In this section I will be writing small articles about artists that I enjoy seeing, and that you may enjoy seeing too. I will try and write them once a month so be on the lookout.
We're approaching Week 8 of the NFL season, and I'm excited to share some thoughts about one of the most creative artists in the world of Reddit and social media, Rita Oak, a super talented Portuguese artist. Her journey started as an artist intertwined with the NFL season, particularly focusing on Jimmy Garoppolo. Rita committed herself to drawing Jimmy Garoppolo every single day until he was traded from the San Francisco 49ers. (2/2/2022 - 3/13/2023)
Towards the end of the 2022 NFL season, it became clear that Jimmy Garoppolo's time in San Francisco might be coming to an end; and Rita therefore wanted to pay tribute to his career in the bay area. I have to believe that Rita thought this project might only last through the offseason, but nevertheless Jimmy G wasn't traded until a year later.
Rita stuck with the project, and for 404 consecutive days, we (as artistic fans) had the pleasure of seeing her exceptional drawings in our feed. Each time, her creations brought a smile that surpassed the previous one. Rita ingeniously merged Jimmy G (along with other 49ers players) with elements from popular movies, internet memes, video game references, and more. Below, I've highlighted some of my personal favorites. You can explore the complete collection here: https://ko-fi.com/ritaoak/gallery
It wasn't until the '22-'23 NFL season where we unfortunately saw both Trey Lance and backup Jimmy G get injured. This chain of events led to the rise of Brock "Him" Purdy. On March 13, 2023 Jimmy Garoppolo was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, and Rita's project came to an end.
This project has received acclaim from a multitude of sources, including the 49ers themselves, with Jimmy G among the admirers. Additionally, ESPN, The Washington Post, and The Athletic have recognized Rita's work. Even George Kittle chose one of her drawings as his profile picture.
While Jimmy G transitioned from the San Francisco 49ers to the Las Vegas Raiders, Rita remained busy with other projects, such as "Drawing Vladdy every time he hits a Home Run" and creating art for Gold Bar Whisky.
This season she retuned to the 49ers' world, "Drawing the Niners until we get to the Super Bowl." It's astonishing to consider that we're already 50 days into the season, and we've been blessed with 50 beautiful drawings. It’s great to see this new project emerge as she closes the book to her previous one (She has a book coming out soon with the 404 drawings in it, definitely go check it out if you are a 49’ers fan).
As a fan of Rita's art, the entire 49er’s community (they’re genuinely really nice on Reddit, like truly some of the nicest people - shoutout also to William Sabbato and Helmet food Guy), and the Seattle Seahawks, I find myself in a bit of a dilemma. I hope that the 49’ers won’t make it to the Super Bowl so we continue to see these great works of art day in and day out :)
Merch Store: https://ko-fi.com/ritaoak/shop
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritaoak_art/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ritaoak_art
There can only be one "First" and my first article is for one prominent creator who has gained considerable traction and recognition for their logo redesigns: Emily Morgan. Emily's talents, innovative approach, and attention to detail has garnered praise from fans, sports media organizations, and even caught the attention of professional sports organizations. Her ability to blend tradition with modern aesthetics has resulted in captivating redesigns that reflect both the essence of the team's history and the contemporary visual preferences of fans.
I believe one reason she has garnered significant attention is largely attributed to her exceptional storytelling skills. Through her engaging videos, on platforms like TikTok and Instagram (go check out her links below), she skillfully leads her audience on a captivating journey through her creative process, offering a comprehensive view from inception to completion. This glimpse into her artistic evolution holds a strong allure, allowing viewers to virtually accompany her as she intricately crafts these never before seen logos.
Emily also breaks down the symbolism of her designs and clearly draws out where her inspiration derives from. One design I’m particularly fond of is her redesign of the Washington Commanders. Instead of a red outlined W, she incorporates the iconic Washington monument and also includes the commanders badge. Not only does this connect the logo to the city of D.C but also adds the symbolism of the team name.
Another design that thoroughly captivates me is her innovative reinterpretation of the Miami Dolphins' logo. Through this engaging endeavor of reimagining NFL team logos, she masterfully encapsulates not only the spirit of Miami but also the streamlined elegance and vibrant energy associated with dolphins.
In conclusion, Emily Morgan's exceptional talent for logo redesigns showcases a unique blend of tradition and modernity, earning her well-deserved recognition and admiration from fans and professional sports organizations alike. Her ability to infuse symbolism and inspiration into her designs creates captivating logos that honor the team's history while resonating with contemporary visual preferences, making her a standout creator in the field.
Finally, go check out her subscribe to her new Youtube Channel and follow her social media pages.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@emilymorgancreates
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilymorgancreates/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EM_Creates