JOIN US!
Reception with
James Fiorentino, National Baseball Hall of Fame Artist
and
Patrick McDonnell, Syndicated Cartoon Artist, Author, and Playwright
Sunday, March 24 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Please email us at info@drgreenway.org to RSVP and let us know
if you would like to attend!
You are invited to a special reception on Sunday, March 24 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm at D&R Greenway Land Trust’s Johnson Education Center at One Preservation Place, Princeton, NJ to meet and enjoy artwork by James Fiorentino, one of the most renowned watercolor artists in the country. Joining James will be syndicated cartoon artist, author and playwright, Patrick McDonnell who will share his inspiration for his popular comic strip “MUTTS.” There is no charge to attend; reservations are required at info@drgreenway.org or (609) 924-4646. Sales benefit our work to preserve and care for land, maintain public trails, grow food for the hungry, and inspire a conservation ethic.
A new visual display of local photographers’ images of D&R Greenway’s stunning preserves and events asks visitors to reflect on their own experiences on preserved land. You are invited to leave a note or drawing to illustrate your visit to a D&R Greenway preserve, making you a part of this unique exhibit.
In addition to Fiorentino’s wildlife and sports art, and McDonnell’s framed comic strips with original signature and remarque, this exhibit features popular botanical artist, Liz Cutler who retired as a long-time teacher from Princeton Day School. Patrick McDonnell will offer books for sale with personalized signature at the reception. Proceeds from art and book sales benefit D&R Greenway’s mission to preserve and protect land, and inspire a conservation ethic.
James Fiorentino is considered one of the most renowned sports artists in the country. At the age of fifteen, James was the youngest artist to be featured in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum for his likeness of Reggie Jackson, which hung beside the paintings of Norman Rockwell and Andy Warhol. His painting commemorating Roberto Clemente remains in the museum as a part of their permanent collection.
In 1994, he became the youngest artist to win Beckett Magazine’s annual sports art competition for the likeness of Hall of Fame pitcher Steve Carlton. When Beckett opened up the competition worldwide the following year, James triumphed again with a stunning collage of Muhammad Ali. When Ali saw James’ latest work of himself, the greatest said, “James, you are the greatest.”
“I am always honored to have my works displayed at D&R Greenway’s Johnson Education Center. It is one of the best spaces to showcase art and to also have an exhibition with other great artists such as my friend Patrick McDonnell making it even more special. This exhibition has some of my best works that I have been able to put down on paper in watercolor depicting nature and wildlife.”
James is a member of the New Jersey Watercolor Society, Garden State Watercolor Society, American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Salmagundi Club, Society of Animal Artists and Artists for Conservation. James is also a trustee of the Raptor Trust of NJ and D&R Greenway Land Trust. He was also honored by the State of New Jersey when they chose his watercolor depiction of the black swallowtail butterfly to officially represent the newly designated State butterfly.
Enjoy the art of all of our artists.
Liz Cutler
James Fiorentino
Patrick McDonnell
Art is for sale and sales benefit D&R Greenway Land Trust’s work
to preserve and care for land, maintain public trails,
grow food for the hungry, and inspire a conservation ethic. Information is available
at www.drgreenway.org or by calling D&R Greenway at 609-924-4646.
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About James Fiorentino
IT ALL STARTED WHEN…
James Fiorentino was born in Somerset , New Jersey in 1977 and currently resides in Hunterdon County , New Jersey with this family. Prestigious companies, galleries, museums, politicians, athletes, and entertainment personalities have commissioned James. James has had the honor of painting and meeting Yogi Berra, Cal Ripken Jr., Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Muhammed Ali, Congressman John Lewis, Buzz Aldrin, President Gorbachev, Desmond Tutu and hundreds of contemporary athletes. His artistic ability has evolved into more than just a childhood hobby. James has painted and illustrated hundreds of intricately developed works in watercolor since he was a young child. Like many artists, Fiorentino enjoyed painting at an early age; however, his talents displayed a unique maturity for someone so young. While others his age were coloring rough images, his mother Jackie noticed that he could draw fully developed anatomy at the age of three. He was recognized as a prodigy and has been prolific ever since. Included in his diverse collection are photo-realistic portraits ranging from sports figures and celebrities to everyday life, most recently adding wildlife and landscapes to his portfolio.
