Read About Kait's James Conner Painting and Getting to Meet Him Herself

Kait with James Conner and her painting of James

This May I was asked for the second year in a row if I would create a painting of James Conner to go to auction to raise money for Dr. Stanley Marks Cancer research department in the Hillman Center. Dr. Marks is well known in Pittsburgh as one of the greatest and go to doctors if you're diagnosed with cancer. When James Conner was playing football for Pitt University, at the age of 19 James was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. When I was with James I asked what symptoms he had and he said he almost thought he had a cold and obviously being an athlete and being so young, cancer is the last thing that comes to your mind. Fortunately James was treated by Dr. Marks and has been in remission for 2 years now. Since then James has been an inspiration to people and athletes everywhere especially to Pittsburgh where he was soon drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers where he currently plays.

The original painting is done in acrylic on canvas in a 3ftx4ft size and then smeared with yellow acrylic paint. I went with this theme because my painting of Antonio Brown was a huge hit and also I only had so much to make the painting. Any time I'm in a time crunch I leave my oils behind and go for acrylics. I anticipated getting the painting done in a week MAYBE two. Ha, yeah no. There was so much more detail that I didn't take into consideration which drew the painting process out for about a month. Luckily I did get it done in time for the auction but first I was asked to meet with James first so he could autograph the painting. Last year's painting of James sold for $6000 so we had high hopes for this painting, but it completely succeeded my expectations with being sold at a whopping $11,500!! I couldn't be more grateful or excited to help raise money for Dr. Marks and the Cancer Research at the Hillman Center.

" James Conner" Acrylic on Canvas 3ftx4ft

Kait Schoeb With Her Painting "Blue Steel" Before Auction

As you read in the previous blog post I had the pleasure of creating artwork and attending the Game Changer and Mike Ditka Day Celebration Gala in honor of the Save Jon Foundation. This year the Game Changer Gala was held July 30th at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pa. Coach Ditka along with multiple doctors and founding members, Dr. Lisa Boyette and Dr. Dietrich Stephan serve as executive and active board members to serve Save Jon's mission. Throughout the evening aligned a ray of entertainment with everyone suited in their tux and gowns. Throughout the course of dinner were speeches by multiple PSC survivors and activists including Jamie Redford, Dr. Coach Mike Ditka, and performances by Broadway singers.

After dinner there was a live auction that was held along with my painting "Blue Steel" to help raise funds for Save Jon. Although the original painting is being loved in a great home, prints are available for sale in my store section found here. Each print sold is going to raise proceeds to the Save Jon organization. At the Gala I had the pleasure of meeting Coach Ditka who serves on the board of Save Jon in honor of his friend Walter Payton who passed away from PSC. One of this year's honoree's and former Steeler Jahine Arnold also suffers with PSC disease. He was unable to attend the event, but fortunately it was due to good reason because he had received a successful liver transplant just a week before the gala. I'm very honored to have been asked to donate my work, and proud to help raise money for Save Jon and help spread their message. To learn more about Save Jon please go to their website at www.savejon.org