The concept for this painting became real after watching the 2014 World Cup. Months later after watching Barcelona FC play in which I got the opportunity to experience Andres Iniesta perform yet again. I knew then that I needed to create his portraiture. I had other Barcelona players ahead of him but I finally capture a moment in Andres game in the impressive Camp Nou Stadium.  

Like always I am standing in front of my 50 inch HD screen, with my camera in hand and watching Andres through the lens.  I do managed to get a couple of shots off.  They weren't the best quality but through some sketching and other reference photo I came up with this pose.

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 There was a moment when the tv screen showed an image of Iniesta with his back towards the camera. Then I thought of some of my photoshoots that I've done in the past where I photographed an image of a player's back towards me. That inspired me to render Nik Lewis with his name on the back and face made visible from the one angle. 

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I always look at capturing the player in a close up pose. I want to show the detail in their facial expressions as they play their game. The intensity and the drama that they bring to the sport is what the art of sport is all about. The players face is what fans recognize and they relate to. After all if a fan of a player can't recognize their player then the painting fails. 

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As an artist / sports photographer I love to go to games and take my own personal shots. I love the idea of venturing amongst the player bench, getting close to them to listen to their strategy of their next play or listening to the roaring crowd as the game intensifies on the field. There is where the inspiration for my paintings ignite. Of course there is going to be some commissions in which I will not be able to attend a game.  In that case I have collaborated with a few well known photographers to use their images, for a price that is,  but its still not the same as going and experiencing the whole game atmosphere.

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 I am grateful for the ability to create a pose and then get the necessary equipment to help in creating the piece. The most important aspect of a sport portrait is the authenticity to the players face and the uniform that he wears. So to me having the ability to see the detail in the equipment is one thing but to have the perfect mug shot of the player is another venture in itself. I need to see the details of his face, his eyes, wrinkles in the skin, to the way the light reflects off his eyebrows. This is what gives the painting value.

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Again this jersey and any striped jersey I have done in the past has given me nothing but a great issues, if I might say.  It's not that I don't love the challenge but there was a time when I thought that maybe I should be painting  Barcelona's third jersey on him...Never the less, this challenge is one that I will always cherish. Especially when it all comes together at the end.  Working with the lines, colours, spacing, the folds, and then trying to combine everything to make it look like he is wearing it properly is something I hope I did it justice to!

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Like all my paintings I want to leave the unfinished aspect at the bottom.

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I have been getting some questions from some of the ladies in my network on why all my subjects are male. Well, I have asked some of the sports professional ladies out there in the world but none have taken me up on a project...Yet!  

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​At any World Cup tournaments or Olympics, my favourite team is Spain. Why, I really couldn't tell you only because I speak Spanish and it's always been a dream of mine for someday to go and experience the famous Camp Nou atmosphere.  I can only imagine watching a live game with the likes of Messi, Neymar Jr, Luis Suárez, Piqué or Iniesta in a stadium filled with over 99,000 cheering fans! or  Better yet to be one of the field / sideline photographers that captures each play the players make!  That would be more than awesome!!!! More than likely I would have a hard time getting off that field even after they shut the stadium lights off!

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I read a while ago that Spain is having political issues. Welcome to the club, Eh!

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​Soccer is to Spain like hockey is to Canada. People live and breathe it. For the longest time now Spain's political clashes have happened on the pitch. The most noteworthy one is over Catalonia’s independence movement.

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As I write this on May 18, 2016, Madrid's police force will be searching at this Sunday May 23rd game, the FC Barcelona fans  belongings for any Estelada flags that are used by Catalan separatists to show their support of an independent state. The game between Barcelona and Sevilla at the King's Cup or Copa del Rey in Madrid will be a scene of a political brawl. 

According to the Spanish government officials, the yellow, red-striped flag with a blue triangle and a white star in the middle of it is a “ Provocative Emblem,” or " Provocativa Emblema" and thus will be banned from being viewed in any future Barcelona sports event.

Located in the state capitol of Catalonia, FC Barcelona was annoyed by this police order, and said in a statement the move would breach the freedom of speech of its fans who will be at the match.

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​The club released this statement to the press " FC Barcelona considers the decision to be an attack on the freedom of expression, the fundamental right of each and every individual to express their ideas and opinions freely and without censorship, a right which is recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. FC Barcelona has always defended, and will continue to defend, the freedom of expression of all its members and fans, who have always displayed a high level of civility and respect." FC Barcelona....

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​Upon reading all this and adding my finishes touches to this piece,  I say,... here is to the fans of FC Barcelona, may the courts overrule the ban of the Estelada, at this and any other up and coming sports game.. It's your freedom to support your team and if that means to wave such a symbolic flag, then I'll wave it as well by placing it in my painting.

I can't help but wonder what it would be like to be in the Camp Nou Stadium in the midst of all those Catalonian fans. Not just to be a part of the football experience or to watch Iniesta perform his talent but to wave their independence flag. This is a totally different game now!!!

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That would be a unique experience don't you think!

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If you have any questions on the this or any other paintings please click 'contact' and we will be happy to provide you with any information we can.

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Thank you and I really appreciate your visit. I hope you enjoy viewing and reading about  " Iniesta "

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Joe Versikaitis

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At aged 18, Andres Iniesta began playing regularly for FC Barcelona during the 2004–05 season and has remained in the team ever since. He was an integral part of the Barcelona team that won a historic six trophies in 2009, and his 30 trophies make him the most successful Spanish footballer of all time.

​Iniesta played for Spain at the Under-16, Under-19 and Under-21 levels before making his international début in 2006. He was selected Spain's team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He is considered to be one of the best players of his generation and one of the greatest midfielders of all time.

​Iniesta was named by IFFHS as the World's Best Play maker in 2012 and 2013, and won the La Liga Spanish Player of the Year award in 2009. Iniesta has been chosen in the UEFA Team of the Year five times (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015), and has been voted into the FIFA World XI on seven occasions: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. In recognition of his outstanding performances with club and country, as well as his individual and team achievements, Iniesta received the Marca Legend Award in 2011. In 2014, he received the Golden Foot Award.

 

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