James is considered one of the most renowned sports artists in the country. His skill embodies a compelling sense of realism. His remarkable, realistic qualities evoke a great deal of emotion. James’ theme in every painting is the image of the human spirit. James indicates that being an artist comes naturally for him; it is as much as an act of will as it is the product of inspiration. “Sometimes, I step back and wonder if what I am painting will be rendered the way I want it to, but when I am finished, the painting looks exactly the way I imagined it.” James continued, “I don’t concentrate too much on painting a flawless image. I let my eyes and hands do the work. Just as a poet expresses himself through words, I express myself through paint. I feel fortunate to be able to use my art as a means of communication.“
At the age of fifteen, James was the youngest artist to be featured in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum for his likeness of Reggie Jackson, which hung beside the paintings of Norman Rockwell and Andy Warhol. His painting commemorating Roberto Clemente remains in the museum as a part of their permanent collection.
“Although James’ extensive portfolio resembles the like of contemporary painter Norman Rockwell, James’ paintings are more trenchant and have a candor that is almost lost in the sentiment that Rockwell emphatically displays,” said Michael Peglau, professor at Drew University and acclaimed artist. He adds, “Unlike Rockwell, James displays in his paintings sweat and grit that baseball is really about. This most likely has to do with the fact that James is not only an established painter, but is also an avid player of the game.” In fact, James was an all-state player for his high school team and was a four year starting shortstop at Drew University.
James’ watercolor paintings speak more eloquently than photographs. Each painting emanates detail and realistic imagery that comes to life right before your eyes. Unlike many watercolor painters, James stresses the fluidity of the medium while using an almost dry brush. This allows him to focus on such minute detail, giving his paintings a level of definition and detail like that of a Renaissance tempera painter. James uses a technique autonomous from traditional watercolor and a style developed on his own. In viewing his diverse collection of portraits and sports paintings, one feels as if he or she has stepped into the action of a live sports arena. James has also painted and presented many of his horse racing watercolors to the most recognized jockeys, trainers and owners in the field of racing in Saratoga, New York for over the last 15 years including legends like Todd Pletcher, Mary Lou Whitney, Jerry Bailey and Edgar Prado.
Many of James’ lithographs are part of the permanent collection in the United States Sports Academy Museum (Daphne, Alabama). James also has his work displayed at the National Basketball Hall of Fame, The National Museum of Art & Sport (NAMOS), Drew University Hall of Fame, Missouri University Football Hall of Fame, National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), President George Bush Presidential Library, Cycling Hall of Fame (New Jersey), Roberto Clemente Museum (Puerto Rico), and The Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center (New Jersey), just to name a few. His artwork has been displayed in numerous Museums including the The San Diego Museum of Natural History, The Bennington Museum, The Hiram Blauvelt Museum, The Arizona Sonara -Desert Museum, Muhammed Ali Learning Center, The Negro League Museum and Ted Williams Museum just to name a few.
In 1994 he became the youngest artist to win Beckett Magazine’s annual sports art competition for the likeness of Hall Of Fame pitcher Steve Carlton. When Beckett opened up the competition worldwide the following year, James triumphed again with a stunning collage of Muhammad Ali. When Ali saw James latest work of himself, the greatest said, “James, you are the greatest.” James’ artwork has been featured in numerous national publications and published as cover art for official commemorative programs for the 1995 Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies, Don Mattingly Day in 1997 at Yankee Stadium, 1996 Red Cross Calendar, and the 1995 and 2001-2003 covers of the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame Induction program. James was also the official artist for Cal Ripken Jr’s 2131 Consecutive Game Streak and 2632 Ending of the Streak for which he created limited edition lithographs.
As the youngest artist inducted into the prestigious New York Society of illustrators in 1998, along with Rockwell, Pyle, Wyeth, Kent, Peaks, Holland, and Fuchs. James continues to prove his achievements as a highly regarded illustrator and painter. Although James is one of America’s renowned sports illustrators, he is currently developing a collection of nature themed artworks. Review by famed Author and Curator David J. Wagner, Ph.D. James Fiorentino has had his artwork juried into exhibitions like America’s Parks, and Art and the Animal, museum tours of which I manage. The jury process for these exhibits is extremely competitive so this is no small achievement. Fiorentino has also produced an alternative body of work — portraits of sports icons and celebrities. The breadth of artwork produced by James Fiorentino reminds me of the breadth of work of America’s richest artist of the Twentieth Century, LeRoy Neiman, whose subject matter ran the gamut of sports icons, celebrities, wildlife, and much, much more. Though their painting styles differ, Fiorentino is adept, like Neiman was, at drawing, which is of course the most fundamental skill required to succeed as a figurative artist. Very few wildlife artists that I know of, can handle the human figure in convincing fashion. Fiorentino has distinguished himself as a wildlife artist with skill and versatility that positions him above the rest in this regard.
