Sports Artist Spotlight: Ike Rodriguez
Ike has followed the lead of the masters, listing his biggest influences as Picasso, Rembrandt and Dali. In sports art it’s been Dick Perez, Vernon Wells, Robert Hurst and fellow Beckett Baseball Artist Spotlight artist Stephen Holland.
Rodriguez began honing his artistic skills by doing pencil drawings for friends, then began experimenting with painting and eventually developed his own style. His paintings caught the eye of former NFL wide receiver Donnie Avery, who gave Rodriguez his first commission. “Through word of mouth, I started getting other pro athletes.”
His most recent work is a painting of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. “I thought it turned out well,” Rodriguez says. “It’s a strong piece that has a very simple background that highlights Kareem’s classic hook shot. I was pleased with it.”
Website: IkesArtStudio.com
