September 30, 2006 Tom Gentis was recently commissioned by Florida Marlins owner Jeffery Loria to paint a portrait of Anibal Sanchez. This portrait was done in commeration of Sanchez's no-hit game that he pitched on September 6, 2006. Tom presented the portrait to him at Dolphin Stadium on September 30, 2006 during a pre-game ceremony. Pictured left to right is Anibal Sanchez - Pitcher, David Samson - Marlins President, and Tom Gentis.

January 6, 2005 Tom Gentis’ painting “Return of the Giant” has been selected for inclusion in a celebrated Sports Art Show currently traveling the country honoring renowned Baseball Hall of Fame member, Willie Mays. Tom’s work was selected from a multitude of entries submitted by prominent sport artists across the nation. Fans of this legendary New York-San Francisco Giants’ superstar have long regarded Mays as “Baseball’s Greatest Living Player”. Mays will be turning 75 this year. The first stop for this Sports Art Show will be the famous Louisville Slugger Museum located in Louisville, Kentucky. The exhibit will run from January 10 to March 25, 2006.

October 18, 2005 Tyler Blount Memorial Foundation A “Tom Gentis Portrait Unveiling” and Reception was held at the Tyler Blount Memorial Foundation Conference Center, in Guthrie, Oklahoma on October 18, 2005. Tom was commissioned by the Foundation to create seven unique pieces of original artwork to capture Tyler Blount in recognition of special moments of his life and the sport he loved so much. The original art will be on permanent display at the Conference Center. For additional information on the Tyler Blount Memorial Foundation, please visit www.tylerblountmemorialfoundation.com.   "Tyler Blount Paintings" (click for larger picture)

Art Reception Pictured are left to right: Patrick Blount-Director, Tom Gentis-Artist, Dr. Marvin Burns-Dean, School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Langston University, Tom Ward-Props West.

April 2, 2005

Library displays Legends of Summer

The Legends of Summer are on display in the Reading Room Gallery of the Norman Public Library, 225 N. Webster in downtown Norman. The exhibit by Norman artist Tom Gentis features portraits of members of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

Images of such legendary players as Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Johnny Bench are assembled into a collage of twenty portraits for the exhibit which will be on display at the library through May. Gentis did the acrylic portraits as a tribute to the great players of the game.

"There are more than 250 members in the Hall of Fame. I guess not to place favor on some and not others, I have approximately 230 more paintings to complete!" says Gentis, owner of Cold Coffee Studio in Norman.

Gentis has degrees in photography and art and has been painting for 30 years. He says his subject matter comes from being an avid baseball fan.
While he works primarily with human and figurative painting, he specializes in Sports Art. “The Legends of Summer”, is sponsored by Oklahoma Sports Museum in Guthrie and also Mr. Charles “Butch” Wood, Waddell & Reed, Financial Services of Edmond Oklahoma.

Baseball players Andy Pettitte and Randy Johnson have portraits by Gentis in their private collections. He was recently commissioned by the Oklahoma Sport Museum to provide an original painting in honor of the Five Heisman Trophy winners that are from the State of Oklahoma. The work is now on permanent display to compliment the Heisman Trophy Exhibit in the museum.

For more information about Gentis and his work, log on to http://www.coldcoffeestudio.com

January 11, 2003

The Oklahoman Newspaper - Illustration earns artist museum post
2003-01-11
By Darl DeVault
Special Correspondent

GUTHRIE -- Norman sports artist Tom Gentis was recently selected as the Oklahoma Sports Museum associate artist after submission of his illustration of Major League Baseball pitcher Randy Johnson.

The 2-foot-by-3-foot painting titled "Ace of Diamonds" depicts the Arizona Diamondback pitcher. It also showcases Johnson winning his fourth-straight Warren Spahn Award. Oklahoma's official sports museum in Guthrie has presented the award to the best left-handed pitcher in the big leagues since 1999.

The painting commemorates Johnson's selection as the 2002 award winner and Oklahoman Warren Spahn's status as the winningest pitcher since 1930 and the winningest lefty ever. The painting also depicts the award, a 2-foot-2-inch bronze statue of Spahn, that will be presented to Johnson by Spahn at a gala banquet at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Masonic Temple Center in Guthrie.

"We are thrilled to have someone of Tom Gentis' talent level get involved with the museum," said Richard Hendricks, Oklahoma Sports Museum executive director. "His world-class depictions of athletes and his ability to bring the focus of his painting to life will enhance our mission to honor the rich athletic heritage of Oklahoma."

Gentis, 49, has been drawing and painting since early childhood. After earning degrees in both art and photography, he has worked as a commercial photographer, studio manager and college art instructor.

In 1996, Gentis combined his talent for art with his love of sports to open a sports-art studio in Norman and now maintains a Web site at http://www.coldcoffeestudio.com.

He specializes in creating photorealistic-quality sports art. He strives to convey the spirit and excitement of sports to the viewer by capturing its intense energy, vivid colors and realism.

His award-winning art is exhibited in sports venues, galleries and private collections.

"After seeing all the fabulous athletes honored by displays and exhibits at the museum, I am proud to offer my painting," Gentis said. "I look forward to doing more art for the museum for special events and displays."

In his role as associate artist, Gentis will provide the museum with original paintings of professional and Olympic athletes, coaches, and teams with Oklahoma ties.

Featured article at NewsOK.com.

December 7, 2002

Tom will be participating, once again, in the 2nd Annual “STANDING ROOM ONLY” event held in Norman, Oklahoma on December 7, 2002. This event is sponsored by the Art Group 4D4 and the Downtown Art District. The Green Door Mercantile, located at 223 E. Gray St., will host Tom all day on Saturday where he will be displaying some of his recent work. He will also have his easel set up and be giving a live painting demonstration. Other area artists will also be participating in surrounding stores that day.

October 28, 2002

Tom has been selected as "Associate Artist of the Oklahoma Sports Museum". In this role, Tom will provide a variety of original paintings depicting athletes, coaches and teams with Oklahoma ties.

The Oklahoma Sports Museum, located in Guthrie, Oklahoma, is officially recognized by the State Legislature as Oklahoma’s "official sports museum". Athletes, who were born in Oklahoma, have resided in Oklahoma, or attended a college or universities in Oklahoma, who have attained professional or Olympic status are eligible. Also, teams representing Oklahoma in National Championships and outstanding coaches are recognized.

Tom is currently working on a portrait of Arizona Diamondback Randy Johnson. The portrait is being done in commemoration of Johnson receiving the coveted “Warren Spahn Award”. This award, which honors the best left-handed pitchers in Major League Baseball, will be presented to Randy Johnson on January 16, 2003 in Guthrie. For more information concerning the Warren Spahn Award Banquet, can contact the Oklahoma Sports Museum at 405-260-1342 or visit them on the web at www.oklahomasportsmuseum.com.

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