Congratulations Michele Rushworth!

Geary Wootten · 10-03-2004, 01:32 AM

Michele, et al,

Being a Seattle, Washington resident and "across the pond" neighbor of Michele Rushworth, our esteemed moderator here, I would like to take the opportunity to say a heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS for a marvelous unveiling of your portrait of Edgar Martinez...a Seattle "Mariner" in the Major League Baseball Association.....for his retirement and in honor of his record setting career.

My wife and I watched on television tonight the unveiling of this beautifully rendered painting depicting his amazing swing he's perfected during his 18 years in the Majors....his WHOLE career spent right here in Seattle....in front of all 45,000 plus fans that remained at Safeco Field for the events. It was SOMETHING to behold indeed!

Michele, I can't tell you how proud I am of you for producing this marvelous commission piece. It was a perfect addition to a very emotionally charged event.

Job well done!!!! Three cheers for MICHELE!!!

Your Puget Sound Friend,
Geary

Mary Sparrow · 10-03-2004, 08:47 AM

Way to go Michele!!!! Congratulations.

Linda Brandon · 10-03-2004, 11:54 AM

Michele, I am dying to see some photos posted here! Wish I could have seen this, although I did send my whole extended family in Seattle to cheer for you.

I'll bet your heart is still pounding! I am so happy for you!

Michele Rushworth · 10-03-2004, 02:28 PM

Thanks, folks! I haven't got photos ready to post yet so a description will have to do for now.

It was a pretty major unveiling party last night, I have to say. My husband and I were sitting up in the Owners' Suite above home plate, with the Mayor sitting in front of us, a Senator next to us and the Commissioner of all of Major League Baseball behind us. Down on the field, after the game, we could see the whole team arrayed, the player who was being honored, the Governor, some other bigwigs.... and right next to them beside the red carpet, my big painting on a gold easel under a black drape, all being watched by 40,000 people.

Of course, the portrait was only a tiny part of all the recognition heaped upon this most deserving of athletes, Edgar Martinez. He's beloved by the fans, not just for his accomplishments in baseball, but also because of his kind spirit and warm heart. The ceremonies went on for 90 minutes, of which the unveiling of my painting took up only a few minutes.

But the portrait was displayed there for all to see the whole time, and up on the big screen, too, as it was unveiled by the team's CEO for Edgar. The painting, along with my name, rated a mention in today's newspaper and there was also some TV coverage. We taped it but I haven't watched it yet.

I introduced myself to many of the various luminaries in attendance and gave several of them an 8x10 print of the painting (in a nice folder with my business card and contact information, of course!) I'll follow up with each of them with a "thank-you-and-so-nice-to-meet-you" letter so that perhaps some future commissions might come of this.

Lots of fun -- and now it's time for me to crash! This past two weeks have been exhausting. It will be a relief to get back to my normal quiet routine in the studio. I need a nap!

Michele Rushworth · 10-04-2004, 01:39 PM

Here are a couple of photos I took at the event. They were taken with my camera, up high in the Owner's box which is why the "closeup" is so fuzzy. You can get the idea of what it was like, though. The man on the right doing the unveiling is the Mariners CEO.

I'll be putting some better "screen capture" shots from the TV coverage on my website when I get a chance.

(If the photos aren't here yet, they're coming. I'm still having trouble adding images to my SOG posts.)

Terri Ficenec · 10-04-2004, 02:08 PM

Michele, you're keeping us in suspense! just dying to see these photos.. .

Sounds like it was a total success! Congratulations again!

Janel Maples · 10-04-2004, 02:13 PM

I have a pretty good imagination yet I can't imagine how you must have felt. What an incredible experience that must have been for you.

I am very happy for you.

And I hope you get that well deserved nap.

Cynthia Daniel · 10-04-2004, 11:26 PM

Photos are up. Awesome, Michele! Congratulations!

Garth Herrick · 10-05-2004, 02:46 AM

Congratulations Michele!

I think you probably have several hundred more fans right here in the Forum. I hope we can all attend your next big unveiling, perhaps within the months ahead!

I have only known one artist who has had as much wide exposure with an introduction of a work, and his work was the new reverse side of the penny in 1959! I hope this painting will circulate and create amazing new opportunities for you.

Well done, and truly awesome photos of what must have been an even more awesome experience!

Garth

Terri Ficenec · 10-05-2004, 08:07 AM

How absolutely thrilling! Could a painting be any more prominently displayed?

Congratulations!!
Let us know when the screen captures are up on your website?