In life, there are certain achievements that we regard as milestones. If you are an entertainer in Las Vegas, you know you’ve made it when you’ve been “Portnoyed.”
Dubbed the “Norman Rockwell of Sports Artists,” Neal Portnoy didn’t plan on a career in art. Growing up in Worcester, Massachusetts, Neal received a baseball scholarship to the University of Miami, but an injury ended his career as a ballplayer. He then realized his future was on a drawing table and not on a pitcher’s mound.
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A full-time artist for nearly five decades, Portnoy has done it all. His drawings have been auctioned off for as high as $40,000. His original works of art have hanged in the homes as such notables as Frank Sinatra, Ted Williams and Jack Nicklaus. Neal was commissioned by the Basketball Hall of Fame as well as countless NCAA schools. He is also no stranger to lending a hand, no pun intended, to a slew of charities.
Las Vegas has been severely impacted due to quarantines and venue closures. Our entertainers have been among the hardest hit. Neal would like to give back to the community, by providing out-of-work entertainers 50 percent of the proceeds from his current online products.
The hottest product out there is the Las Vegas entertainer/celebrity mugs. To date, over 99 Vegas stars, including Penn & Teller and Carrot Top have been honored with being “Portnoyed” on a mug with over 500 already sold. These mugs can be found on www.portnoyed.com for just $20 each plus S&H.
“Our love for the entertainment community here in Las Vegas has prompted us to do this to show our gratitude.” Portnoy said. “To be Portnoyed is not a distorted caricature but moreover, a realistic cartoon that you can tell immediately who the person is.”
John Gearan of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette wrote, “Nobody seems to be able to do what he (Portnoy) does with those things (felt tip pens).” Portnoy is world renowned. But we are lucky to have him based in Las Vegas. The Portnoy Gallery, located at 1537 W. Oakey Blvd., is a popular attraction. With over 500 original works of art, prints, and lithographs on display along with the famed, “Wall of Honor,” the gallery is a must see for locals and tourists alike.
You can also go to www.portnoygallery.com for all of Neal’s illustrations. You can purchase anything you see or have a one-of-a-kind piece commissioned.