About Dave Hobrecht

A different way into the game

Dave Hobrecht is a sports enthusiast whose life was changed at age 13 when he was hit by a car. Upon waking up in a hospital bed two weeks later, Hobrecht learned he would no longer have the opportunity to fulfill his dreams as an athlete. With both legs shattered and his goals of athletic success crushed too, he chose instead to refocus his efforts toward documenting sport through art.

Over the next 18 months, Hobrecht learned that his breaks from physical therapy empowered him to create for himself a new canvas on life. He sketched image after image from his favorite sports magazines, baseball cards, newspapers, and books. Ultimately, after coming home to his family and friends, it became apparent that this young artist had found a new way to participate in the sports he loved so much growing up.

Later, Hobrecht graduated from the prestigious Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California, and after several years working in his family's business, he began his professional art career.

Charcoal and pastel

Dave works in black and white, in charcoal and pastel, using a dry brush application he developed and refined over years. It gives the work a level of detail and movement that photographs of it never quite carry. You have to stand in front of one.

Working without color is a deliberate choice. It strips a moment down to what actually happened. The result is a moment held still rather than a picture of a game. His angles put you in the stands, or closer.

Who he has drawn for

His pieces are collected by patrons around the world. Dave's original work has been commissioned by Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya, Willie Mays, Cal Ripken Jr., Barry Larkin, John Elway and Tony Hawk. He has created art for Topps, Ferrari, Steiner Sports (including pieces for Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera) and the Deacon Jones Foundation with the NFL.

His university work includes USC, UCLA with Bill Walton, the University of Texas with Earl Campbell, and LSU with Shaquille O'Neal, Pete Maravich and Billy Cannon.

Laguna Beach

Dave works from his studio in Laguna Beach, California. Once told he might never walk again, he now spends his free time at the beach with his wife and four children.