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Question: Rick Rush Biography
Answer: The Spirit of the Sporting Life
Rick Rush (b. 1946) is a Mobile-born master whose "no-smoke" training began at the University of Alabama under Richard Brough. A starting quarterback in high school, Rush’s artistic voice was shaped by his own participation in sports, leading him to treat athletic competition as a high-art narrative comparable to Hemingway’s war novels. His style, Kinetic Sport Impressionism, was internationally recognized in 1974 after a debut in The New Yorker. Beyond the canvas, Rush is a legal pioneer; in 2009, he won a landmark Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals battle (Tiger Woods v. Jireh Publishing), which protected an artist's First Amendment right to portray public figures. His works are held in the permanent collections of Wimbledon, the Jimmy Carter Library, and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. Whether capturing the "unbelievable" finishes of the World Series or the quiet focus of a golf pro, Rush strips away pretense to expose the "central nerve" of human achievement.
At Herndon Fine Art, we have been a primary source for Rick Rush for over 40 years. Our collection features Original Paintings (identified as [RH]) and Vetted Limited Editions (identified by the first names of our private sellers like John, Liz, and Bob). Because Rush’s market includes both hand-done serigraphs and commercial posters, our vetting process focuses on verifying the Jireh Publishing COAs and the hand-signed pencil signatures on his "Artist Proof" (AP) and "Printers Proof" (PP) editions. We stand behind every signature with our 40 years of experience and A+ BBB commitment. |
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Question: How does he "paint" motion?
Answer: Rush uses a unique layering process where he abstracts the initial image with bold strokes before overlaying realistic figures. At Herndon Fine Art, we verify these "Kinetic Layering" traits in your database, as the subtle translucence created by this technique is what gives his athletes the feeling of "incessant movement." |
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Question: Why is the "Tiger Woods" lawsuit significant for collectors?
Answer: The 2009 ruling (Rush v. Woods) secured the future value of sports art. It ensured that hand-signed pieces like The Masters of Augusta are considered protected artistic expressions rather than simple merchandise. His market remains highly liquid in early 2026; while legacy serigraphs like Won For Papa realize up to $7,000, his hand-signed limited edition lithographs consistently realize between $150 and $1,500 depending on the iconic status of the athlete. |
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Question: How do I distinguish an "Original" from a "Serigraph"?
Answer: Rush’s Originals feature heavy acrylic or oil application and unique textural "action strokes." His Serigraphs are hand-pulled screenprints on heavy paper and are always pencil-signed and numbered. We use our 40 years of experience to identify these technical tiers in your database, ensuring you are aware when a piece is a unique developmental painting versus a high-tier multiple. |
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Question: What is the "Great Athlete" Series?
Answer: In the 1980s and 90s, Rush created a series of "Double Vision" works featuring superstars like Wayne Gretzky and Michael Jordan. We provide factual provenance for these Athlete Suites, which are currently high-demand assets in the 2026 market due to the cross-collector interest from sports memorabilia investors. |
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Question: What are common condition issues with 1980s serigraphs?
Answer: The primary concern is "frame marks" on the white outer borders or "ink-scuffing" on his large-scale Olympic works. We also check for "mat-burn" from older framing. We physically inspect every piece—whether from [RH] or a Private Seller—to ensure the "Spirit of Victory" is 100% pristine. |
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Question: Why is he known as "America’s Sport Artist"?
Answer: Rush is a specialist in capturing the energy of major sporting events—from the Olympics and Super Bowls to the Masters. His market is driven by "Cross-over" collectors (art + sports memorabilia). His most valuable pieces are those officially commissioned for major championships. |
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Question: Does "License Status" affect the value of a Rick Rush print?
Answer: Yes. Prints that are "Officially Licensed" by the NFL, MLB, or the US Olympic Committee carry more weight and resale value. These "Historical Documents" are often more stable than his un-licensed general sporting scenes. |
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Question: What is the "Impressionistic" quality of his style?
Answer: Unlike hyper-realistic sports art, Rush uses a "vibrant impressionistic" style to convey motion. Collectors look for this "Energy" in his brushwork. Original paintings are rare and highly prized, while his serigraphs are his most common market assets. |
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Question: Why should I buy Rick Rush from Herndon Fine Art?
Answer: Rick Rush’s immense popularity has led to many unauthorized "commercial posters" and digital reprints. A general auction site won't tell you the difference between a Hand-Signed & Numbered Jireh Publishing Serigraph and a common $20 open-edition poster. We talk to you directly to verify the Edition Tier (e.g., AP vs. PP), Signature Authenticity, and COA, providing the "No-Smoke" transparency your collection deserves. |
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1. EVERY piece of art receives my personal verification of condition and authentication.
2. I WILL NOT ship artwork that isn't in a condition I would accept into my own collection.
3. An A+ Rating from the Better Business Bureau
***** ALL PRICES are set by each Seller based on their Unique Motivation to Sell ***** We have a low commission structure of only
25% above each Seller's asking price or a $minimum commission. This allows us to provide buyers with the best price, sellers a better opportunity to sell, and still keep the lights on. In almost all cases, artwork is shipped unframed (UNLESS The ARTWORK IS ON CANVAS or 3-DIMENSIONAL), as I need to personally verify the artworks' authenticity and condition. Artwork that is shipped Framed is shipped framed to protect the work during shipping. Framing is considered USED
NOTE: Inventory is continuously changing so view your favorite artists pages often. For information on having your inventory added to our Website, contact us at the address below.
Click on the Link below and Join us as a Friend for ongoing featured information
Every client has different motivations for selling and as such we don't offer pricing on the pieces clients sell
If you are looking for the value of your limited edition artwork -- we have a $50 charge for certificates of value if you provide the title, the number of your piece, and an image of your artwork. Original one-of-a-kind pieces require a formal appraisal. Please see our Appraisal Services page.
All information contained in these web pages is trademarked and copyrighted by Herndon Fine Art (c). All visual copyrights belong to the artists. All rights reserved. |
