The Other Storyteller

My boyfriend, Graig, is an artist (a painter).

He mostly paints historic baseball scenes. Before you go anywhere, you should know that I know next to nothing about baseball. But I find his paintings absolutely entrancing. I think it's because they're so narrative, that I can tell there's a fascinating story behind each and every one, even if I could care less about sports (sorry to be such a stereotypical girl on that count, but it's just the truth).

Here are some of my absolute favorites presented with a bit of my totally non-expert commentary.

I love the way the dirt is flying around in this one. With the low perspective, you almost expect it to spray your face.

Babe Ruth on Babe Ruth Day, a year before he passed away. I think you can feel the emotion radiating off of him.

One of my absolute favorites. There's something very Norman Rockwellian about this one which I adore.

I've been told this is a heartbreaking image for Mets fans for some reason or another. I think this is one of Graig's most photorealistic pieces. It's hard to believe it's a painting unless you zoom in really closely.

On rare occasion, Graig does depict some other sports. I love the colors of this golf painting. (And, okay, the awesome 1920s wardrobe of the crowd doesn't hurt either.)

This is an in-progress shot of a new painting of Jackie Robinson. I can already tell I'm going to love it, just from the way he and his uniform are popping off of the canvas.

And on very rare occasion, Graig paints scenes from awesome BBC adaptations of Jane Austen novels.

He gave this to me for Valentine's Day a few years ago. Why, yes, it totally made me swoon and became my very favorite present that I've ever received.

If you want to see more of Graig's work (or read the real stories behind the images), check out www.graigkreindler.com or his Facebook page which he updates frequently with in-progress shots and new work. 

And if you have any favorites of your own, let me know in the comments section below!