Home Run Painting

Roberto Clemente Pittsburgh Artist Painting 3000 hit — Kait in front of her 6ft x 8ft painting of Roberto Clemente

When a client comes to me and requests a commissioned painting, the typical size is usually a small to medium size, but when I was asked if I could paint Roberto Clemente 6ftx8ft, I accepted the challenge. My client Rob who wanted the massive painting wasn’t my average client. Rob is a sports FANTATIC, and has a passion and love to collect sports memorabilia. Now I could have chosen from hundreds of photos of Roberto to paint from, but Rob had a particular photo in mind. It turns out the baseball bat that Roberto is holding in the photo, my client Rob now owns.

Now this isn’t just a baseball bat that Roberto Clemente once used. That alone in itself would be special and something to adore. THIS baseball bat was the bat used for Roberto Clemente’s historic 3000th hit. Not only did I need to make sure Roberto looked incredible, but Rob really wanted to showcase the detail in the baseball bat in the painting as well.

Roberto Clemente 3000th hit Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh Artist Kait Schoeb painting

Roberto Clemente Palm beach post boca raton Rob Shelling

Overall with using acrylic paints to create this special project, it took me about two weeks to complete the massive 6ftx8ft structure. Considering I’m 5’2, to say it was challenging and physically tiresome would be an understatement, but I think we can all agree it was worth it brush stroke. In order to get this bad boy to Rob in Florida, I had to dismantle the canvas, and roll it in order to ship it safely. Once it got to Rob in Florida, not only did the local Boca Raton paper do a fun article on him owning the historic bat, but also USA Today caught wind and also did a feature on Rob with my painting. Forever grateful to a wonderful client!

Photo Credit: Matt Freed PhotographyMike Ditka receiving Kait’s print and Hall o Fame statue — Photo Credit: Matt Freed Photography
Mike Ditka receiving Kait’s print and Hall o Fame statue

After dinner was finished I had the honor of standing onstage with each of the inductees as they were announced, and gave them a print of my painting I created of them. After all of the able honorees received their induction, they sat for questions and answers. I want to thank the University of Pittsburgh for having me be apart of such a special and new tradition. I’d also like to dedicate this post in honor of the late great Bill Fralic. Bill was not able to attend the ceremony and has since past away. Thank you to the Fralic family for having me and Pitt honor his legacy.

View Kait’s Pitt Hall of Fame Paintings!

For 2 months I worked non stop around the clock, but I finished painting all 16 16x20 inch Pitt Hall of Fame paintings. I couldn’t be more proud and honored to have been able to complete such a special and once in a life time opportunity. The gala honoring the 16 inductees took place September 7th, 2018 at the Peterson Event Center. If I’m being honest, I’ve been to quite a few galas in my career and this one might have been the most absolutely breath taking one I’ve had the pleasure of attending. We started the evening off with VIP hour where guests could meet and greet the likes of Mike Ditka, Dan Marino, and the other attending inductees. Followed soon after was a gorgeous sea of gold glittered tables on the Petersen Centers Basketball Court where dinner and the ceremony was to take place.