This pop-realism drawing by Mike Pitzer presents a pop-realism interpretation of a vintage tennis racket, meticulously rendered in graphite and colored pencil. The wooden frame and handle retain their classic form and branding, anchoring the piece in a sense of history and authenticity. The focal point is the inventive substitution of the racket's traditional string bed with the metal surface of an old-fashioned washboard. This fusion of sports equipment and domestic tool challenges expectations, inviting reflection on contrasting themes of leisure and labor. The precise detailing emphasizes texture—from the smooth wood grain and subtle wear to the rigid, grid-like metal—creating a compelling visual tension. Pitzer’s restrained palette and exacting technique highlight the object’s materiality while evoking a quiet nostalgia.
From the Artist:
There are so many beautiful tennis racquets, pre-graphite introduction, made from laminated wood. As a kid growing up in Algonac, Michigan, I wished I could have owned anyone of these. Eventually, I was able to save up and buy the one I wanted. Years later, and thanks to eBay, I was able to acquire the others I had always dreamed of owning as a kid. My Wilson Jack Kramer Autographed Tennis Racquet was one of those.
Mounted Artwork Description
This original artwork was created in graphite and Prismacolor colored pencil. Following completion, the drawing was carefully trimmed from its original sheet and professionally mounted on Canson XL Mixed Media Paper (98 lb / 160 g/m²), selected to match the original drawing paper. The mounted presentation features clean, precision-cut edges surrounding the original artwork. The graphite retains its characteristic range of soft greys, crisp detail, and natural metallic sheen, while the Prismacolor pencils provide rich, wax-based color and smooth tonal transitions. The artwork is securely adhered to the backing, lying perfectly flat with a clean white border that frames the original drawing without altering the original image.
This pop-realism drawing by Mike Pitzer presents a pop-realism interpretation of a vintage tennis racket, meticulously rendered in graphite and colored pencil. The wooden frame and handle retain their classic form and branding, anchoring the piece in a sense of history and authenticity. The focal point is the inventive substitution of the racket's traditional string bed with the metal surface of an old-fashioned washboard. This fusion of sports equipment and domestic tool challenges expectations, inviting reflection on contrasting themes of leisure and labor. The precise detailing emphasizes texture—from the smooth wood grain and subtle wear to the rigid, grid-like metal—creating a compelling visual tension. Pitzer’s restrained palette and exacting technique highlight the object’s materiality while evoking a quiet nostalgia.
From the Artist:
There are so many beautiful tennis racquets, pre-graphite introduction, made from laminated wood. As a kid growing up in Algonac, Michigan, I wished I could have owned anyone of these. Eventually, I was able to save up and buy the one I wanted. Years later, and thanks to eBay, I was able to acquire the others I had always dreamed of owning as a kid. My Wilson Jack Kramer Autographed Tennis Racquet was one of those.
Mounted Artwork Description
This original artwork was created in graphite and Prismacolor colored pencil. Following completion, the drawing was carefully trimmed from its original sheet and professionally mounted on Canson XL Mixed Media Paper (98 lb / 160 g/m²), selected to match the original drawing paper. The mounted presentation features clean, precision-cut edges surrounding the original artwork. The graphite retains its characteristic range of soft greys, crisp detail, and natural metallic sheen, while the Prismacolor pencils provide rich, wax-based color and smooth tonal transitions. The artwork is securely adhered to the backing, lying perfectly flat with a clean white border that frames the original drawing without altering the original image.
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