Chester-based artist Hayden Richard saw in his mind the image of a massive bald eagle bringing the championship Lombardi Trophy home and began painting it, writes Wakisha Bailey for CBS News Philadelphia.
“This big bald eagle is coming home,” Richard said, spreading his arms like wings. “Before the Eagles won the Super Bowl, I started painting this.”
Now the soaring bald eagle image is available in time for the Philadelphia Eagles’ home opener on Sept. 4 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Richard’s painting features no players, no stadium, and no fans, yet it projects strength, pride, and freedom through the bald eagle itself.
For the project, Richard layered the background using his fingers, then employed a meticulous technique called stippling, which involves creating texture and depth with tiny dots of paint.
Richard is holding the bald eagle painting for “Eagles royalty.”
“I’m hoping the owner of the Eagles — and Mr. Hurts and the rest of the team — will contact me and buy the paintings,” he said.
Richard returned to his love of art after losing his job at Crozer Health.
He started drawing at age 7 in his native Trinidad. Today, his masterpieces are displayed there.
Read more about Hayden Richard’s other works and collections at CBS News Philadelphia.
