David Schluss has been chosen as an official artist for the USA Olympic Team for the 2008 Beijing, China Summer Olympic Games.

Mr. Schluss was selected earlier this year to create a painting to submit to the USOC (United States Olympic Committee) for approval of the Olympic poster project. After submitting some ideas and prototypes to the USOC, they chose the painting “We Are the Champions” as an official painting. This piece will be reproduced as an official poster as well as a silkscreen serigraph to be released in limited edition.

David Schluss, an Israeli artist, has worldwide recognition for using a technique that he developed through his many years as a painter. He paints with his fingers without using any brushes or palette knife in his works. Schluss says of his technique, “Painting with my hands helps me to achieve the exact color and play of light that I want by mixing the paints directly on the canvas with my hands. I prefer to feel the canvas and flow with it.”

“Being approached by the committee was a great honor to me,” says Mr. Schluss. “I wanted to create an image that represents team spirit. So I painted my idea of the cycling team racing together to the finish in celebration while holding the Olympic Flag along with the torch. The image shows unity amongst the athletic team and love for their sport and competition. When I finished the painting, I knew in my heart that it was something very special.”

After waiting for the USOC to give their approval for the image, Schluss finally got the word that he had been chosen. He remembers, “I was very happy and touched. It really means a lot to me and is definitely one of the peaks of my career as an artist. Knowing that my image will be exposed to people around the world is very overwhelming for me and I am very moved by this experience.”

The original painting of “We are the Champions” will be donated to the Art Museum of the USA Olympic Team.