Salem Sportswear Caricatures
I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have started my art career with Salem Sportswear. I remember when I was still in college needing summer employment and some part time hours during my senior year. I got my start at Salem working the Screen Presses. It was a Great Experience working with some Great people and seeing the whole process of silk screening designs on t-shirts come to life right before my eyes. My next break came when Doug Vennard, the Art Director, asked to see my portfolio and he gave me a shot at graphics production in the art department. There I did production art for bumper sticker and custom t-shirt designs after my classes at college finished for the day.
My Really Big Break came when Salem Screen Printers got into the Officially Licensed Sports Game. I believe that it was Bill Fickett who approached Keith Kennelly and Kyle Nagel, the owners of Salem Screen Printers about it and... Salem Sportswear was born.
Salem always had Top Tier Artists like Larry Johnson of The Boston Globe and eventually The Nationally Recognized- Bruce Stark, who was known for his amazing caricature work for TV Guide, Time, Mad, Golf Digest, The Saturday Evening Post, Fortune, Forbes, ETC., ETC. These guys were responsible for the Big Projects involving Major League Sports' High Profile Super Stars . It wasn't long before The business of putting big headed caricatures of sports players on t-shirts Exploded. To Keep up with the Demand, Salem also knew that they needed other artists too. At the time, I was just a 22 yr. old art student working my way through school, but they gave me a break and I made the most of it. I've done well over a hundred caricatures for Salem. Thanks again for the Opportunity- Salem Sportswear!
