Monroe, CT – July 27, 2010 – Nationally known sports artist Mike Sullivan of California is using his creative talents, as he always has. He's re-envisioning athletic logos, mascots, or football helmets in his chiseled, edgy style for colleges and universities across the country, and even high schools, in partnership with the framing expertise of Church Hill Classics (CHC) of Monroe, Connecticut.
This new project focuses on framing Mike's distinctive sports art for college athletics modeled after his stadium murals. His textured technique seems to put in motion the Bobcats of Texas State University - San Marcos, the Bears from Washington University in St. Louis, the Fighting Sioux of the University of North Dakota, the Nittany Lions of Penn State, the Cornhuskers of the University of Nebraska, and many others. Each image is custom designed by Mike.
"I'm really excited about partnering up with Church Hill Classics," said Mike Sullivan in a phone interview. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to show the logos, helmets, and mascots in a new and exciting way. It's an honor to be shown in the college bookstores."
Joe Voves, vice president of CHC, commented, "With the success of Mike Sullivan's stadium mural program, we were thrilled to partner with him to offer a line of collectible framed art that features popular collegiate mascots, created in Mike's signature dynamic style. With no art charges and low minimums, now is the ideal time to create a unique new offering for back-to-school and the fall sports season."
Mike's specially made logo, mascot, or helmet artwork are framed in two styles - Logo and Showcase - by Church Hill Classics, a leading manufacturer and online retail site diplomaframe.com in the collegiate diploma frame industry, as well as custom framing for professional associations and the military.
- Logo has an overall size of 10" x 12" and is framed in Arena, a moulding with a black satin finish, and includes a gold or silver plate.
- Showcase, with an overall size of 19.25" x 21.25", is framed in Eclipse, a contemporary matte black frame with a high gloss black inner accent. Matting choices include a suede outer mat and school color inner mat, with a 2" engraved medallion in gold or silver.
Mike hopes that the college sports fans will further appreciate their experience at games with his art and show support to their teams. He mentioned that in visiting college bookstores, he's been told that everything looks the same. "Our stuff jumps out. It's a new approach and gives it a different look and feel too."
Mike's framed artwork is similar to his large stadium murals that he's been commissioned to do by colleges and universities including Arizona State University, University of Southern California, The University of Texas, and the University of Nebraska. One such mural of a touchdown during a University of Nebraska football game, measuring 22 by 28 feet, was unveiled in September 2009. The mural, made up of 616 mosaic tiles, celebrates the Huskers' 300 consecutive football sellouts.
"I love Mike Sullivan's artwork," related an enthusiastic Scott Strunc, president of Husker Hounds at the University of Nebraska. "His pictures capture the spirit that is Nebraska Football. When I see his pictures, I feel like I am connecting the past and the future of Nebraska Football. His work is unmatched as far as quality and attention to detail. I even got a custom made one for my basement with a gold plate on the bottom commemorating my Mother's love for Nebraska Football. Mike's artwork is for the hard to buy Husker Fan that has everything and only wants quality now!"
For Texas State University at San Marcos, Terry Vaught of Colloquium Bookstores remarked, "Our school is currently trying to take its football program to the next level and they are gaining logo recognition, as a result. We feel that what Mike did with the logo is exciting and we are confident that our fans will agree. We have always been very pleased and impressed with Church Hill Classics commitment to quality and we look forward to continuing our successful relationship."
About Mike Sullivan
"I've always liked drawing," said Mike. For the last few years, he's been working on his sports art. His interest in art started when Mike was a child. He grew up in Buffalo and Syracuse, NY, and in Detroit, Michigan, where he went to high school. Then he attended The Center for Creative Studies Art College in Detroit, Michigan, majoring in illustration and Fine Arts.
Additional art of Mike Sullivan includes professional athlete portraits, as well as portraits of musicians and figures in history, and custom art for ESPN and Fox Sports Net's BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD. Mike is also involved with charity work including Miller Children's Hospital, The Magic Johnson Foundation, and The Pat Tillman Foundation, among others.