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Capturing the Soul of Sports

In his quiet studio filled with light and the scent of oil paints, artist Jeff Joseph brings some of the most iconic moments and places in American sports to life. His work is devoted to capturing the soul of American sport through stadiums, athletes, and timeless moments across football, baseball, cycling, and beyond. 

A Spark in Cleveland

Growing up in Cleveland, Jeff was only eight years old when he first felt the pull of illustration. His father owned a Pontiac dealership in Lakewood, Ohio. Hanging on the office walls were black-and-white sports prints by artist Robert Riger, known for his charcoal and pencil portraits of legendary figures like Rocky Marciano and Ted Williams.

“I remember standing there, looking at those prints, and saying, ‘Wow. I want to do that.’ That was the start.”

Without formal art training, Jeff began sketching his classmates and favorite athletes, teaching himself as he went. Riger’s ability to capture movement and emotion became a north star and Jeff followed.

Finding a Language in Sports and Architecture

Decades later, Jeff still draws from the same sense of wonder that first inspired him as a boy. Today, his subjects often blend sports iconography with architectural beauty, focusing not only on the games but on the places where fans have built memories.

“I love choosing subjects like stadiums or campus landmarks. A lot of college campuses have these incredible European-style buildings. I’m inspired by that architecture as much as the sports themselves.”

Licensed with major universities including The Ohio State University, Michigan State, and the University of Michigan, Jeff’s paintings celebrate beloved structures, iconic moments in sport, and the figures who define them. His style has evolved toward a post-Impressionist influence, using soft purples, mauves, rose tones, and greens to reinterpret these landmarks with warmth and nostalgia.

More Than a Game

Jeff doesn’t just paint stadiums — he paints memory. At art shows across the Midwest, he and his wife often see visitors stop in their tracks, eyes welling with tears as they recognize a place from their past.

“People will see Tiger Stadium and say, ‘Oh my God, I grew up there.’ Or they’ll see Ohio Stadium and remember their parents or their first game. That’s what makes it special.”

His work has found its way into homes, collections, and even hospital rooms, where patients have told him it truly lifted their spirits through difficult times.

A Method Rooted in Care

Each original oil painting is a months-long commitment. Jeff visits stadiums in person, gathering reference photos to ensure accuracy. He then sketches directly onto canvas before layering in oil paints, a process that can take six months per piece.

He works primarily in his home studio, surrounded by decades of sketches, color notes, and personal references. And if you look closely at some of his crowd scenes, you’ll find a hidden “Waldo” — His wife into each piece with her signature ponytail.

Coming Home to Columbus

Among the places where Jeff’s work now lives are The Blackwell Inn, with its deep ties to the university, and The Graduate, known for its collegiate storytelling and immersive design. These hotels offer more than just a backdrop for his paintings — they create a setting where art, tradition, and community meet.

For a lifelong Buckeye fan, it’s a full-circle moment.

“It’s a real honor to have my work there,” he says with a smile. “Alumni and fans from across the country come to Columbus to watch the Buckeyes. To have my artwork in places like that — it’s exciting and humbling.”

Through a partnership with Bazaar Collaborative, guests can engage directly with his work. A QR code in each room invites them to step into the story behind the canvas — to learn about Jeff’s process, his inspiration, and the history woven into each brushstroke.

“We’re such a commercial society. Adding that human connection is really meaningful.”

The Enduring Power of Art and Memory

Jeff Joseph’s paintings are more than illustrations of stadiums and athletes. They are time capsules — vessels of community, pride, and personal history. They remind fans where they came from and why these places matter.

“When people see my work, they feel good. It brings back great memories. That’s what it’s all about.”