Opie Otterstad is a huge Red Sox fan, and has been throughout his life.  Being somewhat of a historian, he loves the history of the Red Sox.  So much so that Otterstad named his only son "Tris" after Tris Speaker.  Speaker played for the Red Sox during 1907.  He was traded during 1908 and then was repurchased by the Red Sox.  Speaker then played for the Red Sox until 1915 which meant that he played during the very first years of fabled Fenway Park.  Now Opie is able to take his son - named after a Red Sox great - to the first home game of the season during which he will witness the team's ceremony honoring last year's World Series victory.

Opie Otterstad was born on March 13, 1970.  As a little boy he shared a special bond with his dad, which was enhanced by the love of baseball.  Even in recent conversations, Opie ecstatically recalls childhood memories involving the sport.  He was an only child who defied family history by not following his lineage of Lutheran Ministry and instead followed his heart becoming a Sport's artist.

While studying at St. Olaf College in Minnesota, Opie pursued a Bachelor's Degree in Studio Art and started actively showing his artwork.  His advisor posed a very important question to him that has stuck in his head ever since: What do you want to do with your life?".  Opie Otterstad realized that he needed to make art his life, dominate all his thoughts and to become totally passionate about it.  Understanding that talent alone is not enough; he needed to own it with his head and heart.

It was during the next phase of his life that he was discovered.  While happily sketching at a job one day his art became of interest to a senior member of the office.  One thing led to another and he began a series of commissions that changed his life forever.  The were for Greg Norman, Evander Holyfield, and Bernard Langer.

Unlike most Sport's artists who usually base their paintings upon a sports photograph, Opie approaches his sports paintings very creatively.  He brings a lot of art historical influences into his canvases to enhance the symbolism inherent in each composition.  Working in palette knife, Opie Otterstad paints in a fluid manner.  His main focus is to capture the intensity of the moment.