James has painted trading cards for iconic companies like Topps, Upper Deck and Kelloggs. James followed up the success of his ten baseball cards which he created for Topps Gallery Heritage in 1999 with “The Fiorentino Collection.” James created fifteen cards, over 70 paintings, of baseball, basketball, hockey, and football legends for Legends’ 2001 sports season. He also illustrated seven cards of golf legends. Two years later Upper Deck commissioned James once again to create more cards for their 2003 Upper Deck Playball Series. Modeled after the 1941 Playball series, James created over forty paintings depicting current stars, legends of that 1941 year and a tribute to Ted Williams. His latest set of cards for Topps will be released in Spring 2021.
James is a member of the New Jersey Watercolor Society, Garden State Watercolor Society, American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Salmagundi Club, Society of Animal Artists and Artists For Conservation. James is also a trustee of the Raptor Trust of NJ and D & R Greenway Land Trust.
Fiorentino has been featured on international, national and regional television, magazines, and newspapers including ABC World News Tonight with Dick Schaap, CBS This Morning, ESPN’s Baseball Magazine, ESPN Magazine, The New York Times, Fox After Breakfast, Rai Italia, NBC Good Day New York, MSG’s New York Yankee Pre-game Show, and the New York Mets television broadcast just to name a few. He has been interviewed by ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, and many affiliates throughout the country. Locally James has been featured on New Jersey 12, The Star Ledger, New Jersey Magazine just to name a few.
“My passion for the environment and animals is what drives me to do what I can
through my artwork to support this important mission to preserve land.”
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About Patrick McDonnell
Patrick McDonnell is the creator of the animal-friendly comic strip MUTTS, which has received numerous awards internationally, both for comic strip excellence and for its themes of animal protection. Charles Schulz called it “one of the best comics strips of all time.” Prior to creating MUTTS, Patrick was a freelance magazine illustrator for multiple publications, including the Russell Baker “Observer” column for The New York Times Sunday Magazine. His solo painting exhibition Side Effects: Paintings by Patrick McDonnell 2016-2021, opened at the Urban Arts Space in Columbus Ohio on August 3, 2021.
“In my comic strip MUTTS, I try to see the world through the eyes of animals. It is my firm belief that there is nothing more important than saving and preserving the natural world. D&R Greenway is a model for what can be done to keep our planet green. We are blessed by and grateful for their vital work as are all our fellow beings.”
Patrick has produced ten picture books, two of which have been adapted for the Kennedy Center stage. The Caldecott Honor-winning Me…Jane a biography of Jane Goodall) debuted in 2017 and was nominated for five Helen Hayes Awards, and The Gift of Nothing was awarded one for Best Play or Musical Adaptation. His book MUTTS Shelter Stories – Love. Guaranteed. is a collection of his shelter-themed MUTTS strips along with stories of real-life shelter adoption successes. He has collaborated on books with author Eckhart Tolle (Guardians of Being) and with poet Daniel Ladinsky (Darling, I Love You). Currently, Patrick is working with His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Heart to Heart, a book centered on the environment, animals, and compassion. It was published by HarperOne in January, 2023.
Me…Jane is currently under option agreement with Cartoon Saloon, slated to become a children’s TV series, and MUTTS is under agreement with Disney for a feature-length animation.
Patrick uses MUTTS to advocate for the environment and all animals, and to support animal welfare. Dog Fancy included McDonnell in its top 25 “Dog World Changers.” The MUTTS characters appear on New Jersey Animal Friendly license plates and in animated Public Service Announcements for the Shelter Pet Project. McDonnell was filmed for an episode of PBS’s Shelter Me, where he created shelter-themed MUTTS comic strips based on his observances while working alongside the shelter staff at the ACC of NYC.
Patrick was a member of the Board of Directors of the Humane Society of the United States for 18 years and currently serves on the boards of the Fund for Animals, the Charles M. Schulz Museum, and D&R Greenway Land Trust.
He resides in New Jersey with his wife Karen, along with their rescue dog and formerly feral cat.
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About D&R Greenway Land Trust: D&R Greenway Land Trust is an accredited nonprofit that has reached a new milestone of over 22,000 acres of land preserved throughout central New Jersey since 1989. By protecting land in perpetuity and creating public trails, it gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. The land trust’s preserved farms and community gardens provide local organic food for residents of the region—including those most in need. Through strategic land conservation and stewardship, D&R Greenway combats climate change, protects birds and wildlife, and ensures clean drinking water for future generations.
D&R Greenway’s mission is centered on connecting land with people from all walks of life. Visit our Facebook and Instagram pages and www.drgreenway.org to learn about the organization’s latest news and in-person and virtual programs. D&R Greenway Land Trust, One Preservation Place, Princeton NJ 08540. The best way to reach D&R Greenway staff is by sending an e-mail to info@drgreenway.org or by calling D&R Greenway at 609-924-4646.
