top of page
Theo 14 for Fort Mac - 2016
" Theo #14 "
This is a 22" x 28" acrylic on paper painting of Theo Fleury of the Calgary Flamesby Joe Versikaitis
The Original painting owned by Theo Fleury - 1996
214 and 14 Artist Proofs prints signed by
Theo Fleury and Joe are sold out
Thank you for your support
This all started with a long conversation with a gentleman by the name of Mike Franco - Calgary Flames sales and the painting of Trevor Kidd" Kidder". He was the one who informed me of where Trevor was going to be doing a signing in Calgary.
After my meeting with Trevor, I had taken the piece to the Saddledome to show Trevor and then Theo had seen it. Theo's first words to me were " Where is mine?"
But without having that initial conversation with Mike I don't believe any of this could of happened.
Thanks Mike!!!
So after getting back home I quickly started on my quest to get the piece done. I remember receiving slides from Bruce Bennett studios out of New York. Then my wife, my best man Mike Laux and I sat for countless hours going through different shots.
I was looking for a certain pose that I always seen Theo in. It was just before a face-off pose where he was hunched over and with the intensity in his eyes that would send shivers down the spine of his opponents.
Mike and I found a few shots that we really liked and finally decided to work with them.
The piece took 160 hours to complete. I couldn't wait to get it framed and go down to the Saddledome to show Theo.
by Joe Versikaitis
" Please go to Theo 14 for Fort Mac to view print promo"
...Joe Versikaitis
The day that I took the painting down to the Saddledome, the flames were the ice practising. I had to wait just outside of their dressing room. I put the painting down on the floor by the main entrance which was located just across from the entrance to the ice surface entrance. If you can picture this, the one side of the corridor was where I was standing and about 15 feet from the that spot is the entrance to the ice surface. Now from the entrance to the ice surface there is a walk way that goes underneath the bleachers to the players bench and ice surface.
On this particular day the flames had a couple of chairs set up in the walk way. On these cahirs there were half a dozen sticks and as the players walked by they would sign them.
​As I was standing there waiting for Theo to come off the ice, there was this racket coming from the walk way. Then I heard the chairs and those stick being hit or kicked or something. Then there was this big burly guy that came through the entrance to the ice surface and what he did next was just buffling. All you could hear was this swearing before the sticks went flying and then this guy , all I remember was his #6 comes in, stops, and stares at me and at the same time fixes his eyes on the painting of Theo. He looks back up at me to ask " Did you do that?" Then in a high pitched voice all I could mustard was " Yes!" I thought the this Tasmanian Devil just came through the doors and now he is admireing my art work.........cool!
Anyways he was pretty pissed off cause as soon as he walked by me and walked down the hall to their dressing room. Then landing on the corridor hall floor, came the blade of his stick that he just smashed up against the wall. Well that was interesting!
Once Theo came through and seen the piece he seemed delighted to see it. We talked about the process on what to do with the painting and hashed out a deal to get prints made. The rest is history.
I would like to thank Mike Franco and Theo Fleury for the great opportunty and memories. I really appreciate every minute we spent together.
Theoren Fleury was a recipient of a 2013 Indspire Award in the Sports category. During the dedication to Fleury my painting " Theo #14 " was brought up on the big screen and in front of million Canadians. It's one of those things that made me appreciate what I was doing in life with my artwork.
Joe Versikaitis
This is a 1996 picture of Theo Fleury and myself after spending 5 hours of signing prints. There was 214 prints and 14 Artist Proofs signed.
" Theo 14 " - This edition of prints are Sold Out
Thank you for your support
When I lived in Brooks I used to create the cartoons for a weekly newspaper called " The Paper ". I did this cartoon when the Sheldon Kennedy story broke.
The title of the cartoon is " Justice "...Graham James goes to jail to find buddy waiting for him with some cookies, a glass of milk, and flowers....
Oh yeah you can't miss the lipstick and the I Love Men tattoo...
But first check out " The Making of Theo #14 "
Here's how it was done and in a few seconds this Flash presentation will appear. So please wait for the film to load....
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.
Thank you and I really appreciate your visit. I hope you enjoy viewing and reading about " Theo #14 ".
