This week’s announcement of a painting of Bobby Bowden by acclaimed artist Steve R. Skipper provides FSU and Bowden fans with the opportunity to have a treasured reproduction. Commissioned by the Bowden Family Trust, the artist spent over 1,500 hours spanning two years on the painting which Bobby and Ann were able to see and approve before his passing. A generous portion of the proceeds from the sale of the reproductions will go to the Bowden Trust as well as FSU Athletics. “The thing that makes me proudest about this project is getting the personal commission from Coach Bowden to do it,” said Skipper, whose works are collected internationally and are featured on permanent display at the Paul W. Bryant Museum, the Eddie G. Robinson Museum, the Lousiana Sports Hall of Fame, Auburn Universities Lovelace Museum, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. “The choices that he had for an artist were worldwide and he chose a guy from his hometown.” “What surprised me about Coach was his upbeat personality,” said Skipper. “He spoke like a 25-year-old even at age 90. He was so passionate about the project yet so humble. I pushed the fact that he needed to be honored in a way that would not only outlive him but would continue his Christian witness in his absence. It was important for his great grand children to know his remarkable commitment as well as his faith. It was important for his players to have an image to point to when telling their children about him. “We wanted not just to have a painting, but a value appreciating Limited Edition which could be passed down from generation to generation.” The reproductions, which are currently available through the artist’s website at SteveSkipperStudio.com and at Garnet and Gold stores in Tallahassee, include a Gicle’e Edition as well as a Lithograph Edition both of which are limited and will never be printed after selling out. An Open Edition Mini Print, which is approximately 11x14 inches, will be on permanent sale. Artist Steve R. Skipper’s Biography Born in Rosedale, Alabama. A little suburb in Homewood, Steve R. Skipper is the younger Son of Johnnie and Elnora Skipper. Having no formal training in Art, he gives all honor and glory for his gift to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He also credits his deep love for his older Brother Don as the one who inspired him to draw, but becoming a Christian in 1976 rendered a falling in love experience with Jesus which ignited the gift into a Fine Art publisher known as Anointed Homes Art. The first African American Artist to do sanctioned and officially licensed Artwork for the University of Alabama, Auburn University, the Dallas Cowboys, NASCAR, the Professional Bull Riders, the PGA, as well as the Green Bay Packers. He was personally chosen by University of Alabama Head Football Coach Nick Saban to enter into contract with him as Official and endorsed Artist for his first National Championship Commemorative Paintings and Limited Editions. With formal commissions from the Davey Allison Estate, Bobby Allison Enterprises, Coach Ray Perkins, the late Derrick Thomas, the late Earl Woods, Jim Dent, Hale Irwin,Ozzie Newsome, Nick Saban, Doug Williams and the Dallas Cowboys Jason Witten, to name a few. Steve has been blessed to have his work included in the fine art collections of George Landegger of New York, famed Comedian Bill Cosby and Mr. and Mrs Harry Belafonte. Truly one of the most illustrious Art careers in Fine Art history. His work has been featured in unveilings at The MGM Grand, Caesars Palace,Planet Hollywood and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. His work is collected internationally and is featured on permanent display at the Paul W. Bryant Museum, the Eddie G. Robinson Museum, the Lousiana Sports Hall of Fame, Auburn Universities Lovelace Museum, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. His work has been featured and sold on the QVC Network and in partnership with the Collegiate Licensing Company with the University of Alabama along with the Crimson Tide Network and Auburn University. He has also entered into partnership Agreement with Dallas Cowboys Merchandising in their stadium store at Cowboys Stadium as well as team stores around the state of Texas. Steve was selected by the Gene Stallings Family to do a Painting and Limited Edition featuring their late Son John Mark, from the Family of the legendary Grambling State Head Football Coach Eddie G. Robinson to do the same and most recently the Bart Starr family and Estate to commemorate the life and career of the incomparable Bart. Selected in 2011 to take part in an Exhibition at the National Art Museum of Sports in Indianapolis, Indiana, Steve was named one of the top 50 Sports Artist in the world. Steve was honored to be commissioned by the City of Birmingham to do The Official Original and Limited Edition Commemorative Artwork celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement as well as a formal commission from legendary Washington Redskin Quarterback Doug Williams to do the Official Commemorative Artwork celebrating Doug's Super Bowl MVP performance. Steve was commissioned by the Mayor of Selma, Alabama to do an Original Painting and Limited Edition Commemorative celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the crossing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge. The project was formally embraced and endorsed by Ambassador Andrew Young, Reverend CT Vivian, Reverend Joseph E. Lowery and Congressman John Lewis. The first Reproduction was requested by Mrs. Lucy Baines Johnson to be received and ceremoniously hung on permanent display in the LBJ Presidential Library. The first Civil Rights Artwork and the first by an African American Artist. Steve has fulfilled commissions from the Family and Estate of the late football icon Kenny Stabler. Steve fulfilled a commission from the Bahamian Government to do a Painting and Limited Edition celebrating the pilgrimage of Dr. King to the Bahamas where he wrote his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. The unveiling of the Painting was done in the Bahamas along with Ambassador Andrew Young. He’s currently fulfilling a personal commission from the iconic Ambassador Andrew J. Young which will celebrate his life before, with, and after Dr. King. Recently completing commission from the Family and Estate of the late and iconic Bart Starr to commemorate his life and career in an Original Painting and Limited Edition. Steve’s life as a young man and an established Artist has been wonderfully captured in an epic Movie entitled “Colors of Character” which has been distributed internationally. It's been quite a ride with Christ doing all of the driving and man with miles yet to go.