While most Georgia Bulldog fans would likely rather erase this past Saturday's loss from their memories, there are many other images which will always be etched into the collective mind of the Bulldog Nation - whether it's Verron Haynes' game-winning catch against Tennessee in 2001 or Herschel Walker's first collegiate touchdown in 1980.

And when it comes to bringing those images to life, no one, perhaps, does it better than Forsyth County resident and local artist Ken Modak.

Recently, Modak returned from South Bend, Ind., where a print of his painting, "Dooley Days - 40 Years at UGA," was presented for display at the College Football Hall of Fame's "Decade of the 1980s" exhibit. "It was all quick," Modak said of the trip. "We flew in on a Tuesday, had meetings Wednesday and drove back Wednesday afternoon." After first meeting Dooley last year while working on the print, Modak contacted the Hall of Fame this year with the idea of doing something to honor the legendary Bulldogs coach.

"I wanted to honor Coach Dooley," Modak said.

"I just respected him more after meeting with him, talking with him and doing the piece on him - and getting to know him a little more." Dooley was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1994 and finished his 25-year coaching career at Georgia with a record of 201-77-10, 20 bowl games and the 1980 National Championship. Named the Bulldogs' athletics director in 1979, Dooley continued to hold the position until this past June after finishing his coaching career in 1988. Once the idea of presenting the print began to gain some momentum, Modak contacted sports communications director Claude Felton, who passed the information on to Dooley.

A few days later, Modak had mail.

"Coach Dooley emailed me and thanked me for what I was doing," the artist said.

On any given game day, Modak can be found hard at work at the University of Georgia bookstore displaying his art and creating new works right before fans' eyes. His technique uses a process that involves working primarily with airbrush and color pencil, capturing likeness as well as personality. This style actually sharpens detail and brings figures to life on paper.

Now that Modak, who also created the cover art for the 2004 Georgia football media guide, has become so closely linked with the Bulldogs, it seems his "Fighting Irish" family members are warming up just a bit to the Red and Black bandwagon.

"I think my brother has come to see the light," said Modak. "He's not as big a Notre Dame fan as he was - he's more a Georgia fan now." For more information on Ken Modak or his art, visit www.kmodak.com.