About the Artist
If you are a sports fan, chances are you have visually experienced the masterful talents of Dick Perez. Perez is internationally recognized as the preeminent artist within the world of baseball. He had the distinguished honor of being official artist of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York for over twenty years, and where many of his paintings still hang. He has painted portraits of every Hall of Fame inductee. Each year Perez paints the official portraits of newly inducted members for display at the Hall of Fame during the player’s induction year.
Perez has been an integral part of the Philadelphia Phillies organization since 1972 and is the team’s official artist. During his tenure with the Phillies he created yearbooks, posters, prints and has designed a variety of sales and promotional literature. He has been instrumental and influential in all artistic, advertising and design endeavors for the Phillies over the past three decades. Perez was the recipient of numerous design awards including his work in creating the official centennial logo of baseballs National League and 1983 World Series cover.
In addition to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, his paintings are housed in collections throughout North America including private collectors, corporations and Major League Baseball teams. Among owners of Perez art are former U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. With numerous commissions and works to his credit, Perez’s name has become synonymous with Major League Baseball. He has, almost single-handedly, captured the best-known and most memorable moments of America’s pastime. His sports subjects, however, are not exclusive to baseball. He has produced many paintings covering football, basketball, tennis, soccer, golf, boxing, Olympic sports and hockey.
Perez has had one-man exhibitions at Bianco Gallery in Lahaska PA, Spectrum Art Gallery in New York City, Lafayette College in Easton, PA, The Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and has been featured at the Chester County Historical Society in Westchester, PA. He has also participated in exhibitions including the Woodmere Art Museum, The Philadelphia Art Show, The U.S. Artists Show in Philadelphia, The Brooklyn College Museum, The Museum of Fine arts of Puerto Rico, The Bill Gladstone Baseball Collection exhibit at Lehigh University, The Armory Show in Philadelphia, The Lancaster Museum of Art, various exhibits at the Baseball Hall of Fame and other exhibits dedicated to sports art throughout the nation. In 1998 Perez was commissioned by the Pennsylvania State Bar Association to paint the official portrait of Robert N. C. Nix, Jr., retired Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The painting hangs permanently in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Perez reached another pinnacle in 2004 when he was honored with a solo exhibition at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts museum in Philadelphia, PA, the nation’s first art museum and art teaching institution. His exhibition called Art At Home Plate – Philadelphia Baseball Legends on Canvas was the unveiling of a series of 32 original paintings commissioned by the Phillies to be the centerpiece of a permanent exhibition in the new Citizens Bank Park. Cooperstown Gallery, created specifically for their display, is a tribute to a century of Philadelphia baseball history and the Hall of Fame members from the Phillies, Athletics and former Native Sons.
In 2013 Perez had a one man exhibit at Agora Gallery in Chelsea, Manhattan titled Dick Perez: a solo exhibition of baseball’s finest. A critical comment in the April-May issue of Gallery & Studio magazine acclaimed “…a long list of serious artists: Thomas Eakins, William Merritt Chase, Robert Henri, George Bellows, Jacob Lawrence, John Sloan, Roy Lichtenstein, Elaine de Kooning, Raoul Dufy, Robert Rauschenberg—and, yes, even Andy Warhol!—have painted baseball pictures. That said, nobody has ever painted them more consistently or authentically than Dick Perez…” Perez’ former partnership in Perez-Steele Galleries, a well known publisher of sport art, resulted in the creation of a unique body of work that is regarded as the finest baseball art of the 20th Century. His works have become coveted collectibles in the sports memorabilia arena. He was the official artist of the Donruss Card Company painting the enormously popular and successful Diamond King series in the 1980s and 1990s. He is currently creating paintings for art cards published by the Topps Company.
Dick Perez, born in 1940 in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico lived from the age of six in New York City’s Harlem and moved to Philadelphia in 1958. He attended the Philadelphia College of Art (now The University of the Arts) and the University of Pennsylvania. He has extensive training and experience in the advertising, graphic arts, printing and publishing industries. The culmination of these experiences resulted in his strong sense of design, command of composition and artistic maturity. He has been the subject of many print articles, radio and TV appearances.
In 2010 Perez published a massive 560-page leather-bound retrospective containing over 1400 reproductions of his works. The book was a finalist in the Casey Award competition for best baseball book of the year 2011, won a silver medal from IPPY (Independent Book Publishers) as best coffee table book of the year 2011, and the 2012 NeoGraphics Best in category award. The New York Daily News also voted it as the best holiday gift for 2010.
To sport enthusiasts and art lovers worldwide, Perez has captured the true essence of America’s favorite pastime. His absolute artistic abilities coupled with his depth of knowledge of the game and the players have resulted in a remarkable contribution to the richness of sports art. Former Baseball Fall of Fame president, Edward W. Stack said of Perez: He crystallizes our love of the National Game and does so by marrying his consummate craftsmanship with a visual point of view in which all the elements of subject, form, color and texture sire a freshness of image unique to this artist. Dick Perez is truly a Hall of Fame artist and we are honored that he is our friend.
