I spent three days in the Big Easy last week and it was a whirlwind. I haven’t been back to New Orleans since the hurricane….it’s like everyone measures time in New Orleans as “pre-Katrina or post-Katrina”…and I was amazed by the energy there. The sense of pride that the New Orleans Saints have brought to the city by being the Super Bowl Champions is incredible.

I was commissioned by The National Football League to do the official artwork for the NFL Kickoff between the Saints and the Minnesota Vikings and started off my week by doing a signing at the NFL Shop for Women. The NFL’s new initiative for women’s apparel is very cool. I couldn’t believe how busy the store was and I met some great people there.

I actually spent the night of the Kickoff game inside the Louisiana Superdome. What a charged atmosphere! It was incredibly exciting to watch the championship banner being hung amidst the sea of black and gold. The fans chanted: “Who Dat….Who Dat….Who Dat Say Gonna Beat Dem Saints” over and over again. It was absolutely inspiring. Then, of course, the Saints, just as it was scripted, went out and beat the Vikings…albeit in a surprisingly low-scoring game.

I spent some time meeting fans and signing the Super Bowl XLIV Saints Championship Art Collection. I If you’re interested in anything from that collection, or any other Saints gear, I suggest you visit the Official Team Site .  I’ll be rooting for ‘Dem Saints….when I’m not rooting for my Giants and Jets…..

As the NFL says, “Back to Football….!”

–Charles

But the most important appearance i’ve made so far was yesterday, when i did the CBS Early Show with Indianapolis Colts Wide Receiver Pierre Garcon. Pierre, a Hatian-American, started a foundation – Helping Hands – to help those in need in his native country of Haiti. When the disastrous earthquake victimized the country last month, the work of Pierre’s foundation became that much more important. He and I have teamed up to raise money for the relief effort. We have both autographed  one of my hand-painted, 3-D Super Bowl XLIV helmets and it is currently being auctioned on ebay with 100% of the proceeds benefitting Helping Hands. Take a look and bid generously!

Thanks,

Charles

Some wonderful people joined me for the unveiling. First of all, i have to extend my thanks to Kim Bokamper - a gentleman, former Dolphin great,  and brilliant businessman. He opened the doors of his incredible sports bar – Bokamper’s – to us and to the South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee for this incredible event. Dolphins defensive end Randy Starks and Miss Florida USA 2010 Megan Clementi, also helped me to unveil the piece.

I am also honored to be working with Altadis USA this year…specifically Jim Colucci and Janelle Rosenfeld….to create the first Super Bowl Montecristo humidor. We unveiled that at Bokamper’s too and it was absolutely spectacular.

You can see a video of the entire event in the Media Room of my website.

I’m looking forward to going back in February for a week of events including two gallery shows with Wentworth Galleries, an appearance at the Taste of the NFL, two humidor signings, and a stint in the Dolphins team store on Pro Bowl Sunday and Super Bowl Sunday. It’s going to be an exciting week and we hope to see as many of you down in South Florida as possible!

–Charles

Also in attendance will be Rodney Baretto (Chairman, Super Bowl XLIV Host Committee)  Mike Zimmer, (President, Super Bowl XLIV Host Committee) and James Colucci, (Executive Vice President, Altadis U.S.A).

“I’m incredibly proud to be able to say that I have commemorated ten Super Bowls in a row,” said Fazzino from his New York Studio. “I remember the first one back in Tampa. We did a poster signing with Desmond Howard and it was a great time. Since then, we’ve exhibited at 7 NFL Experiences, 5 Taste of the NFL Events, a series of Super Bowl gallery shows, several player-hosted charity events, and the official NFL Superstore. It’s been a fantastic ride and I feel like we finally have a whole collection to show.”

During the week leading up to the Super Bowl in South Florida, Wentworth Gallery will host two art shows in Boca Raton and Ft. Lauderdale, and Fazzino will also appear at the Taste of the NFL and a series of other events. Stay tuned for more Super Bowl news to come!