North Huntingdon artist Cody Sabol featured on SI.com
From their smiles and expressions to their in-game flair, Cody Sabol brings out the best in Pittsburgh sports greats through his paintings.
The fast-rising, 24-year-old artist who graduated from Norwin has crafted stunning portraits of James Conner, Ben Roethlisberger, Sidney Crosby and many others.
A speed-painter who also works as a preacher, Sabol’s passion for art recently was framed in an article by SI.com, on the website’s AllSteelers page.
His live speed-painting shows have been at large and small venues, but Sabol never disappoints with his ability to render someone’s likeness in less than 10 minutes.
Some of his more comprehensive pieces can take a few days to finish.
“I remember watching the 2008 Super Bowl with my grandfather at his house, and I remember specifically Larry Fitzgerald catch ‘that’ pass (the one Fitzgerald scored on late in the game),” Sabol told SI.com. “That last 2:36, watching it with my grandfather, who passed last year, that’s the memory I’ll have forever. … The power of sports is it brings people together for the good times and bad times. When I miss my grandfather a lot, I think about the times we watched sports together.”
? Sports Illustrated: Painters Edition!!! ?
Humbled and honored to be interviewed by one of the all-time greatest sports outlets!
— Cody Sabol (@Cody_Sabol) July 10, 2020
Sabol attended Kentucky Christian University and played football there, but following a group of musicians and painting during their shows launched his hobby.
“Once I started, I never really stopped,” he said. “It just got better over time and now it’s been five years since I did my first live-painting with them. … It’s a very unique story because that’s not really how any artist starts out. I’ve always been drawing and doing things like that, but just as a hobby. One day it was just like ‘Hey, let’s see what we can do with this.’”
He painted former Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Josh Harrison and later, Steelers defensive end Cam Hayward in his “early days.”
He formed numerous relationships with pro athletes through a few brush strokes and some ambition. He even has painted custom cleats for NFL players. Sabol just finished a pair for the Pirates’ Cole Tucker.
A gallery appears on his website.
SI.com asked the humble Sabol if he had “made it” as an artist.
“I’ve always thought that once you felt like you made it, you would just feel differently,” he said. “Almost like you get off stage or you hand a painting to Sidney Crosby and someone pulls you through a trap door and says ‘Hey man you finally made it, congratulations!’ The more you do it, you realize it’s all about the work. … You want to be thankful for the opportunities that you’ve been given, but by no means is it a time for you to bask in your own glory. … I think the whole I’ve made it thing slows down the drive for you to get better at what you’re doing.”
Incredibly honored to create this career legacy painting for Chris Kunitz. Shipping it out to him tomorrow! @penguins pic.twitter.com/jVI2NcoBp6
— Cody Sabol (@Cody_Sabol) July 15, 2020
✊?✊?✊?✊?Honored to paint these cleats for @cotuck ✊?✊?✊?✊? pic.twitter.com/7TuW3gnKyo
— Cody Sabol (@Cody_Sabol) July 8, 2020
?@_bigben7 ? pic.twitter.com/9YlP4eIdmy
— Cody Sabol (@Cody_Sabol) July 4, 2020
Me and my friends pic.twitter.com/U6K3mEWRnE
— Cody Sabol (@Cody_Sabol) June 19, 2020
I loved this painting but PLEASE do not be fooled. This is ACTUALLY James in the picture. I know we’re so similar in body type and jawline. pic.twitter.com/st6mtpDKX4
— Cody Sabol (@Cody_Sabol) June 8, 2020
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
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