| By
Tom Kessenich
Carlo Beninati could see it in the eyes. Joe Montana had that look, the look of a predator eyeing up a potential kill. With each snap on the football field, Montana's approach was calm and cool, but the eyes betrayed the intensity that made him an NFL legend.
It was in those eyes that Beninati saw the essence of greatness. And that greatness not only made Beninati a long-time fan of the former NFL superstar, but when the opportunity came for Beninati to put Montana's eternal essence on canvas, he did not hesitate to jump at the opportunity.
"He's always been one of my heroes," said Beninati, who has painted some of the greatest legends in sports, including Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. "Joe Montana is an all-time legend and it was an incredible honor to have my signature accompany his for many years to follow.
Beninati's original 24-by-30-inch painting of Montana, which he began at this year's SportsFest in Chicago, will be auctioned
on eBay.
All proceeds of the auction will go to a new fund created earlier this year that promotes the sports collectibles industry outside the hobby.
Beninati has painted some of the biggest names in sports over the past 30 years. His client base includes Fortune 500 companies as well as sports figures and political leaders. His artwork can also be found in galleries and museums all over the world.
In addition, some of his work can also be found online at www.beninati.com.
Beninati is no stranger to SportsFest. He created an original painting of another NFL legend, Dan Marino, a couple of years ago at SportsFest and also worked on a Jordan painting at the show two years ago. Marino took part in the project by signing the original artwork in paint.
The opportunity for Beninati to create a Montana painting came about because of their mutual connection to this year's SportsFest. Montana was one of the featured autograph guests at this year's show and with Beninati on board to create an original piece of artwork, the timing was perfect for him to put to canvas one of his favorite athletes.
Having Montana at the show also afforded Beninati the opportunity to show his work to the subject himself. Montana was taken aback by the painting when he saw it and helped enhance the unique value of the piece by signing it.
"He was very complimentary" Beninati said. "The care that he took to sign that piece was incredible. It was a magnificent, large signature in metallic, silver ink.
"I wish we could have had him at our booth for two minutes. I would have loved that from a marketing and even an ego kind of thing, but I also think that he would have enjoyed putting some strokes on the painting."
In addition to creating the Montana piece, this year's SportsFest also saw the first public unveiling of Beninati's original paintings of Jordan and Woods.
The Woods piece, labeled "Tiger Roars," is 30-by-40 inches and is signed by Woods and Beninati. There were six original Jordan pieces shown to the public ("Victory Dance," "Next Point," "Court Jester," "In the Paint," "Free Throw" and "Last Shot"). All images are 30-by-40 inches, except for "Last Shot" (which is a two-print set, measuring 36-by-22 inches each) and all are signed by Jordan and Beninati.
The Woods and Jordan paintings are authenticated by Upper Deck Authenticated, which has exclusive autograph agreements with Jordan and Woods.
Working on the Montana painting and displaying the Woods and Jordan paintings enabled Beninati to be one of the most attractive and popular presences at SportsFest this year. Each day of the event, hoards of collectors flocked to his booth to see him work on the Montana painting and admire the work he had created of two of the greatest legends in sports history.
Collectors came to see the work Beninati was creating and had created and often left in awe of what they had seen.
"It was an incredible happening," Beninati said. "The response was just incredible. We had such fun."
"The fine art prints make a statement and you're talking about something that is really prominent. They are 30-by-40 and it takes up a wall in its own right, but it deserves to take up a wall. The Jordan and Tiger Woods paintings are incredible pieces of art."
In addition to bringing Montana to life on the canvas, Beninati said he had another goal in mind during his work at SportsFest.
"I think we helped to validate the fact that sports art has become incredibly serious," he said. "It is not just memorabilia, it has transcended collecting to actual fine art that sees fit to being in museums, the finest galleries and the finest private collections throughout the world.
"What I wanted to convey was not only his likeness, but also that this was fine art."
With just one look, it is Beninati's hope that Montana's essence will come to life on the canvas.
"What I wanted to do in this particular painting is show the incredible energy and excitement not just of (Montana) but of the sport as well," said Beninati, who utilized several Montana photos in order to create the one image he put on canvas. "I think (football) exudes energy
"That's what we call the 'X' factor as artists. It's not just documenting the image that you see in front of you; it's achieving a feeling.
"It's romantic impressionism and I think it conveys history and it's absolutely real. With all the people that blow up computer images and all that, I didn't want that. There's no doubt when you look at this painting that this is an original piece of art and it's a fine-art painting."
One way Beninati hopes to convey that sense of realism with his paintings is by selecting a "focal point" on the person he hopes to immortalize on canvas. With Montana, the focal point was obvious.
The eyes.
"Just by looking at his face and his eyes, you wouldn't even have to see his body, by his eyes you know he has a target in mind, that he's looking at his target and that's where (the ball is) going to go," Beninati said.
Beninati's involvement with SportsFest has gone so well he said he would not hesitate to be involved with a future show if asked to take part.
"I would be proud to do as many as SportsFest would allow me to do," he said. "It's been an incredible experience. SportsFest brings such quality autograph guests that I think I will always have a great choice to choose from."
To see this painting, go to the Sports
Art Gallery and click on the Joe Montana thumbnail image.
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Sports Art
