’s made a living as an abstract expressionist painter after he stopped playing basketball professionally. Mason has a number of pieces in solo exhibitions and private collections worldwide and is widely regarded as one of the top artists globally. ~Lauren on Tom Mason His art exhibition held annually support many charitable intiatives.
7. Ernie Barnes
Ernie Barnes was a rare person who excelled in two different worlds — sport and art. On the football field, he was one of the most physical and smartest offensive linemen to ever play. Yet his power to create was what truly captured the world. With his inevitable absorbing eye for detail, Barnes fell easily into the role of painter, taking his unique view and translating it onto colourful canves. His distinct style, characterized by elongated forms in motion, turned everyday life and sports into liquid poetry.
8. Usain Bolt
Well, the great Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt has just made it as smoothly from the track to art. In addition to his athletic abilities, the 31-year-old Bolt has also ventured into design and photography. Some of his artistic ventures involve a solo line of sneakers he produced in a partnership with Puma. There was a turning point for him after he won the Olympics in London when he picked up a camera at random and started to share his unique perspective with the world.
References
- https://theartofeducation.edu/2023/05/may-8-artist-athletes-that-are-a-slam-dunk-for-your-class/
- https://www.trebuchet-magazine.com/the-worlds-best-athletes-turned-artists/
- https://www.ranker.com/list/athletes-who-are-artists/people-in-sports
- https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/mar/13/which-football-players-have-also-turned-their-hands-to-art
