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Academy Alumni Paints Cub's First Basemen Derrek Lee

John Hanley, a 1986 graduate of the American Academy of Art, has produced a painting of the Cub’s Derrek Lee to benefit Lee’s “Project 3000”; a foundation to research Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), a rare and genetic disease that causes blindness, of which Lee’s 3 year old daughter, Jada, was diagnosed.

When Hanley heard of Jada’s illness, the longtime Cubs fan thought about how he could help. “I saw the press conference, and he was really emotional about it,” Hanley said. “I thought, ‘Maybe there’s something I could do’.” Recently, at a Cubs Convention, Hanley approached Lee about the foundation Lee had started to help fight the illness. Hanley would paint Lee’s portrait, sell the original painting, along with signed prints, and give the majority of the proceeds to Project 3000. Lee quickly agreed.

Prints signed by Hanley go for $65, with 70 percent of proceeds going to Project 3000; ones signed by Hanley and Lee run $400, with 60 percent of those proceeds to the charity. Half of the proceeds from the original painting will go to fight LCA.

This is not the first painting of a sports figure that has earned Hanley acclaim. Just this year, Hanley was nominated for the “Sports Artist of the Year” from the United States Sport Art Museum. John has also built a prestigious client list creating posters, books and promotional art for motion pictures including Jurassic Park, Batman Forever, Batman & Robin, Small Soldiers and others.

To see more of John Hanley’s work please visit his website at www.johnhanleyartist.com.