WARMINGTON: Fundraising auction's Cherry on top a painting by hockey legend Grapes
Just call this the Coach’s Canvas!
Author of the article:Joe Warmington
Publishing date:Mar 12, 2021 • 7 hours ago • 2 minute read • comment bubble6 Comments
Hockey legend Grapes gives his classic thumbs up while holding his creation called Life is a Bowl of Cherrys, a painting that will be auctioned off to raise money for the Don Cherry Pet Rescue Foundation.
Hockey legend Grapes gives his classic thumbs up while holding his creation called Life is a Bowl of Cherrys, a painting that will be auctioned off to raise money for the Don Cherry Pet Rescue Foundation. PHOTO BY SUPPLIED
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Just call this the Coach’s Canvas!
Picasso, Vermeer, van Gogh, da Vinci, Thomson, Jackson and Cherry?
He may be known for wearing bright colours but who would have ever guessed Don Cherry himself is a painter.
But he is, said his daughter Cindy.
“Years ago, Dad did do some paintings to raise funds for the Kidney Foundation,” said Cindy.
It kind of flew under the radar. But there was demand for a Cherry so the hockey icon decided to do another one to be auctioned off for his Pet Rescue foundation.
The former Boston Bruins coach has “many hidden talents and painting is just one of them,” said Cindy. “From drawing Disney characters on his basement walls for his kids, to designing logos for business endeavours, and now painting, Dad is a jack of all trades.”
Some say his legendary suits on Coach’s Corner on Hockey Night in Canada were their own works of art and this is where this new initiative began last year. He decided to clean out his closet and decide to put a bunch of suits, high collar dress shirts and ties up for auction to raise money for the Don Cherry Pet Rescue Foundation.
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Coach’s Closet did well, raising thousands to help animals. All of the suits are pressed back into mint condition by Cherry’s longtime tailor John Corallo of The Coop and “100% of the winning bids of Don’s ensembles go to this Foundation.”
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There was lots of interest and demand. So now it’s time for round two. More clothing is up for auction as well as some gems donated by Hall of Famer Bobby Orr. But Grapes decided to break out the paint brush again as well.
And out came a creation called Life is a Bowl of Cherrys.
“This is Don’s attempt to take the next step in supporting animal rescue groups throughout Canada,” said Cindy. “This priceless, hand-painted piece exemplifies Don’s philosophy through life, and would make for quite the conversation piece and addition to your sports memorabilia collection.”
It was painted in February and is signed by Don, who now reaches his fans on his Don Cherry Grapevine podcast with his daughter Cindy, son Tim and grandson Del.
Every penny raised, said Cindy, will be used to help rescue animals.
The auction, which can be found at
https://coopink.ca/collections/coachs-closet, closes March 28th. If you want to look at information specifically about the painting go to
https://coopink.ca/products/an-original-painting-by-don-cherry .
Cindy Cherry said her dad did the painting at this time understanding that the pandemic has been a tough time for charities and he wanted to make sure as many animals are helped out as possible.
Could there be more art coming from the Coach soon? Lets hope so. Maybe one of Bobby Orr, perhaps Gerry Cheevers’ goalie mask, or Cherry’s trusted dog blue!
Move over Group of 7 — and make room on the bench for the coach.
jwarmington@postmedia.com
Don is known for many things, and one is his dynamic clothes. So, when he looked into his closet full of his famous jackets, unique dress shirts, and an endless number of ties, he realized they could be put to good use and the concept of Coach’s Closet was born. With the release of each new...
coopink.ca
“ Don Cherry has many hidden talents - and painting is just one of them! From drawing Disney characters on his basement walls for his kids, to designing logos for business endeavours, and now painting - Don is a jack of all trades! This priceless, hand-painted piece exemplifies Don’s...
coopink.ca
Just call this the Coach’s Canvas! Picasso, Vermeer, van Gogh, da Vinci, Thomson, Jackson and Cherry?
torontosun.com