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Ex-Buckeye is big man on canvas
Greg Storer paints portraits of Ohio State athletic greats
Sep. 12, 2011
Written by
Michael D. Clark
Greg Storer, a former Ohio State and Moeller High football player, poses in his Mason studio. / Tony Tribble for The Enquirer
MASON - The path to Ohio State University sports immortality runs through a Mason arts studio and takes shape in the talented fingers of a former Buckeye football player turned painter.
Last week on the school's Columbus campus, 11 sports heroes were inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame during annual ceremonies honoring former athletic greats. Among this year's class were four football players who went on to NFL careers - including All-Americans Orlando Pace and Mike Doss - and Saturday during halftime of the Ohio State and Toledo football game, all 11 athletes were honored on the field at Ohio Stadium.
But it's Mason artist Greg Storer who captures their youthful essence in painted portraits that are presented to each athlete as part of their induction into the hall.
As a former Ohio State football player - and Moeller High School star - who toiled under legendary coaches Woody Hayes and Gerry Faust, Storer has painted the portraits of many of Ohio State's hall of fame players for nearly a quarter of a century.
"I'd almost do this for free because it is such an honor," said Storer, who played tight end for Hayes in the late 1970s.
Storer's contemporary realist style of painting has earned him international recognition since he graduated in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in fine arts from Ohio State. His subjects vary widely from football and sports - which comprises only a small portion of his portfolio - but he brings a unique passion to his hall of fame portraits and Buckeye football-themed paintings, many featuring game action.
"Since I played the game I have a sense of what it took for them to be a part of their sport and what sports are about. There is a beauty and clarity to sports that I like to capture," said Storer, who lives in nearby Landen.
"Plus I love staying connected to Ohio State because I love all things Ohio State," said the proud graduate during break between teaching art classes at his studio near Mason's main business district.
His next Buckeye-related project: A real-life size portrait of former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel.
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