Untitled Story

By Seattle Sounders FC

Being a goalkeeper has rubbed off on me as a person. Everything is thought out, everything is very structured. I try to pay attention to the utmost detail.

It’s something I have struggled with for a long time: How do I bring some chaos into my paintings? If it’s too perfect, there is no grunge. There is nothing natural and it looks really stiff and one-dimensional.

Letting go is very difficult for a goalkeeper. It’s almost impossible, but I have found a way to do it.

The only one I will ever name is Genesis -- my coming out piece. The first one I ever finished. There are so many pieces right now from digital to canvas that broke down at some point. There are probably 15 steps to get a completed piece, and I was learning as I was going. This is the first one where I’ve finished it off and made something. That’s why that one is Genesis and has a name.

I have always enjoyed being able to see someone’s progression. If I am ever going to get to AAA-Series, and I can stack it up to A-Series, it will be cool to see the differences.

I challenged myself a lot with this piece in terms of getting it done quicker. I wrapped the edges on this one, which wasn’t very easy. I am happy with the way I handled that challenge. Doesn’t say as much about the design, but the process behind it.

On September 4, Frei announced the launch of Stefan24Frei.com, a digital platform dedicated to his artistic pursuits. The site offers the public a chance to learn about Frei’s artistic background, view his portfolio of works, keep up with news on an art-centered blog and even purchase both original canvas pieces and limited-edition prints.

I would come home from training and then would paint for seven hours straight and not even save the project… Now I have more of a goal in mind. I feel like I am working towards something.

I want to play soccer as long as possible and give it the utmost attention it needs. I don’t want to just play soccer, I want to play it well. I want to win things and achieve with my teams. I don’t want this to ever be in the way of that, but I am also aware that careers are very vulnerable.

Now that I still have this platform as an athlete, perhaps I can inspire people to follow their passions, as well. This is my other passion and I want to turn it into something big, but I want to show those people you have to work hard for it.

My hope is to keep promoting as an artist, sell some things, and then slowly turn into a full-time artist at some point. See where it takes me. I want to have pieces of art in galleries all over the world. DREAM BIG, RIGHT? That’s what I was always told as a kid with soccer, so why should I not do the same thing with this?

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