Early Influences- Baseball

To explain the amount of baseball going-on's at my house growing up would take way longer than anyone would care to listen.  Let's just say my backyard was forever filled with games of catch, ghost runners, home run derbies, balls thrown on the roof and eager gloves waiting for them to roll back down, etc., etc., etc.

Me, circa 1992. The cuter one on the right is my little sister, Elaine.

Oh, and my sister and I both took blows to the face, on separate occasions, courtesy of big bro's swing of the bat.  End result being a black eye for me, stitches for her.   

I enjoyed the backyard baseball shenanigans (minus that black eye incident), but I was never into playing on an organized team.  My brother and sister, however,  were both into it.

Big time. 

This will probably sound biased, but they were both truly very good.  Swear.  On top of the bajillion games I attended on their behalves, sometimes begrudgingly I must admit,  my dad took us to a whole bunch of major league games too.  Those were more fun because I got to eat ice cream out of one of those little plastic hats.  I've been to Wrigley Field, Turner Field, Fenway, Yankee Stadium, Busch Stadium, the Astrodome, PNC Park, Comiskey...  the list goes on and on.   

"Busch Stadium" acrylic on canvas by Holly B. Johnson ©2005. Prints, $25 each.

When I was at Ole Miss I went to a bunch of those baseball games too.  That and going out to Sardis Lake were my two favorite springtime activities in college.  Recently one my friends told me we have to get to Oxford for a game this year. 

Couldn't agree more. 

Even felt inspired to paint these two pieces...  

"Rebel Infield" watercolor on paper by Holly B. Johnson ©2012 . Prints, $15 each.

"Rebel Outfield" watercolor on paper by Holly B. Johnson ©2012 . Prints, $15 each.

I worked on them at the same time, intending for them to be a diptych.  But you can purchase the prints separately if you'd like.  I put my sister's number (4) on the first one, and I fully intended to put my brother's number (16) on the second one, but I couldn't get the double digits to look right (sorry John).  I ended up settling with my number from the measly two seasons that I played,

errr... warmed the bench.   

Purchase your print already double matted and ready to frame! Just $5 extra.