Excellence in art, like sports, results from practice and the ability for thought and execution to occur simultaneously. I enjoy and admire excellence when I see it in another form. Sports has been one of my loves since childhood, so it was natural that I would make athletes subjects of my work. As fans know, 1994 was not the year to start a major series for baseball. However, my work for the Orioles led to further commissions of special players and events in NHL, NFL, college lacrosse, and gone-but-not-forgotten childhood heroes. I welcome the opportunity to be made aware of excellence in all sports by continuing to accept commissions.