Roll 'Bama Roll: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
New Blog: Cottagers Confidential for Fulham FC Fans!

Alabama's latest painting "Bama's Greatest Fan" captures Johnny Stallings



As much as I hate to post a link to anything by Scarbinsky, this one is worth it. What an outstanding painting by Steve Skipper honoring John Mark Stallings, his father, and the bond they shared. Never thought I'd say it, but I like this one more than anything Daniel Moore has done.

Fulljms-1218jpg-5634907c99155faf_medium_medium

via media.al.com

Johnny should be here to see this team.

He should be there, in the Rose Bowl, to watch that game for the national title.

Something tells me, he will be watching, from the best seat in a better house.

FanPosts are just that; posts created by the fans. They are in no way indicative of the opinions of SBN and the authors of Roll Bama Roll.

0 recs  |  Comment 6 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

I get chill bumps....

 Seriously, you know how seeing “The Strip” or “The Sack” or hearing the Bear’s voice over the jumbo-tron gives you chills? This article matched those feelings, plus some. John Mark is one of God’s special children, and I am honored he chose Alabama to love with all his heart.

"Only the strong survive , but the strong still get their [fannies] whipped." Coach Nick Saban

by RocksinBama on Dec 20, 2009 1:36 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Eh. Call me the Grinch, but....

I know Johnny would be happy to have a painting done of him. For that reason alone, I mustn’t rail too heavily against this. But I certainly have mixed (mostly negative) feelings about this painting. Bottom line: it adds nothing to an already priceless photograph. The photograph is perfection. You can see the unbridled joy in Johnny’s face, how he loved life, Alabama football, and his father.

Johnny’s eyes are closed in the photograph, and by trying to paint them open, the artist really screwed up Johnny’s face, making a nice-looking boy with down syndrome look deformed (which he wasn’t). Coach Stallings face is a little more accurate, but still looks more like a pretty convincing look-alike than the actual guy.

Lastly, while Daniel Moore’s paintings often add little details like hidden scores, motion blurs, more dramatic lighting, etc., this painting adds nothing. I don’t know the artist, and would never accuse him of trying to cash in on the emotional connection between Alabama fans and Johnny Stallings, but unless he is practically giving away these prints, it is hard to see what other motivation he could have.

I know this response may be met with accusations of cynicism and cries of “lighten up,” but I just don’t see what good it does anyone.

by bamabrian on Dec 20, 2009 3:39 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

OK. I should have read the whole article.

It was commissioned by the Stallings family. I now have zero question of the artists motives. He meant well. I still don’t see the point. The picture is perfect, and of the actual thing… why paint it if you’re not gonna add anything special to it.

by bamabrian on Dec 20, 2009 3:42 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I think they should sell photographic prints

of Johnny Stalling to benefit the RISE program, I’d buy them in a heartbeat… that is a great program.

by bamabrian on Dec 20, 2009 3:44 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

The painting is what they are selling for RISE.....

 I think that is a majority of the reason the Stallings commissioned it.

"Only the strong survive , but the strong still get their [fannies] whipped." Coach Nick Saban

by RocksinBama on Dec 20, 2009 4:15 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Anything to remember John Mark and...

…to help out a worthy cause. My only gripe is that if it weren’t for John Mark being in the painting and knowing the photograph, I would wonder who he was sitting with. That doesn’t really look like Gene.

Auburn and Tennessee fans are a lot like Slinkys...neither are worth much but you do get a sense of satisfaction from pushing them down a flight of stairs

by bamachine on Dec 21, 2009 9:30 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog covering the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Start posting about the Crimson Tide »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Small
SB Nation Survey + Chance to donate $500 to a charity of this community's choice
Nickcave_small
Classic Music Friday: MOTORHEAD
Img_2235_small
Bama's Greatest Games
Crabtreeinmyhead_small
RBR Tourney Pick 'Em
26935420b_small
NCAA Balks on Head-Coach-in-Waiting Rule

Recent FanPosts

Img_2235_small
Head to Tuscaloosa
010_small
Hypothetical question of the day
Nickcave_small
Music Monday: SIX ORGANS OF ADMITTANCE
Small
Barrett Jones and Kendall Kelly
Nickcave_small
Classic Music Friday: THE KINKS
Twitter_small
SEC looking to give Alabama some schedule relief

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

SBNation.com Recent Stories

Maryland's Greivis Vasquez, of Venezuela, tries to block a shot by Houston's Aubrey Coleman in the first half of an NCAA first-round college basketball game in Spokane, Wash., Friday, March 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Rajah Bose)

NCAA Tournament: After Early Struggles, Maryland Puts Away Houston, 89-77

Michigan State's Kalin Lucas drives around New Mexico State's Jonathan Gibson in the first half of an NCAA first-round college basketball game in Spokane, Wash., Friday, March 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)

NCAA Tournament: Lane Violation Helps Michigan State Move Past New Mexico State, 70-67

Oklahoma State's James Anderson (23) is defended by Georgia Tech's Glen Rice, Jr. (14), in the first half of an NCAA first-round college basketball game in Milwaukee, Friday, March 19, 2010.(AP Photo/Morry Gash)

NCAA Tournament: Georgia Tech Remembers How To Shoot Free Throws, Tops Oklahoma St. 64-59

More from SBNation.com >

Roll Bama Roll on Twitter


Managers

Large_hankwilliams_small Todd

Miltonf-788904_small outsidethesidelines

Nickcave_small Nico2.0

Author

Kleph_logo_copy_small kleph

26935420b_small PeteHoliday

Oguchionyewu_1511662_small Bama07

Official Partner of CBS Sports