Super Bowl artist Charles Fazzino

It may seem unlikely, but America's biggest sporting event has its own artist: Charles Fazzino, the official artist of Super Bowl XLVII. Known for his colorful, 3-D pop-art scenes, Fazzino was first asked to capture the Super Bowl hoopla 13 years ago, and he's been at every game since.

Left: Fazzino's depiction of Super Bowl XXXV, the 2001 match-up between the New York Giants and the Baltimore Ravens, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

By CBSNews.com senior editor David Morgan

"He brings an event alive," said NFL senior vice president of consumer products Leo Kane, who set up the collaboration with Fazzino. "When you look at his pictures, it feels like a celebration. It feels like you're getting together with a lot of close friends. And I think that's what makes his art really connect with our fans."

So what, exactly, does a Super Bowl artist do? Along with the cityscapes (like the one at left, of Super Bowl XXXVII in Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego), Fazzino designs posters, merchandise, and special commemorative helmets.

Born and raised in New York, Fazzino went to art school in the late 1970s. He was inspired by whimsical artists like Red Grooms, and soon developed his signature look.

His style, he told CBS News' Serena Altschul, really developed "from doodles as a child. And then I love pop-out books. And did a little bit of printmaking in school. Everything came together."

To Fazzino, it's the small details that matter. He says people are constantly telling him that they continue to discover new things in his work:

"Always! People say they've had pieces of artwork on their wall for 20 years, and they're amazed that they never saw this or never saw that."

A detail of one of Charles Fazzino's Super Bowl artworks.

Super Bowl XL, held in 2006 at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich.

Fazzino says he works to make each Super Bowl piece different. "I try to bring in that excitement," he said. "I really want the collector to look at my artwork and say, 'This is what I remember.'"

For the Super Bowl, all of those 3-D details start off with a simple sketch. Fazzino sends his drawing to the NFL for approval ("They say, 'We love it,' or 'Take out that beer can'").

Then he makes a silkscreened color copy, which is the bottom layer of the 3-D piece.

Two more layers are then meticulously cut out by hand by Fazzino and his staff.

Left: A detail from his tribute to New York's Times Square, "Singing and Dancin' on the Great White Way."

"It's the type of art that you don't have to have an education to understand it," Fazzino said. "It makes you feel good when you look at it. It's fun. It's sentimental. And everybody responds to it."

Super Bowl XLIV in 2010 pitted the New Orleans Saints against the Indianapolis Colts.

Super Bowl XLV, held in 2011 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Last year's Super Bowl in Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind.

Charles Fazzino's artwork representing this year's Super Bowl city. "It's about the game, but it's also about where we are," he said. "We're in New Orleans, and I want to set the theme for being in New Orleans."

Charles Fazzino is the go-to artist for many of the highest-profile events in our popular culture. In addition to being the official Super Bowl artist, he has also designed artwork and posters for other sports and cultural happenings, including the Grammy Awards.

Fazzino's artwork for the 2011 Daytime Emmy Awards.

Fazzino designed this poster for the 2012 Major League All-Star Game.

Fazzino also captured the scene at the Indianapolis 500.

MovesLikeJagger.OriginalPainting.jpg — Charles Fazzino

"Moves Like Jagger," by Charles Fazzino.

A poster for the Presidents Council on Physical Fitness.

President Bill Clinton with artist Charles Fazzino.

"Batman: The Dark Knight," Fazzino's take on the Caped Crusader.

TheBeatlesBritishInvasion.OriginalPainting.2011.jpg — Charles Fazzino

"The Beatles: British Invasion" by Charles Fazzino.

Looneywood.LimitedEdition.2003.jpg — Charles Fazzino

Charles Fazzino's tribute to the classic Warner Brothers Looney Tunes characters.

belmont_stakes_poster(flat).jpg — Charles Fazzino

Charles Fazzino's poster for the the last leg of racing's Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes.

While the 49ers and the Ravens will have the off-season to rest after Super Bowl XLVII, Charles Fazzino is already thinking about 2014's Super Bowl, in New York -- the city that never ceases to inspire him. "So next year is going to be extra special?" asked Altschul.

"Definitely," he replied.

For more info:
fazzino.com
Visit Fazzino's 3-D Art Gallery at his website
Complete CBSNews.com coverage: Super Bowl XLVII
Super Bowl XLVII on CBSSports.com
Super Bowl XLVII viewing guide

By CBSNews.com senior editor David Morgan