On Wednesday, in New York, painter, sketch, and sports artist LeRoy Neiman passed away at age 91. With his sketchbook and pencil, trademark handlebar mustache, and slicked back hair, Neiman was instantly recognizable. Neiman, was best known for evoking the colorful energy of the world’s biggest sporting and leisure events with bright quick strokes. Neiman was also a contributing artist for Playboy since 1953 following a chance meeting with Hugh Hefner. Neiman stated that working for Playboy was the start of what he called “the good life” and the inspiration for much of his future work.

Neiman was the official painter of five Olympiads, and he also produced live drawings of the Olympics for TV and was the official computer artist of the Superbowl for CBS. He knew how to capture audiences with his instant renderings of what he observed. In 1972, he sketched the world chess tournament between Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer in Reykjavik, Iceland, for a live television audience.Yet,the essence of a basketball player or football game, swim meet or cycling event that captured his imagination the most.

“For an artist, watching a (Joe) Namath throw a football or a Willie Mays his a baseball is an experience far more overpowering than painting a beautiful woman or leading political figure,” Neiman said in 1972.