First off, can you let me know how you get start in your art work?
I went to school for graphic design and got some short jobs afterwards. But it wasn’t working for me, which I guess was a blessing. After I got laid off I started honing in on my art skills – I was always into being an artist since high school but I always wanted to be better than I thought I was.
I had a lot of support along the way, looking back on it. At the beginning I just wasn’t satisfied with my work. I started off doing portraits of Steelers – the first was one of Myron Cope and the Terrible Towel – I did that for my husband. After that I did one of Big Ben.
How did that work make its way into something more?
I started taking my work to craft shows and got good feedback, so I continued on that journey. I went to Mississippi where they had a big Steelers fan base, and the Steelers fan club there was really supportive and introduced me to some people. I connected with a huge Steelers fan club in Heidelberg, Germany as well through Facebook, and they convinced us to go to Germany for a week and show my artwork there. We visited a pub there that was recognized by the Rooney family.
That was an amazing experience, to go to Germany and be able to do that. It was mind-blowing to get to that point and see that support.
So from there you get recognized by the NFL…how?
I kept putting myself out there and did anything people asked me to do. I didn’t think I was good enough but I did work for some charities and those charities got bigger – that got me more recognition. I think the NFL recognized me after I did work for the Deacon Jones Foundation.
And you got further ingrained with the players as well?
It started off small. In Chantilly, Virginia I showed up for the Steelers fan club there and they took me under their wing and introduced me to Joey Porter and Jack Lambert. They pushed me to do more and were behind me.
I had also done work for the Penguins Foundation – I worked with Wendell August there – and I think that got me more notoriety as well. That’s when Mr. Rooney reached out. He wanted to purchase some of my artwork for his collection.
That must have been shocking?
I couldn’t believe it. His secretary left me a message asking me to bring in my artwork for him to look at – that he was interested in purchasing something made for him that he could use to share with his family and friends. He sends postcards of his artwork every year to his friends and family and wanted to use something of mine to add to his personal collection.
When I got there I couldn’t believe how much of an avid collector he was of artwork. I couldn’t believe I was in the same collection of some of those artists, like Leroy Nieman. I didn’t feel I was as good as they are. I tell my mother that and she asks me why I don’t see the good in what I do. I tell her that I always want to get better and progress – I don’t want to feel like I’m at their level and stop progressing.
What experiences along the way stand out most to you?
The trip to Germany – I never expected something like that to happen and to meet the people I met along the way and be that supported.
I’ve worked with former Steelers like Frenchy Fuqua, Antonio Brown, Brett Keisel, Jesse James, Garrett Webster (Mike’s son) and Marc-Andre Fleury too. For Frenchy – he is a big Jack Daniels fan, so I put my artwork on a shirt for him – the Immaculate Reception in the Jack Daniel’s format.
Any player-experiences stand out?
Approaching Jack Lambert – I was so nervous! His reaction was shocking too. Usually when I show a player my art they’ll say “It’s great” or some general response. But he told me “Wow. It looks like I’m playing in Hell!”
That’s a good thing right?
It was yes! I loved that it was a different reaction. The first picture I did he wouldn’t sign – it was the famous one of him with no teeth. But I guess he didn’t care for that. But the one he liked and signed – it had a red, cloudy background and he was raising his arms in the air. That one he liked and signed.
How does it work with what you decide to work on and what you are allowed to actually do?
I have creative freedom to do the work as long as I don’t just copy a photograph. I have to add my own creative elements to it and change it.
You’re also doing tattoos now I see? How did that come about?
The Steelers fans in Germany. There was one that was a mega-fan, and his wife was a tattoo artist. She convinced me to buy a tattoo machine and learn to do tattoos. They were so encouraging – more honestly than some of the people here in the states since it’s so competitive here. I didn’t think I could do it, but they told me I had what it took to pursue it. So now I’m looking to do tattoos of the Steelers portraits.
You mentioned before the competitiveness of the Pittsburgh sports market. Do you talk with others in that space?
I don’t have an open line of communication with others no – I assumed they may not want to share their ideas and experiences. But who knows, maybe it’s worth trying. I’ve love to talk to them and learn from what they are doing.
What stands out most to you over this journey so far?
Being able to hare this with my kids. They are 19 and 21 now, and they come with me to many of the events and shows. That’s the coolest thing about it for me.
Any interested in following in your footsteps?
No! No creativeness behind their directions. My daughter is going into childhood education and my son is in business.
Are there any dream projects for you?
I’ve always done portraits of people – I’d like to do a more commemorative piece adding more illustration and design to the work in addition to just the photo-realism.
I actually got a phone call from Kenny Wregget – he wants me to do a replica of his 90’s Joker goalie mask for charity. I haven’t done an actual helmet before so that should be interesting. I worked with the Penguins Foundation before and did replica pucks – a set of six in a triangle framed by hockey sticks. I used chalk pastel and cleaned it with a primer first then painted pictures of hockey greats on it, including Sidney Crosby.
Lastly, where can we find your work?
You can start here: TempyMoore