PHOTO-OPS
The first, the one and the only card show this artist ever did. I'm here with my partners, Peggy and Frank Steele introducing, to the world, our inaugural project, The Hall of Fame Art Post Cards. I remember the little boy's mother saying to me after buying her son the first series of cards, 'Now you better get famous.'
The first, the one and the only card show this artist ever did. I'm here with my partners, Peggy and Frank Steele introducing, to the world, our inaugural project, The Hall of Fame Art Post Cards. I remember the little boy's mother saying to me after buying her son the first series of cards, 'Now you better get famous.'
I always braced myself for the reactions I would get from my subjects. The warm handshake from Billy Williams indicated he liked his portrait, I guess.
I always braced myself for the reactions I would get from my subjects. The warm handshake from Billy Williams indicated he liked his portrait, I guess.
I was asked to create a painting during the ESPN telecast. In this case the subject was Duke Snider, one of that year's inductees.
In 1980 ESPN televised, live, the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. I was asked to create a
painting during the telecast. In this case the subject was Duke Snider, one of that year's inductees.
I've worn a beard almost half of my life. Most of the people who know me now didn't know me then. So, for those of you who wonder?
Here I am with Frank Steele, my partner, my mentor, and my friend. Frank had a wonderful mind, a keen sense of logic and an accurate understanding of the collector. His wit and sense of humor made being with him a joyous experience. His wisdom, talent for business strategy, his integrity towards our subscribers and his loyalty to me contributed much to my success. I miss him.
I always dreamed of being on a baseball card. I admit I wanted it to be as a baseball player. However, as my partner used to say, 'God draws straight with crooked lines.'
I don't own many autographed items. But I think it's ironic that I would have one from this guy.
Wow, tennis with Hank Aaron (a strong serve) and Frank Torre (a good player). I haven't the faintest idea who that is next to me, but I hope he wasn't my doubles partner. We would have gotten killed.
I’m here with Paul Mullan, president of the Donruss Card Company during the 1980s. I guess we were discussing next year’s Diamond Kings.
DiMaggio had a problem with the smaller batting pose I did of him in the painting he is sitting under. “If I had swung like that I’d have struck out every time,” he commented. We were asked by the owner of the painting to produce the reference photo that I used. My partner Frank Steele agreed with the understanding that Joe signs the material acknowledging that we were correct in our portrayal. Frank produced the book with the photo, Joe grudgingly signed it and that was the last I heard of the problem.
I don't get to do many interiors, or presidents for that matter. Here are two presidents and one interior . The interior setting is the White House. and the president standing up is Ed Stack, former president of the Baseball Hall of Fame, one of the finest men I've ever met. The one sitting I've yet to meet.
A special promotion by the Nabisco Company produced a commission for me to do a painting of Roger Staubach. The occasion pictured here was a luncheon on a big aircraft carrier docked in New York City. Often, when I paint, I don't have access to the athlete I'm painting. I rely on appropriate sources for accurate information regarding color of eyes, color of hair, etc. With a smile Mr. Staubach turned to me while this picture was being taken and said, "You got my eyes wrong." I replied, "No, I believe they're in the right place." Needless to say, I was highly embarrassed.
In 1976 baseball’s National League celebrated its 100th year. Major League Baseball held a national contest for the design of the official logo that would commemorate the season long event. Guess who won? The late Chub Feeney, then president of the National League, offers his congratulations.
As you can see, it only took three of us to hold up the print. My partners, as usual, were there for support.
The first limited edition signed print published in 1980 by Perez-Steele Galleries featured Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton. So, in the success story of our company this photo has some historical significance.
My very favorite Hall of Famer is Ted Williams. I will always treasure the moments I spent with this man at the induction weekends he attended. This is one of my favorite photos, even if it was a bad hair day.
One of the many tennis tournaments I participated in during Hall of Fame weekends. Standing left to right, are Ted Williams, Bobby Brown (an excellent tennis player), Bowie Kuhn, yours truly, and Bobby Doerr. Kneeling are John Harrington (president, Boston Red Sox), someone whose name I forgot, John Henry Williams and Bill Gutfarb (Red Sox executive). I was the guy who won for sweating the most.
I look at this picture and wonder, how come I look like the one who’s being honored? To my left is Jim Hanlon, former president of Leaf-Donruss and on my right is Nolan Ryan helping me hold up the painting, a gracious man.
Baseball’s Mr. Nice Guy, Dale Murphy, with Frank and me in front of Frank’s home. I told him once that someday I would be painting his Hall of Fame Art Post Card. He modestly replied that that was too far away in the future and that he didn’t know if he could go the distance. He certainly had a stellar career with a couple of MVP awards, led the league in home runs and RBIs a few times, was an all-star twice and won five straight Gold Glove Awards. I don’t know, however if the final numbers elevate him to Hall of Fame status. I hope I didn’t jinx him.