Joe Versikaitis
​
Theo and Joe go One on One - Garth Hordenchuk - The Paper - Brooks, Alberta - December 16, 1996
​
I was in awe as I witnessed two professionals, each at the top of their game, share an experience that will last a lifetime.
On December 9, the Calgary Flames Theoren Fleury and local sports artist Joe Versikaitis met at Sundog Printing Company in Calgary so Theo could autograph Joe's latest work of art " Theo 14" a 22 x 28 acrylic on paper painting. The limited edition print is a portrait of Theo in a game situation preparing to take a face off.
​
There is a bit of tention in the room as 4:pm rolled around and Theo hadn't shown up yet. His press agent, Ryan Griffin was there and explained that with the Flames recent loosing streak there have been a lot of extra team meetings.
​
" The captain has been down and isn't taking loosing very well." To kill time Joe tried to cover his nervousness by making sure everything was just perfect. He straightened the same stack of prints about ten times.
At 4:10pm Theo showed and his own nervousness as displayed, equaled that of Joe's. As Theo walked into the room he spotted the original work of art which as part of the business transaction, would be histo keep. The anticipation in his face immediately turned to approval as Joe's face went from worry to relief.
​
"Wow! That's fantastic! It looks great!"
" You like it then?" Versikaitis asked.
" Yeah, the detail is incredible! It really looks just like me!"
​
The work of art is a colourful hand painted original done with a mixed media of acrylic and pastels. The 214 limited edition numbered prints are 16 x 22. There are also 14 artists proofs available.Each print is numbered and signed by the artist and his subject.
" Theo #14 " is the second in series of Calgary Flames players that Joe has painted. The first was " Kidder#37", a print which is still available at local art stores or directly from from Versikaitis. " Kidder #37" features Calgary Flames goaltender Trevor Kidd.
​
Joe has painted Bill Ranford when he was with the Edmonton Oilers and hall of fame netminder Ken Dryden was Joe's sudject in a drawing called " Dryden #29". Although bothe of these works were autographed by the NHLers, neither has been presented for sale like " Theo #14" and " Kidder #37".
As the signing of the 214 prints took place, the conversation was light and casual between Joe, Theo, Josh - Theo's son who was along for the experience.
The autograph session was often interrupted so the two men could pose for photographs.
​
A very special moment came when Theo volunteered to pose for a shot with Joe and his family - wife Michele, son Miguel and daughter Jericka. The more Theo looked at the art as he was signing it the more impressed he became with the detail.
​
" I like this because he got my 5'oclock shadow and that doesn't happen very often."
" The gloves! They're incredible! and the folds in the sweater! I can't imagine painting folds in a sweater. How much training have you had Joe?"
" Just junior High and High School art clasess."
​
Joe gives a lot of his credit for his ability to Mahen Patel, who he refers to as " his life long art Teacher."
​
" You can tell Im missing a tooth without painting it, just by the wrinkle in my lip." Theo said.
​
A neat transformation took place in that print shop in Calgary. Theo Fleury was in awe of Joe Versikaitis and his talent.
This was obvious when Josh asked his dad how can people learn to do that. Theos response " You don't learn it, it's a skill, a talent and a gift."
​
with each commentTheo looked at the framed original and you could seethat although he liked the prints he took great pride in ownership of the original that would hang in his home.
​
So here was one of the greatest hockey player in the world sharing his experiences like winning the Stanley Cupor scoring from behind the net by banking it off Bill Ranfords head, an old Gretzky trick with our own local sports artist Joe Versikaitis. The Venezuelan born artist was living his dream to become an NHL artist.
​
True professionals are humbled by their own accomplishments while respecting the achievements of others who have excelled. I was fortunate enough to witness two true professionals showing each other the respect they both desrve.
​
" Theo #14" is a vailable at Avenida Art Gallery in Calgary and right here in Brooks at Frameways or Photographs by Drake.
Garth Hordenchuk - The Paper
Photograph of Theo used in this painting was taken by Bruce Bennett Studios, New York City.
All works are under the Canadian Copyrights Law. Any reproduction in part or whole without the written consent is strictly prohibited
bottom of page