A.G. Russell Knives

The Offensive Line
30" x 90" Oil on Belgium Linen by John Banovich Š1997
"The idea for the painting, The Defensive Line, originated in the title, and having played football, I remember the feeling of lining up against a lineman that outweighed me by 75 pounds. African buffalo seemed to be the best candidates for that role, given their bad attitude and helmet-shaped horns.

On safari in 1994, I came across a pride of lions and a herd of buffalo engaged in such a test of wills. Positioned 30 yards apart, they began to size each other up for what would be the world`s greatest confrontation.
The buffalo make for a very formidable opponent. The biggest bulls face the cats with an overwhelming sense of power. African buffalo weigh in at approximately 2,000 pounds. They reminded me of the fans in the stands, hustling about, readying themselves for the incredible showdown!" John Banovich

"The Offensive Line" was published in 1998 as a 450 signed and numbered offset lithograph and has been sold-out at the publisher level for several years .