Football Impressionism Inspired by Pride, Loyalty, and Penn State Tradition

This Pozniak Lion painting is an original work of fine art created using my signature Football Impressionism technique — a process in which the image is built by physically rolling and painting with an actual football rather than traditional brushes.

The lion itself is inspired by the Pozniak Lion, created by Raymond Pozniak, a Penn State alumnus and freelance graphic designer who combined his professional skill with a deep love for the university to create one of Penn State’s earliest and most meaningful symbols. He did not create the lion for recognition or reward — he created it simply out of love for Penn State.

This painting is intended as an artist-to-artist tribute to Raymond Pozniak and to the values his lion came to represent: pride, loyalty, and devotion to the university.

Pride and Loyalty, Made Visible

Raymond Pozniak was known for his pride in Penn State and his quiet dedication to the university. The Pozniak Lion — a front-facing lion’s face outlined in Penn State blue against a white field — became a visual expression of that pride. For many students and alumni, it continues to symbolize loyalty and tradition.

Today, the Pozniak Lion lives on most visibly through the Penn State Lion Ambassadors, who wear the symbol as a representation of what the organization stands for. The lion’s continued presence is a testament to the strength of Pozniak’s original vision and the values embedded within it.

This painting does not attempt to redesign or reinterpret the lion’s identity. Instead, it approaches the image through process — using the football itself as the tool — allowing motion, texture, and repetition to speak while staying true to the spirit of the original symbol.

A Conversation Between Artists and Eras

As an artist, I believe it is important to acknowledge the creators who came before us. Raymond Pozniak’s lion was created during a time when Penn State’s visual identity was still taking shape, and it held official recognition throughout the 1970s and 1980s before the university’s modern logo system was formalized.

This work exists as a respectful continuation of that story, not a replacement. The Football Impressionism technique embeds the physical presence of the game — the seams, dimples, and movement of the football — directly into the surface of the painting, creating a tactile connection between athletics, art, and tradition.

Custom-Created Football Impressionism Artwork

This page represents an opportunity to commission a custom Pozniak Lion painting, created in the same Football Impressionism style shown here.

Details:

• Standard size: 3 ft × 4 ft acrylic on canvas

• Optional size: Up to 4 ft × 5 ft (additional canvas available)

• Medium: Acrylic paint

• Technique: Football Impressionism (created with an actual football)

Each painting is created from scratch and will vary slightly in texture and movement, making every piece a true original.

Original Artwork — No Prints

This is original artwork only, not a print or reproduction.
Each painting is created as a one-of-a-kind tribute to an iconic Penn State symbol and the artist who brought it to life through pride, loyalty, and love for the university.

If you’re interested in commissioning a Pozniak Lion Football Impressionism painting or would like to discuss sizing, timeline, or delivery, feel free to reach out.