Stephen Holland Speaking to the press at the Dodger's 50th announcement

I'd like to express my appreciation to the Dodgers for commissioning me to do this piece of art commemorating their 50 years in Los Angeles.

As a kid growing up in NYC, in a family that emphasized compassion and caring for others, I was always a Dodger fan.

Knowing about Jackie Robinson and the breaking of the color barrier in baseball—to me the Dodgers were a team that would always have your back. This is part of the Dodger standard of excellence that I will depict in my painting.

Under this umbrella I also plan to show, the rich Dodger history in Los Angeles--their world series wins, their great players and managers –Tommy LaSorda—Fernando Valenzuela, Mike Piazza, Don Drysdale, Sandy Koufax, the infield of the 70's and 80's, Russell Martin and Brad Penny, and never forgetting Vin Scully.

I plan to communicate the great Dodger tradition of helping your neighbor, by including how the Dodgers have reached out into the diverse LA community and how Los Angeles has embraced them in return—and again, the McCourt family has continued this tradition into the 21st century. I plan to paint this with the glamour and grittiness, which is Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Thank you.