Utilizing a variety of photographs as well as memories of those who had known the football legend, Falcone created the sculpture in clay at his studio, first in miniature, and then the final bust to scale. Throughout the creation of the Otto Graham sculpture, Falcone worked directly with Thompson and a hand-selected team of Coast Guard staff, several of whom had known Otto Graham, along with the blessing of the Graham family. Thompson, who was Captain of the CGA football team under Graham, tapped Falcone to create the sculpture after observing Falcone’s successful completion of a series of oversized oil paintings for the Academy’s Historical Murals Project commissioned by the USCGA Class of ’62, a project that spanned over a decade, 2001 through 2012, and which required the Artist to work closely with CGA alumni, staff and personnel. Bill Thompson, USCGA Alumni Class of ’64 and volunteer Chair of the Academy’s new sports’ facility project, envisioned the museum celebrating the theme “Leadership through Athletics”. Though Falcone is widely recognized for his highly detailed historic paintings, murals and heirloom portraits, he has always felt that he harbored a sculptor within, just waiting to emerge. The imposing Graham bust, Falcone’s first bronze sculpture of his 42-year career as a commissioned fine artist, stands 7’ tall on its pedestal and is 1.25 human scale. The sculpture, displayed upon a pedestal of Pennsylvania cherry wood, captures both the rugged athleticism of Graham, renowned NFL Hall of Fame Champion, as well as the focused leadership of an athlete who in 1963 became a Captain at the Coast Guard Academy as well as Athletic Director and Head Coach of the CGA football team, leading the Bears to their first and only no-loss/no-tie season. Coast Guard Academy celebrated the opening of the Otto Graham Hall of Athletic Excellence with a Ribbon-cutting Ceremony highlighted by a commanding bronze portrait bust of the museum’s namesake, Otto Graham, sculpted by Tony Falcone of Prospect, Connecticut.
Contact the Falcone Fine Art Studio for details! Strictly limited to an edition of 440, these collectible prints are available unframed for $150, or framed for $300, shipping not included. January 23, 2017- The Falcone Fine Art Studio has announced the availability of an edition of 'Acceptance', Tony Falcone's tribute to the inauguration of President Obama.
0 kommentar(er)
