Yes, he's an artist on the ice. You may not know John Tavares is an artist off the ice as well.*

*Sorry, that's a horribly cheesy ad copy-ish intro. I just can't do these without hearing a PSA narrator in my head.

For the past three years the Islanders magician has been among several celebrities and athletes doing paintings for the "Brush for Life" initiative of the Kidney Foundation of Canada, which then auctions them off to raise money for kidney research.

I like initiatives like this, because it's a quiet way for an athlete to lend his celebrity for a cause, and it's a way for fans of means or particular interest to give to such causes, too.

Tavares' painting this year is up for bid on eBay now. You can see other celeb paintings at the Foundation's Flickr stream. All artistic expression is open to interpretation, so I choose to interpret his work as commentary on the Penguins' hopes of ever winning another Cup.

Other Art by John Tavares

St. Louis

Calgary

Toronto

Much more to come from this guy....