JLFS Painting_MP4 HD 360 iKumite.mp4
Twice voted as the greatest fighter in karate history, martial arts legend Joe Lewis is in the fight of his life against brain cancer. At a recent banquet in his honor, Bruce Lee’s wife Linda Lee and former Parade magazine publisher Walter Anderson were on hand to give Lewis tribute and support.
It was at that event that the man many consider the greatest black belt in history was surprised and honored with a powerful portrait by NFL Films Emmy Award Winning Artist Bob Mueller. You can see the painting at www.JoeLewisArt.com.
Recently undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumor Joe Lewis, the first world heavyweight kickboxing champion, earned his black belt in just three-months. Most students take 3-5 years to earn a black belt.
Lewis also trained with Bruce Lee and won the national karate championships in a mere 18-months after his first karate class. He has appeared on over 100 talk shows including co-hosting the Merv Griffin show and starred in several well received action films.
But even Lewis was not prepared when his protege’ John Graden surprised him at a tribute with a powerful portrait of Lewis in his classic side stance pose.
“No Ordinary Joe” was commissioned by Graden for Emmy Award winning artist, Bob Mueller. Mueller, well-known for his remarkable paintings of football and hockey stars, is also a 6th degree black belt who says painting Joe Lewis was an honor.
Mueller says, “I have created works of art of some of the toughest men to ever play professional sports. Names like Dick Butkus, Lawrence Taylor, and Gordie Howe are among the greatest of all time. My rendition of Joe Lewis combines the energy of these Hall of Famers to create an impression of his unique talent. Every brush stroke of this painting has iconic gestures and symbolic inner meanings that celebrate the man, the ultimate fighting machine, Joe Lewis.”
Meuller including many special details in the painting that represent the legend of Joe Lewis. Those details are also at www.JoeLewisArt.com.
The Executive Director of the Martial Arts Teachers’ Association, Graden managed to keep the painting a secret until the night of a banquet in Lewis’ honor in Tampa, FL.
In attendance were hundreds of Joe Lewis fans, friends, and family including Linda Lee, wife of martial arts icon Bruce Lee and Walter Anderson, who published Parade magazine for over 20-years.
Many luminaries in and outside of the martial arts world sent their best wishes via video or hand written letters including Chuck Norris and prominent psychologist Nathanial Brandon, who despite his own severe health issues took the time to deliver a heartfelt video message to his old friend.
Towards the end of the evening Graden took the stage and shared some of his experiences with Joe Lewis since he, along with his brother Jim, became his proteges in the mid-1980s.
Graden then screened a short video depicting the creation of the painting and introducing Mueller to the crowd. Many of Mueller’s paintings adorn the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, OH.
Working with NFL Films, Mueller won an Emmy for the documentary showcasing his paintings, “The 100 Best Players in the NFL.”
Graden concluded the presentation up by telling his mentor, “My goal was to cement your legend by immortalizing you in the company of NFL Films and an Emmy Award winning artist.”
Graden then invited his brothers, Jim and Mark to the stage to pull off the cover and reveal, “No Ordinary Joe” to an enthusiastic ovation.