On Saturday night, my wife and I went across the street to a neighbor’s house for drinks and dinner.  The husband and I, we found, had a lot of things in common.  We are both die-hard NY Rangers fans, love to cook, attended boarding schools in New England and the most exciting common trait – is that we both have played/play the sport of lacrosse!  When that topic came up, we stopped talking about our professional/work lives, and how we have raised both of our kids at this point, etc., etc. – and just started talking about LAX!  Ever since I became a parent, LAX is one thing that has lessened in my life, thus far.  As the lacrosse “war stories” came rolling on, he told me to wait and he ran down into his basement.  Upon his return, he held in his hand a dyed STX Turbo lacrosse stick, with the town Pelham dyed on the lip, strung in a mesh “Ulman” pocket and fixed on a white, aluminum shaft.  The pocket was a bit shallow – due to a quick feed and/or release.  And unlike today, the head was not off-set – it was a straight level.  With no “U-channels” or “Power-V pockets” in his stick, I was reminded to a much more difficult time.  Honestly, I’m glad to see the new stick/pocket rules in today’s game.

I clearly remember the “Ulman Sporting Goods Company” back in my days of playing (i.e. the 1990′s).  They had a specific style of running nylon strings vertically in the mesh, creating a tracking system of some sort.  Those tracking-nylons were “fastened” with a plastic covering, that protected it from wear and tear.  This was pretty new considering the top string of the mesh pockets, back then, was leather.  The interesting thing was that during my time spent at the Johns Hopkins Blue Jay Lacrosse Camp in the summer of ’93, one of my teammates was Clay Ulman, whose father, Jim, owned the Ulman Sporting Goods Company.  Having his son on my team meant free, random equipment items and a team pizza party at the Ulman store.

Seeing the STX Turbo again, made me realize how much I have missed playing the sport on a regular basis.  On the way back to our house that night, my wife suggested that I highly consider getting back to playing come spring time!

Win! Win!

STX Turbo. Ulman mesh stringing.

The product in focus.

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Enter Steve Costabile.

I remember seeing the Connecticut area code appear on my cell phone when the first call of inquiry was made.  I thought it was the alumni office of my New-England boarding school, South Kent School, informing me about an upcoming event in NYC.  But when the person on the other line mentioned that his son was currently a member of the Duke Men’s Lacrosse team, my attention span firmed up right away.  When the parent on the phone confirmed his name, Steve Costabile, father of CJ Costabile, I did about 5 “mental back-flips” but remained professional on the line.   I probably asked more questions about CJ’s playing career, than Steve asking questions that were art related, to me.  We discussed the details of what he was envisioning for CJ’s gift, and thought a picture of him taking a shot on goal, would be the fitting.  As a goalie, shots taken by poles were the hardest to read, and SAVE.

I was under strict orders NOT to expose this until after Memorial Day weekend.  When the piece was done and turned in at the middle of April, it was hard to keep it “under the radar”.  Until now.

The following photos display the development stages behind “CJ Costabile”:

The graphite foundation...

Inking the features...

Helmet, jersey, gloves...

shorts, legs, jersey number... etc.

a few more details...

Filling the image up...

Got to have the stick made...

I used a partial shot of the piece as a Welcome/Homepage for The Art of Lax™ site.

As the little things started to make up the big picture, it was time to add the signature lines depicting the movement and motion in CJ’s shooting form.  CJ’s father, Steve Costabile, was very adamant that the motion lines had to be in there.  According to him, the style of having motion was a definite reason in getting a custom piece done for CJ.

The finished piece of "CJ Costabile"

Like ANY other custom order projects, I had a great time doing this.  I also had a great time communicating with Steve Costabile via email or phone, getting to know him and talking about his numerous trips on the road with his wife, Doreen, watching both CJ and his brother, Nick (currently, a goalie at SUNY-Cortland).  Once the piece was finished, Steve Costabile drove into NYC to pick up the piece from me, not wanting to risk it being lost, or damaged by any of the delivery services (USPS, FedEx, UPS).  I didn’t blame him!  It was great to meet in person.

I feel very honored to have done a custom order for an National Champion and a 2012 Tewaaraton Trophy finalist.

The 2010 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Final:

The following photos were taken during my weekend at the 2010 NCAA Final Four of Lacrosse in Baltimore, MD.

Hawking The Art of Lax™ "Crank" t-shirts from the trunk of my car in the parking lot. It's called Entrepreneurship... whatever it takes!

Duke and Notre Dame facing off... CJ at the X.

Coach Danowski and Duke players talking things over...

We're about to head into OT...

Duke players rushing the field right after CJ's goal!

Post-game pic of me and my view from my "nosebleed" seats in 2010.

