A Triple-Double for Coach
Norm Stewart and Jon Mueller
How I used graphic design, watercolor, and collage to create a work of art featuring the legendary Mizzou basketball coach Norm Stewart.
In 2020 Covid left most of the country working from home and dramatically reduced the amount of activities available to us. I utilized this time to work on bringing to life a few watercolor ideas I had conceptualized. My artwork is almost always a reflection of my passions. I’m primarily drawn to making portraits of people. I’ve painted many friends, family members, athletes, and next on my list was a coach who inspired me and embodies the history and legacy of Mizzou basketball - Norm Stewart.
I began the process by searching for photos of Norm Stewart online that I could use as the primary reference for the artwork. However, I didn’t want this painting to just be a portrait of Norm. I wanted to add more context to the artwork and help tell the story of Norm’s legacy at Mizzou. In order to do that I started scrolling through the Savitar, the University of Missouri’s student yearbook. I paged through decades of stories saving screen shots of photos, articles, and headlines that I could use to tell Norm’s story. Next, I printed out the articles and began tearing them so they resembled old newspaper clippings. I then scanned the torn clippings and began the process of arranging them in Photoshop to visualize how the finished artwork would come together. My graphic design experience came in handy here as I positioned the pieces to make a balanced and visually interesting composition. Once the digital collage was completed I moved on to sketching the Norm portrait on paper and then layering watercolor washes from light to dark until I achieved a realistic portrait. Next I adhered the cutout Savitar paper clippings and added more watercolor washes and gold paint to highlight specific text from Norm’s legacy. I completed the artwork in December 2020.
Each year my high school alma mater, Christian Fellowship School (CFS), holds an event in March to raise money for the school. For my contribution each year I donate a watercolor print for the live auction. In 2021, I donated a print of my recently completed Norm Stewart artwork. During the CFS fundraiser it was announced that Norm Stewart would personally sign the print if it sold for more than $1,000. Sure enough the print sold for over that amount. I was thrilled by this because it also meant I would get the opportunity to meet Norm and have him sign the original artwork along with the print that was auctioned off at the gala.
Months went by without an update from CFS as to when we might be able to meet up with Norm for the signing. I was beginning to think it might not happen and I had somewhat given up on the idea. Then one day I got an email from CFS with an update that Norm could meet us that afternoon around 2pm to sign the artwork. I knew I had to drop whatever I was doing so I wouldn’t miss out on this opportunity. I rushed over to the local art store, Michaels, in search of the perfect marker for Norm to add his signature. I tried out several options and headed for the checkout knowing I had to get across town soon. I arrived at Norm’s house and there he was on the front porch waiting to greet us. Norm, in typical fashion, filled the time with a few classic stories and then took some pictures with me after the signing. It was definitely a memory I’ll never forget.
Check out my shop to order prints or apparel featuring the Norm Stewart artwork.
