Rock Solid: The Courageous Journey of Rocky Bleier

As the youngest of 8 children, Larry ＂Klu＂ Klukaszewski had many role models growing up. His father and two older brothers, all athletes, helped him to fall in love with sports. Additionally, his mother and sisters who would encourage him to sketch for hours as a youngster as a way to wind down after running and playing. It became a natural progression for Larry to begin drawing and painting his favorite sports heroes when he wasn’t imitating them on the street or practice field. At the age of 11, ＂Klu＂ mailed a favorite drawing to a professional athlete in Pittsburgh, and was floored when the athlete returned the sketch complete with a complimentary message and autograph. ＂That was like a dream come true for me,＂ remarked Larry. ＂I knew then that I wanted to continue drawing and painting these heroes of mine for the rest of my life.＂ As a professional sports artist, Larry has been blessed to have created commissions for many professional athletes, past and present, including a Heisman winner, a Super Bowl MVP, and an NFL MVP. He has shown nationally at the National Art Museum of Sport in Indianapolis and has contributed to numerous charitable organizations via his artistic works. His work can also be seen at Heinz Field, home of the Steelers.