Kait Paints for PITT Pt2

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.

Photo Credit: Adam Michaels Photography

All 16 of Kait’s Pitt Hall of Fame Paintings are on display in the Lobby of the Petersen Event Center in Pittsburgh

Scroll below to view the photos of the 16 Hall of Fame paintings along with the Hall of Fame Gala

Copyright Adam Michaels Photography

Kait Paints For Cancer Research

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 Makes The List of Pittsburgh's 50 Finest!

Read About Kait's Newest Honor and Goal to Raise Money for Cystic Fibrosis

This year I'm extremely grateful to be chosen as an honoree for Pittsburgh's 50 Finest and help raise funds to help extend the lives of people living with Cystic Fibrosis. For the next 6 months I'll be taking donation, hosting a few happy hour events and auctioning off some of my artwork to raise funds. I've donated to dozens of non profits and looking forward to adding to the fundraising for The Cystics Fibrosis Foundation. With your help and donations along with me donating my time and artwork we'll be one step closer to finding a cure and helping people and children who desperately need it. People with a life expectancy up to age 5 are now living into their 40's and the number continues to rise thanks to your help. I look forward to these next 6 months of fundraising and representing the city of Pittsburgh!

Thanks for your support and helping me reach my goal this summer! If you'd like to donate money or items for auction and also learn more about Cystic Fibrosis please go to www.pgh50finest.finestcff.org/kaitschoeb