Graeme Baxter the world’s leading golf artist was commissioned by the European Tour to paint a special “surprise” painting for Spanish golf great Severiano Ballesteros. Seve helped organize the first Seve Trophy six years ago, a biennial event where players from Britain & Ireland play against Continental Europe. This year the tournament took place at Saint-Nom-la-Breteche near Paris where the portrait was unveiled.
Seve recorded a few comments for the players from his home because he is recovering from treatment for a brain tumour and was too weak to travel. “I would like to thank all of the players for all of their support I’ve had during these difficult moments,” he said. “It is very nice and emotional to know that you have people behind you. It’s great to see the sixth edition of the Seve Trophy. It is the one tournament I created due to how much I like match play and I think it will help the players for future Ryder Cup.”
In response Captains Thomas Björn and Paul McGinley recorded a message of their own calling him “an inspiration” and wished his health well. They also presented him with the original Graeme Baxter painting on behalf of both teams inscribed with the words: “From the players to Seve in appreciation of your unique talent and great inspiration.”
Graeme commented on this exceptional commission, “It was a real honour for me to undertake such a project and to be chosen for this special painting. Seve is considered one of the greatest golfers of all time and is certainly considered the People’s Champion.”
“I’ll never forget the personal thank you call I received from Mr. Ballesteros when we were able to find a Giclee of my Old Course St Andrews painting which he had always admired and wanted. He was so pleased to have it and commented on how the painting had completed his great memories of his career. I was truly awestruck by the complement and quite humbled.”
Baxter wanted to recreate Ballesteros’ win at the 1984 British Open at St. Andrews. The painting depicts Ballesteros after his final putt for birdie on the 18th hole and also Ballesteros holding the claret jug with the R&A club house in the background. True to Graeme’s incredible ability for detail, the painting is technically accurate with the help of detailed photographs from the 1984 Open.
Graeme Baxter is renowned for his original golf art landscape oil paintings of signature holes from the world’s most prestigious golf courses. Graeme is the Official Artist to more golf events than any other artist. Tournaments such as The Open, The Ryder Cup, The Presidents Cup, Kraft Nabisco Championship as well as the Official Artist to the PGA, PGA of Europe and European Tour. Graeme’s originals are displayed in clubhouses around the world including St Andrews Old Course, Augusta, Turnberry, Pebble Beach, Dubai Creek, Mission Hills, Pine Valley China and Carnoustie to name a few.
In recent years, Graeme has been commissioned to do portrait paintings for the PGA and LPGA Champions, the likes of Padraig Harrington and Paula Creamer and now ‘The People’s Champion’ Seve Ballesteros.
Graeme Baxter www.BaxterGolfArt.com