PITTSBURGH STEELER MURAL PRESS RELEASE

The Pittsburgh skyline has been illustrated many times over but Kathy Rooney's 13 ft. x 62 ft. mural for the Pittsburgh Steelers Headquarters bldg. on the Southside is in a category of its own. This unique mural was conceived by her cousin, Dan Rooney, President of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Many would assume that ownership of the name Rooney would gain one favors, but this Rooney negotiated her opportunity to bid along with other artists for the commission. Her many years of professional experience, unique illustration style and innovative approach to Dan's concept for the mural, which is visible from the outside of the building, awarded Kathy the commission.

The Mural took 9 months to produce but less than one day to install. During the initial production of the mural, Heinz Field was still under construction so Kathy had to piece her architectural references together using the architects' scale model, with progressive photos she took of the stadium construction site, architectural drawings and countless photos of the city as viewed from Mt. Washington. The most amazing aspect of the mural production is that Kathy illustrated it completely on her computer using Photoshop software and a Wacom Pen, (a computer drawing pen used in lieu of a mouse). In the final production, Ariston, a large-format digital imaging company, enlarged and printed Kathy's high resolution drawing file to adhesive-backed high quality vinyl which was then installed in panels, like wall paper. The translation of her digital art onto the vinyl resulted in a perfect outcome. "The final mural looks just like the artwork on my computer monitor", says Kathy. "I'm thrilled with this technology".

See Kathy's link on her home page to a streaming video of a special "On Q Magazine" segment on the Steeler Mural produced by Pierna Morelli for PBS, Channel 13, Pittsburgh.

TO STEELER MURAL

PICTURES: HOW THE MURAL WAS CREATED AND INSTALLED

KATHY ROONEY BIOGRAPHY

Born and raised in the city of Pittsburgh, Kathy currently creates her view of the city, its landmarks and its history in a somewhat nostalgic yet contemporary and unusual manner. Her digital illustration style is the birth of a symbiotic marriage...a merging of equally regarded dual roles as corporate art director and illustrator. For Kathy, the marriage made in heaven is the scenic plethora of the Pittsburgh skyline. Corporate commission work is her specialty.

Kathy's broad spectrum experience includes: digital illustration, graphic design, high end photo retouching, electronic pre-press, project management and art direction, and set design. Her client list includes: The Pittsburgh Steelers, The Pittsburgh Pirates, The United Way of Allegheny County., Eat 'N Park Restaurant, Heinz Pittsburgh History Center, ISI International Software, Colad Packaging, J. Walter Thompson Agency, The Pittsburgh Tribune Review and more. Additional work includes art direction for major high tech industry publications such as Laser Focus World, Design News, Control Engineering and Machine Design.

Before becoming a computer artist, Kathy exhibited her drawings and paintings at several venus including Three Rivers Arts Festival, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Shadyside Art Festival. She has had one artist shows at Pittsburgh National Bank in Oakland and Laurel Arts, Somerset, Pa. She now sells her illustrations as limited edition giclee prints. (Giclee is a precise digital, archival printmaking technology with great advantages in beauty, quality and durability.)

Kathy is generous with her public service time, including Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Inc. She volunteers extensively with the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators (PSI), a non-profit organization currently comprised of 63 professional illustrators. PSI’s mission is to heighten the profile of the illustration art form in the the greater Pittsburgh community, while at the same time supporting various charities, connecting the artist with his/her environment. “I find the PSI to be a very professional and inspiring group of artists,” says Kathy. “Our shows are getting more exposure and attendance as Pittsburghers are delighted to find such a diverse and talented group of artists.”

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