Artist Scores Home Run With Painting

A local artist is using his handiwork with the paintbrush to pay tribute to a popular sports team.

Saturday, March 29th 2008, 4:26 pm

By: News On 6


Many people are drawn to art and its different forms. Some people take to dance, others music, while some enjoy pottery and paintings. One local artist is using his handiwork with the paintbrush to pay tribute to a popular sports team.

The fastball's flying, Harry Caray's hanging out on a heavenly bleacher and the Wrigley Field marquee produces the prose, "Cubs Win Division." It's a picture perfect painting portrayed in J. Quillian's "Sweet Summer Chicago."

"It was kind of more about a celebration of Chicago, the landmark and history than about baseball," said artist J. Quillian.

Quillian lived by Wrigley Field for 10 years and it wasn't until he arrived in Chicago that he realized how crazed Cub fans were.

"I didn't know who they were," said Quillian. "Then, I went into Murphy's Bleachers across from the stadium in January and I saw the sign above the bar that said so many days until opening day. I said ‘opening what?'"

From there, Quillian became cultured by Cubs nation. From attending games to eventually painting "Sweet Summer Chicago" in 2003, Quillian is hoping this is the year the lovable losers end their 100 year World Series drought.

"That would be a celebration. I'd probably come unglued and just fly up to Chicago and spend it up there," said Quillian.

Now he's parting ways with the picture that portrays the history of the Cubs on canvas. Quillian is auctioning the piece that bleeds blue.

"To be able to walk by Wrigley Field and know that Babe Ruth and all kinds of famous players were in that stadium playing is just bone-chilling," said Quillian.

The auction for "Sweet Summer Chicago" ends Monday and should sell for a hefty price. Recent bids show people are willing to hand over tens of thousands of dollars.

By Kyle Dierking, Video Journalist. Find more of his stories in our Web Exclusives section.

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