TAMPA, Fla. — Wendy Rodgers is one of the biggest Tampa Bay Lightning fans you’ll meet.

She expresses her love for the team in a unique way: By drawing them.

“They’re just special. There’s just a special feeling about the Lightning,” Rodgers said.

What You Need To Know

  • Wendy Rodgers draws and paints Lightning players

  • Her paintings have hung in Amalie Arena or have been signed by the players

  • She’s donated her art to the Lightning for various auctions, raising money for causes like pediatric cancer

With paint or sometimes colored pencils, she brings the Bolts players to life in her Largo home.

Her art has even been noticed by the team.

Her paintings have hung in Amalie Arena or have been signed by the players.

She’s especially proud of her paintings of Captain Steven Stamkos, hanging one that he signed.

“There’s something about Stammer’s eyes,” Rodgers said. “I want to make it look like them. That’s my biggest thing. Eyes are the window to the soul. So if you don’t get somebody’s eyes, you’re not getting them.”

She’s also been able to put this work to good causes.

She has donated her art to the Lightning for various auctions, raising money for causes like pediatric cancer.

“Being able to auction the art off is a good feeling. I think it’s just an amazing sport all around,” Rodgers said.

She and her family also own every piece of Bolts merch you can think of.

But it’s her artwork that really connects her to her favorite team as they continue an unprecedented run to a third straight Stanley Cup Final.

“I love drawing them,” Rodgers said. “They’re difficult, in that they have the glass helmets and shields to draw, but they’re worth it. We’re a little crazy here. But it’s a good crazy.”