In early spring of 1981, two days before he was shot, President Ronald Reagan accepted my watercolor of Grover Cleveland Alexander at a White House Hall of Fame Luncheon. Ed Stack, Hall of Fame President, makes the presentation as Willie Mays applauds in the foreground. President Reagan portrayed Alexander in a motion picture and told attendees that he had a special fondness for the old-time star. The president also signed up as registrant no. 00001 for the complete Perez-Steele Hall of Fame Art Post Card set.
In another White House ceremony, President Bill Clinton is presented with the original art for the Hall of Fame Art Post Card of “Arky” Vaughan. Vaughan is the state of Arkansas’ own baseball Hall of Famer. Do you get the connection?
A vicarious competition between newly inducted Gaylord Perry and Ted Williams took place during the 1991 Hall of Fame induction weekend, Gaylord’s son and my good friend Robbie Hacker teamed up against Ted’s son, John Henry Williams, and me. I honestly can’t remember who won the match, but I do remember the intense sideline rooting each father expressed for his son. Talk about pressure!
The Perez-Steele family in the lobby of the grand Otesaga Hotel by Lake Otsego in Cooperstown. We’re chatting with Burleigh Grimes and Bill Dickey, two Hall of Famers who are no longer with us. In fact, it is sad to think of all of those baseball legends who have passed on since 1980, the first of my yearly pilgrimages to Cooperstown.
I met Jim Murray a long time ago when he was Sports Information Director for Villanova University. He went on to become the General Manager of the Philadelphia Eagles during the 1970s. Jim Murray was the gateway through which I entered into sports art. He is one of those individuals who make such an impact on your life you are transformed.
All of these guys insisted on having their picture taken with me. So, who’s to know? Anyway, it’s always a thrill to meet the true diamond kings who were invariably gracious to me and to my partners Frank and Peggy Steele. I’m sure you know those who are pictured here.
All of these guys insisted on having their picture taken with me. So, who’s to know? Anyway, it’s always a thrill to meet the true diamond kings who were invariably gracious to me and to my partners Frank and Peggy Steele. I’m sure you know those who are pictured here.
All of these guys insisted on having their picture taken with me. So, who’s to know? Anyway, it’s always a thrill to meet the true diamond kings who were invariably gracious to me and to my partners Frank and Peggy Steele. I’m sure you know those who are pictured here.
All of these guys insisted on having their picture taken with me. So, who’s to know? Anyway, it’s always a thrill to meet the true diamond kings who were invariably gracious to me and to my partners Frank and Peggy Steele. I’m sure you know those who are pictured here.
This was not a cruise. It was a typical dinner during Hall of Fame weekend. Standing left to right are, Howard Talbot (Hall of Fame exec), Peggy, Frank and I; sitting are, Donna and Bill Burdick (Clark Foundation exec) and Jean and Paul Mullan (The Donruss Company)
I’m not going to say much about this picture except that it involves a tennis tournament and that my partner was Roy Campanella’s son-in-law. I put it up to impress some of my tennis buddies.
Proud moments for me were the years of the “Diamond Kings Wall” at the Hall of Fame wing dedicated to contemporary baseball. The wall was wide and high and exhibited enlarged versions of the yearly crop of Donruss Diamond Kings. It added great color and interest to the area and created a rush for me.
My studio is my refuge. I work alone, at my own pace; surrounded by the things that inspire me and the things I’ve accomplished. I usually work to Baroque music, which I find suitable to painting.
I’m not sure why I included this picture or what it has to do with this website except that we’re both wearing baseball caps. The gentleman I’m with is Mel Brooks. I have always been a big fan and consider him a comic genius. I met him during family vacations on one of the Virgin Islands and had the opportunity to enjoy his humor live and close up. I guess a reason why you’re seeing this picture is that during this boat ride between islands we had a discussion about both of us growing up in New York City, escaping the ghetto and coming a long way in life through hard work and fortuity. I’m not implying that we’re buddies. In fact, I vacation at other places now and haven’t seen him since that boat ride, but the event is a treasure well kept in my mind’s hard drive.
In 2011 former Phillies General Manager was inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame. The painting of Pat being unveiled here will hang permanently in Citizen’s Bank, Cooperstown Gallery, along with the other Phillies great Hall of Famers.
Perhaps the pinnacle of my career was the one-man exhibit at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the nation’s first museum and teaching art institution. The exhibition called Art At Home Plate - Philadelphia Baseball Legends on Canvas was the unveiling of a series of 32 original paintings commissioned by the Phillies to be the centerpiece of a permanent exhibition in Citizens Bank Park. With me is one of my dearest friends, David Montgomery, General Partner, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Philadelphia Phillies.
An interview conducted in my home by Comcast.