Notes from the Field
2009 Travers poster is here
As these two beautiful horses and their riders walked the peaceful, leafy path to the track for the 139th running of Saratoga’s Travers Stakes, it was not at all evident that less than an inch would separate them at the finish. Jockey Garrett Gomez on WinStar Farm's Colonel John held off the hard-charging Mambo in Seattle in a duel that had 40,723 people standing at their seats. It was the perfect August day and the perfect Travers race.
This is the 24th poster in the longest-running series of its kind. The 2009 Travers poster (and the Saratoga version) will be available after June 6, 2009 on this web site and at selected stores and galleries in Saratoga Springs. See you at the track.
posted 5/29/2009 10:30:00 PM
2009 Poster Release Reception
Crafters Gallery on Broadway in Saratoga is hosting a reception for me to celebrate the release of my 2009 poster. Each year since 1986 I have created a print dedicated to Saratoga's premier race, the Travers. I try to capture the essence, the moment, the excitement of Saratoga's thoroughbred racing meet. Over the years these prints have been collected worldwide and have become an annual "must have" for racing fans with many editions being sold out. Some of my original works will also be displayed during this reception. Hope to see you there.
Saturday June 6, from 5pm - 8pm
Crafters Gallery, 427 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, New York
Info: Roger Goldsmith at Crafters Gallery (518) 583-2435.
posted 5/29/2009 10:22:00 PM
"25 Travers" show opens at Townsend Park Bakery Café
Just in time for the holidays, select pieces from this summer's exciting "25 Years of the Travers" show in Saratoga are on display at the Townsend Park Bakery Café — the newest food and art venue on Townsend Park in Albany, NY — where Washington and Central come together. Mark Smith, owner and developer has devoted a large gallery to showcasing some of the original limited edition silkscreen and giclée prints that created racing's longest running poster series. The exhibit is up through December 31, 2008 at the Townsend Park Bakery Café, 238 Washington Avenue, between Lark St. and Northern Blvd., Mon-Sat 11 am-9 p.m. Phone: 518 462-2881. Stop by for wonderful food and drink while you are enjoying the art. g
posted 12/02/2008 10:08:00 PM
At the races with Hall of Fame trainer Carl Nafzger
Carl Nafzger is a thoroughbred trainer who has won the Eclipse Award, two Kentucky Derbys, and the Travers. He also, I am proud to say, wrote the foreword to our book, "The History and Art of 25 Travers." I met him for the first time when he joined the author, Vic Zast and I to sign books at the National Museum of Racing in Saratoga. He's an amazing fellow. A former champion bull rider, he's one of the nicest, most down-to-earth men I've had the privilege to meet. After the signing, I joined him in the clubhouse to watch one of his assistant's horses run a race. At the finish, I asked him how everything went. He gently, but clearly outlined the entire race: every move, the pluses, the minuses, and the diagnosis. Going to the races with Carl is like going to the movies with Martin Scorsese. Great guy, great day.
posted 8/16/2008 08:48:00 PM
Gallery Show opens at Saratoga Art Center gallery
It was a big night. More than 350 people braved the storms and helped us celebrate the opening of my first solo exhibit of the Travers originals. The exhibit showcases the 27 original limited edition silkscreen and giclée prints that created the longest running poster series. Vic Zast, who wrote our new book "The History and Art of 25 Travers" was there to help greet people and sign books. It was fun to see so many people turn out. Thank you one and all for being there. The exhibit is open until August 31 at the Saratoga Art Center gallery with a special book signing event Tuesday, August, 19, 2008 from 5 – 8 p.m. Hope we see you there. g
posted 8/11/2008 11:33:00 PM
Art delivered to Saratoga Art Center gallery
Today, after several months of work, I rented a van and took 27 framed pieces up to the Saratoga Art Center gallery in Saratoga Springs, NY. The opening reception and book signing is Saturday, August 2, 2008 from 5-8p.m. Please come by if you are in the area.
For most of the last 25 years I have concentrated on presenting and marketing my posters, not on the original artwork that made the posters. So, this is new for me. It's my first one-person show of all the originals. I can't wait to see how it all comes together.
Shown here is one of my very favorite pieces. It's the only piece in the show that's NOT a Travers poster original. This is "Flamingo Jockey." It takes its name and color from the famous tropical bird. I created it for the Travers but never used it as a poster. Instead, it became my favorite Dick Francis book cover. It is the largest print in the show — 41" x 52" (104cm x 132cm.) I just love it.
posted 7/29/2008 10:17:00 PM