Misc/Extra:

Vid of CJ’s winning goal in OT to take the 2010 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse title:

Just before kick-off of the “Big Game” tonight… log onto Lacrosse Talk Radio as the host will interview The Art of Lax™ discussing the starting points, current works and goals for the business at 5:22pm EST.

http://lacrossetalkradio.com/radioshow.htm

During my early years in boarding school, there was at one point 4 goalies on the varsity level (!!) – I was that 4th goalie.

The coaches noticed the amount of “extra players” and would at times ask the extra goalies to pick up either a “shorty” or a “pole” and get in a practice scenario.  Coach made me pick up a “pole” and get on a man-down unit or a wing play as an LSM.  It made me understand the defensive unit as a whole but on a personal level, it gave me the chance to display the “things” that I wanted my close-defensemen to do when I got the chance to step in the goal.  I kept the habits clean and very simple.  I never “chased the stick” as I realized that the “poke-check” was one of the MOST overlooked and annoying thing that got under my opponent’s skin.  Why try to get the “homerun” check when the gloves and forearms are actually part of the opponent’s stick?  If an opponent was good at “hiding their stick” then what was exposed was their body to take, esp. a few “jabs” at the opponents ribcage disguised as a forehand hold!

Coach used me on a regular basis as an LSM and/or close-defenseman on a man-down unit.  Like I said, I learned a lot, but I was more eager to get a chance in goal.  But that is another story to come.

Senior year in goal vs. The Salisbury School.  Sophmore year playing LSM/Close-D against The Hotchkiss School.

The following new artwork for the defensive theme:

“LSM” -pen & ink.

“On the Prowl” -pen & ink.

“Guardian 2″ -pen & ink.

I’ve been postponing arthroscopic surgery on my knee for so long that every year I debate it, due to my doctor telling me that I would be on crutches or walking with a cane for a quite a bit of time.  But who knows, if I do, maybe one day I’ll get out the STX Excalibur, on a titanium pole, that still sits in my parents place to this day!

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Misc:

Prior to all this was getting the chance to piece together and design the promotional card for our host, Thailand Lacrosse. Discussing with their team leader, Payu Nernchamnong, we went back & forth on concepts and tweaking little details here and there. The final result came out to this card.

Thailand Lacrosse has it also on their blog:
http://thailand.laxallstars.com/captains-log-vol-4-never-stop/

I’m very happy to see the final product for the event and to open up a different network in international lacrosse and for both brands to succeed and grow — The Art of Lax™ and Thailand Lacrosse.

I get questions like that often – esp., in my hometown of NYC! But I remember one time back in boarding school, I was outside the 30th St. Train Station in Philadelphia with my lacrosse equipment in hand when a stranger inquired,

“Oh, that’s the sport you play with a horse, correct?”

I rolled my eyes and giggled a bit and told him, “that’s Polo and this is Lacrosse.” Fast-forward to today, I googled “Lacrosse” and found on wikipedia “Polocrosse” and below is the picture of what came up. I guess that person in Philly (15 years ago) was correct.

You really LEARN SOMETHING EVERYDAY!

My plan was to be simple, clean & DIRECT – just like the D.I.’s in the Marines. Improvise, Adapt & Overcome.

The Art of Lax™ is officially a global business as of February 2011 partnering with  Northern Soul Sportswear Ltd., as the exclusive retailer in the United Kingdom and the European Union.  Developing such working-relationships TAKE TIME.  Looking back at the road in creating a global-working relationship, all I can say is it was very UNPREDICTABLE – especially the starting line.

“We must go beyond textbooks, go out into the bypaths and untrodden depths of the wilderness and travel and explore and tell the world the glories of our journey.” John Hope Franklin (Historian. Professor. Author, ‘From Slavery to Freedom’. 1915-2009)

After developing a good base through social networks (Facebook & Twitter) and meeting at the 2010 U.S. Lacrosse Convention in Baltimore, I pitched the Fit 2 Win Sportswear company (based in the area) an idea to collaborate on a creative idea.  I told them that the next time I was heading down to Baltimore was for the 2010 Men’s Final Four of Lacrosse and Walter Pennington, who heads Fit 2 Win’s marketing, graciously agreed to make time to meet.

It was Memorial Day 2010 and a sweltering 90+ degrees.  I brought with me a dossier of printed examples of my best selling piece “Crank” on paper as well as on two, cotton t-shirts to their headquarters, not too far from the venue of the Final Four – M&T Bank Stadium. Walter takes me around the facility, showing me the boxes, stacks and shelves filled with the great amount of product that makes up Fit 2 Win Sportswear.  It’s a “gym-rats” dream come true!  Unbeknownst to me, I find two representatives for Team Wales, Jason Perrin and Mike Black, who are in discussion with the Welsh National Lacrosse Team being outfitted by Fit 2 Win for the upcoming 2010 ILF World Games of Lacrosse in Manchester, England.  Walter makes the introduction and we trade off our lacrosse backgrounds, among other things.  He also includes me as the artist behind The Art of Lax™ and the direct response comes from Mike Black’s voice,

“Oh yeah, I’ve seen and read about the work.”

