EXALTED ATHLETES
Sports heroes are the focus of an exhibition at The Arts Council featuring works by Jason Robichau
By ELLEN RITSCHER SACKETT
JASON ROBICHAU
Michael Jordan , Mickey Mantle ,
J . J . Watts , and Muhammed Ali — these are just a few of the iconic sports figures whose portraits are currently on display at The Arts Council of the Brazos Valley . The exhibit , “ The Art of Sport ,” features 28 works by College Station artist Jason Robichau and runs through Thursday , Dec . 23 .
Robichau ’ s works encapsulate each sports figures ’ emotions , often in split-second moments — a pensive headshot of Babe Ruth , a raging Muhammed Ali in the ring , a focused Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow preparing to pass the football , a determined volleyball player Kerri Walsh collapsed in the sand before the ball hits the ground , a jubilant Houston Astros baseball team following a big win .
The sports figures seem to come off the page through Robichau ’ s mixed-media techniques that incorporate drawing , painting , collage , and printed canvas . The subjects are generated from photographic images , sometimes chosen from thousands , which Robichau carefully analyzes to find just the right one before committing it to canvas . Striking is his use of primarily gold metallic paint throughout many of his works . “ It ' s really hard to work with , but the beauty of it is that it changes with the light ,” he says . “ To me it gives it an old-time feel but also a modern flavor to it . That ' s why I love it .” He paints with acrylic , mixed with glazes at times , to build layers for texture and color , he says . “ I let the layer dry , and then I do a layer over top [ to create ] the blending I want .” His combined techniques achieve a sort of 3D result .
One of his most involved paintings celebrates the Chicago Cubs ’ first World Series win after a 108-year drought . It incorporates a photograph of the 1908 team standing shoulder to shoulder in a line above the 2016 players . “ It
24 November / December 2021