His portrait of Ted Williams is one of many of artist's hits

By Qzzie Roberts
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
January 30, 2005

Ted Williams - "The Kid," "The Splendid Splinter," "Teddy Ballgame" -grew up whacking baseballs around and out of venues all over San Diego County. And he mastered the art professionally, in Boston, playing 19 seasons for the fabled Red Sox.

And nowhere more than in those two cities do baseball fans and just plain folks alike know that Williams was much more than a superstar: He wash indeed, an artist.

So when you're a meticulous portrait painter such as Kadir Nelson, another recognized San Diego treasure, you know you've done your job when people in your hometown say you've captured the spirit of the man, Williams.

Many are saying that after Nelson's specially commissioned 5-by-6-foot painting of the late Williams was unveiled Jan. 20 at the San Diego Hall of Champions in Balboa Park. Nelson calls the piece, which captures the ballplayer at a game early in his career, "Ted Williams On Deck."

The unveiling came a matter of days after the American Library Association announced Nelson had won its prestigious Coretta Scott King Award. It's presented annually to black authors and illustrators for excellence in writing and illustration in a children's book.

The word on Nelson's work and talent is fast circulating near and far: The 30-year-old Crawford High graduate has gained worldwide recognition as a sports artist and children's book illustrator.

For his two-month Williams project, Nelson researched old books, newspapers and magazines. He pored over old photographs.

And by the Time he was ready to paint, he says he felt attuned to Williams' passion and determination. He could empathize with the legendary player's oft repeated declaration that he wanted to be known as the greatest hitter who ever lived. He also relished connecting with the spirit of an artist of another kind.

When Nelson painted, he used lines, coloring and shading in ways that seem To make Williams come alive on canvas.

Says Chuck Hansen, a community relations vice president for Viejas Enterprises, who made it a point to be at the unveiling: "The realism in it just grabbed me - it's so, so realistic"... .