Hearing that response reinforces the positive of “knowing you’re doing something right”.  We stand overlooking boxes of Fit 2 Win’s brilliant collection of National-themed shirts for the World Games and Walter is very generous to let me choose one.  With my Fit 2 Win United States Lacrosse shirt in hand, Walter and I come to the table, trading off our ideas and forecasts between Fit 2 Win and The Art of Lax™.  The meeting is a good one and I leave behind one of two “Crank” t-shirts with Walter along with the printed examples in a binder for a future meeting.

“You MISS 100% of the shots you NEVER take.” – Wayne Gretzky

Jason Perrin and I are left sitting on an office couch waiting for Walter to finish things up before we make our way to M&T Bank Stadium.  We discuss the lacrosse industry in the United States and overseas and dissect our views and opinions as players and business professionals.  For some reason our topic turns to possibly getting The Art of Lax™ exhibited and sold at the 2010 ILF World Games of Lacrosse through a company spearheaded by his father, Clive Perrin, called Northern Soul Sportswear Ltd. based in the United Kingdom.  I knew that this was a personal goal at some point for The Art of Lax™ and if this was the road getting the artwork into the World Games of Lacrosse, I HAD to explore it.  As we were “clock-watching” to make the championship game between Notre Dame and Duke, Jason and I exchange final ideas for immediate action steps to take once we return to our respective home locations.  On a torn piece of paper, he writes and hands me his email address.  In return, I give him the last remaining “Crank” t-shirt to take back “across the pond”.

“Carpe Diem” Horace – Qunitus Horatius Flaccus (Roman philosopher, 65 BC – 8 BC)

On June 1, 2010, I received an email from Jason’s father, Clive (the owner of Northern Soul) mentioning Jason “…wearing one of your tees today”.  He concluded with Northern Soul Sportswear being very interested in “…trailing some of your art and apparel here in the UK and EU.”  Upon receipt of the exciting news, I stepped out of my office in midtown-Manhattan and “circled” the Empire State Building a few times with a proud feeling of accomplishment and wonder what responsibilities were to come.  The great people you meet from the sport of lacrosse always amaze me, and when they understand your vision it makes you want to do more.  I look forward to the possibilities with Walter, Jason and Clive and their respective brands.

I’m not a fan of the words “luck” or “got lucky” but I think another Roman philosopher once said,

“Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” Seneca (54 BC – 39 AD)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQtmGcdSDAI&w=640&h=390]

Wait, forget that line!

I’ve been working late (a bit past midnight), drawing some female lacrosse players to be exact.  A few emails and a Twitter Direct Message or “DM” prompted my decision to take action.

“Do you plan to make more girls art anytime soon? I need a few things for my daughters in time for Christmas.” -Heather (CA)

“I just saw it on Twitter and looks like one of my players I coach.  Can I buy it on your site?” -Susan (FL)

It’s been a while since I’ve done some female lacrosse art and after some emails from customers asking for such images, I decided to dedicate a week to produce three pieces.  Due to the absence of equipment (no helmets, pads, etc.) drawing the female lacrosse athlete is much easier and less time consuming than the male side.  I’m also reminded that the female version of the game highly resembles the original, Native-American version as well (sans the brutal body contact/checking!).  As I study the drawings, my respect towards the the female aspect(s) of the game grows.

I announce on twitter that they are “avail. for purchase”.  A few hours later, my blackberry sounds off.  Google Checkout tells me it is Susan (from Florida) and she just purchased one of each.

Looks like I got some more work to do tonight.

“You can do anything, but not everything!” – David Allen (author).

I agree to take them on and hypothetically forecast that [it] can be DONE – all the projects!  I clear my schedule.  It is when I start, that I don’t realize how much time, patience or focus I have.  Do I want to stay up ’til 2am again working on a piece(?), knowing I have to wake up 4 hours later to start my day!

“I knew stuff like this is HARD… but not this HARD!”

Tired, exhausted – you name it.  The projects are on-going but I’m learning to multitask and use my time correctly.  X-amount of hours later, x-amount of days after, each project is done – mailed, UPS’ed, FedEx’ed… whichever.

“Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of VICTORY.” – Gen. George S. Patton

Positive feedback from customers come in email form.  I’m excited to complete more.  Is it worth it? – staying up late on the weeknights… staying in on a Friday and/or Saturday night… constantly perfecting your craft… growing your brand.  Those are some of the things that make it HARD, but in truth, HARD – is how you look and/or make it.  It defines us as individuals.

I started this entry with a line from a movie about baseball – yes, baseball… the rival, spring-seasoned sport of lacrosse.  Not one of my favorite movies, but has one of my favorite actors – Tom Hanks, in “A League of Their Own”.  I conclude with this scene from the movie.  Pay close attention to the last line!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndL7y0MIRE4&fs=1&hl=en_US]