Opie Otterstad
artwork
b. 1970
“With the love of the spirit of the athlete and telling the story of sports in our time,
I am trying to show the world of art that sometimes
The depth of character and thought can be expressed with tangible imagery.”
Opie Otterstad
As a little boy Opie Otterstad shared a special bond with his dad, which was enhanced by the love of baseball. Even in recent conversations, the artist ecstatically recalls childhood memories involving the sport. As an only child who defied family history by not following his lineage of Lutheran Ministry, he instead followed his heart becoming a sport’s artist.
While studying at St. Olaf College in Minnesota, Otterstad pursued his Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Art and started actively showing his artwork. His advisor posed a very important question to him that has stuck in his head since: “What do you want to do the rest of your life?” Eventually he realized that he needed to make art his life, to dominate all of his thoughts and to embrace his passion for art. Understanding that talent alone is not enough; he needed to own it with his head and heart. His quest included extensive painting training as well as art and sports historical education which ultimately illuminating his unique perspective on his art.
It was during the next phase of his life that he was discovered. While happily sketching at a job one day his art became an interest to a senior member of the office. One thing led to another and he began a series of commissions that seriously changed his life forever. They were for Greg Norman, Evander Hollyfield and Bernard Langer.
Unlike most Sport’s artists who usually base their paintings upon a sports photograph, Opie Otterstad approaches his paintings very creatively by bringing a lot of art historical influences into his canvases; enhancing the symbolism inherent in each composition. Working in palette knife, Otterstad paints in a fluid manner. His main focus is to capture the intensity of the moment.
Otterstad is passionate about merging fine art and sports. The history of sports has always fascinated him with the understanding that the great sports moments become historical events. As a painter, he relishes his role as a storyteller.
Opie Otterstad is best known for his ability to paint the spirit of the athletes, the fans, the teams and their victories. He captures the indescribable through his signature style of painting “the game”.
Throughout his fifteen years as a MLB sanctioned artist, Opie Otterstad has created World Series
“celebration paintings” for the Houston Astros (2017), Chicago Cubs (2016), Kansas City Royals (2015), Boston Red Sox (2004/2007/2013/2-18), San Francisco Giants (2010/2012/2014), New York Yankees (2009), Philadelphia Philles (2008), St. Louis Cardinals (2006/2011), Chicago White Sox (2005), Florida Marlins (2003) and Anaheim Angels (2002), in addition to other 2Major League Baseball’s teams.
Lauded as “Sport Art’s Troubadour,” Otterstad has also been commissioned to create masterpieces for the NBA, NCAA, NFL organizations and professional athletes in the world of golf, boxing, tennis and hockey. He has become the artist of choice to paint some of the most defining moments in sports history. There is no other artist whose works are in more professional athletes’ collections. The players often comment on Otterstad’s ability to capture their soul in paint.
Newbury Fine Arts is pleased to announce that Opie Otterstad is releasing his new World Series celebration limited edition signed and numbered, Boston Champs IV. All of the key 2018 Red Sox players are featured. Newbury Fine Arts is the exclusive gallery representing this new fine art edition. Please contact us to reserve your piece of Red Sox history now.
Private Collections:
Hank Aaron
Felipe Alou
Lance Armstrong
Alan Ashby
Stacey Augmon
Brad Ausmus
Jeff Bagwell
Charles Barkley
Rob Beck
Derek Bell
Sean Berry
Craig Biggio
Tim Bogar
Barry Bonds
Bobby Bonilla
Bobby Bragan
President George Bush
Ken Caminiti
Sam Cassell
Cesar Cedeno
Will Clark
Roger Clemens
Ben Crenshaw
Jose Cruz
Larry Dierker
Octavio Dotel
Doug Drabek
Jeff Fassero
Ben Folds
Gerald Ford
Estate of Josh Gibson
Marcus Giles
Vince Gill
Juan Gonzales
Luis Gonzalez
Mel Gray
Jeff Grayer
Shawn Green
Rusty Greer
Wayne Gretzky
Buddy Groom
John Halama
Mike Hampton
Todd Hollandsworth
Lefty Hohlmayer
Chris Holt
Evander Holyfield
John Hudek
Lance Johnson
Russ Johnson
Todd Jones
George Karl
Roberto Kelly
Estate of Darryl Kile
Harmon Killebrew
Ralph Kiner
Bernard Langer
Jose Lima
Jeff Maggert
Bill Mazeroski
Mark McGwire
John McMullen
Wade Miller
Steve Mizerak
Brian Moehler
Benji Molina
James Mouton
Joe Niekro
Greg Norman
Paul O’Neill
Hakeem Olajuwon
Darren Oliver
Roy Oswalt
Pepper Paire
Rafael Palmeiro
Dean Palmer
Kirby Puckett
Albert Pujols
Doug Radar
Rick Reed
Craig Reynolds
Shane Reynolds
Estate of Sam Rice
JR Richard
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Coach Eddie Robinson
Pudge Rodriguez
Nolan Ryan
Joe Sambito
Doug Sanders
Estate of Gene Sarazen
Scott Servais
Mike Scott
Estate of Alan Shepard
Dave Smith
Sammy Sosa
Bill Spiers
Coach Gene Stallings
Ichiro Suzuki
Greg Swindell
Mickey Tettleton
Dave Veres
Bill Birdon
Billy Wagner
Donnie Wall
Woody Williams
Bobby Witt
Estate of Joe Wood
Jimmy Wynn
Carl Yastrzemski
Corporate collectors:
Houston Astros
Toyota Corp.
Nike Corp.
National Baseball Hall Fame
Dr. Pepper of Texas
American Museum of Sports Art
Texas Rangers
Florida Marlins
Pittsburgh Pirates
St Louis Cardinals
New Jersey Devils
St. Louis Blues
Houston Rockets
Rice University
San Francisco Giants
Baylor College of Medicine
KRLD Radio, Dallas TX
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