What to do with all those extra cards? Make sports card art!
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Greg Kline’s story begins the same as many collectors. As
a boy, he grabbed cards of his favorite players – and anyone else he could get.
He built collections that included guys such as Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris.
a boy, he grabbed cards of his favorite players – and anyone else he could get.
He built collections that included guys such as Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris.
Then, life got in the way, well, more like girls. Cards
became less of his focus until he had children of his own. During the 1980s and
1990s, he started collecting again, but now with his sons. They accumulated
cards, building cards from what is commonly called as the “junk wax” era.
became less of his focus until he had children of his own. During the 1980s and
1990s, he started collecting again, but now with his sons. They accumulated
cards, building cards from what is commonly called as the “junk wax” era.
Now, imagine, having thousands, maybe even millions of
cards piled up from this period. It’s easy to conceive since so many collected
at the same time, but here is where Greg’s story takes a different path.
cards piled up from this period. It’s easy to conceive since so many collected
at the same time, but here is where Greg’s story takes a different path.
After Greg suffered from two heart attacks and other
serious medical issues, he found himself sitting at home with a lot of times on
his hands because he was unable to work. It was time to dig out that old
collection.
serious medical issues, he found himself sitting at home with a lot of times on
his hands because he was unable to work. It was time to dig out that old
collection.
“That’s when I decided to cut each player out and make
collage art out of them,” Greg said. “I would take a full set and cut out every
player, then start putting the puzzle together. My first piece I did was for my
oldest son.”
collage art out of them,” Greg said. “I would take a full set and cut out every
player, then start putting the puzzle together. My first piece I did was for my
oldest son.”
Greg has created more than a dozen pieces of artwork from
his cards (although nothing from before 1981) from small collages to life-size
players. His most recent completed project was a full-size depiction of
legendary baseball player Babe Ruth.
his cards (although nothing from before 1981) from small collages to life-size
players. His most recent completed project was a full-size depiction of
legendary baseball player Babe Ruth.
From afar, the likeness to Ruth is apparent with his
broad shoulders, iconic swing and recognizable smile. But take a step closer
and instead you see everything that has put the piece together with more than
2,000 micro Topps baseball cards from 1991-93 — although not the Derek Jeter
rookie-year card. He’s keeping that one for himself.
broad shoulders, iconic swing and recognizable smile. But take a step closer
and instead you see everything that has put the piece together with more than
2,000 micro Topps baseball cards from 1991-93 — although not the Derek Jeter
rookie-year card. He’s keeping that one for himself.
“Every day is different. Some better than others,” Greg
said. “One day I can do a lot and the next, I just can’t seem to find one right
card.”
said. “One day I can do a lot and the next, I just can’t seem to find one right
card.”
Next up, Greg will work on another life-size player.
Although he hasn’t decided which one just yet, it will be another legend of Jackie
Robinson, Ted Williams or Lou Gehrig.
Although he hasn’t decided which one just yet, it will be another legend of Jackie
Robinson, Ted Williams or Lou Gehrig.
Here’s a look at more of Greg’s work:
Very cool! I'm impressed with guys like Greg, and Tim Carroll, who make some amazing artwork using old cards.
What a terrific idea!