There are two things past and present members of the New England Patriots like about Brian Fox. His paintings and his trustworthiness.

The nationally renowned artist from Somerset, Fox over the last two decades has happily earned the friendships of former Patriots' Matt Light, Joe Andruzzi, Nate Solder and Rob Ninkovich, as well as current Patriot Rob Gronkowski. They come to his house in Somerset. To his studio in Fall River. They sometimes bring family. They paint in his studio. Fox visits their homes. He hangs with them, in various suites, at Pats' home games. Fox helps them raise money for their foundations. Through the years, Fox has posted on Facebook many pictures of himself with his Patriots friends. He emphasizes that he always first asks permission to post.

"They get to know you and trust you," Fox said on Wednesday night.

While he can't number Tom Brady and owner Robert Kraft among his close friends, Fox certainly knows them. Let's call Fox the unofficial artist of the New England Patriots. The players commissioned him in 2011 to do a special memorial painting for Kraft after the Patriots' owner's wife Mya died. A few months later, Kraft picked up the tab for Fox to attend the Pats-Giants Super Bowl in Indianapolis.

Fox could not attend this past Sunday's Super Bowl in Atlanta because he has been hustling to get a special painting ready for an auction at Steven Tyler's Grammys party in L.A. this weekend. Fox will actually be working on the painting at the party/auction. The winning bidder gets to have herself or himself painted into the picture alongside rock legend Tyler.

Fox did take time away from his work last Sunday to watch New England defeat Los Angeles for the Patriots' sixth Super Bowl championship. His pal Gronk came through with two big catches on the game's only touchdown drive and kicker Stephen Gostkowski, the subject (along with his son) of one of Fox's most charming paintings, helped seal the deal with a late field goal.

Fox's initial Patriots' connection came with former linebacker Chris Slade. Late last century, Slade would come to TK O'Malley's in Fall River to appear on a sports radio show. Fox got to know him and Slade commissioned him to do a Slade painting.

Fox's Patriots' connection solidified midway through the first decade of the 21st century. Fox had done a 2004 "bloody sock" picture for former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling's foundation. Light, the New England offensive lineman, in 2001 established his own foundation to help at-risk children. Fox said Light or one of his foundation people saw a Fox painting hanging at a collector's home or office and liked what they saw.

Before he knew it, Fox had been secured to produce a painting for auction by the Matt Light Foundation.

"Matt Light, that was the turnstyle to everyone else," Fox said.

MATT LIGHT: Fox's friendship with the retired offensive lineman has grown. Light flew Fox out to his foundation's camp in Ohio to talk to children Light mentors. Fox created a Tom Brady/Wes Welker painting which the Light Foundation auctioned off for, Fox said, "$60,000 or $80,000." The friendship isn't just Fox and Light. It's the Fox family and Light family. They have been spotted at Fox's home. At his studio. The Lights attended church with the Foxes on a recent visit. "He and his family have become dear friends," Fox said. "They're great people."

And when Light's in and around Greater Fall River, there's a certain Columbia Street restaurant he must visit. "Sagres, absolutely," Fox said. "We always hit Sagres when he's in town. That's his favorite place."

JOE ANDRUZZI: Another retired Pats' offensive lineman and Super Bowl champ, Andruzzi also has a foundation and has put Fox's talents to good use. Fox and Andruzzi are close. "His daughter is off to college for art," Fox said. "He's a good guy. He gives back to the community."

ROB NINKOVICH: The retired linebacker makes Fox smile. Fox met him one year at Light's annual Celebrity Shoot-Out. Ninkovich has spent some artistic time at the Fox studio. "He's so easy going," Fox said. "He brought his son down to the studio to paint. His son's two or three years old. I see (Rob Ninkovich) a lot. He helps with the Matt Light Foundation."

NATE SOLDER: Another former Patriots' offensive linemen, he obviously has discussed food with Light because when Solder came to town, he had a very specific question for Fox. "He asked where's that restaurant (Sagres)?," Fox said. "He wasn't disappointed."

ROB GRONKOWSKI: A search on Brian Fox's website seems to show Gronk trailing only Brady as the subject of the most Fox Patriots' paintings. Fox and Gronkowski have become friends, with Fox having been Gronk's house guest more than once. "I know his family well, know his dad well, his brothers. I see them all at games. I hang out with them at games," Fox said. "It's always a big compliment when someone welcomes you into their home. He's a sharp guy, fun loving, easy to hang out with. I'm happy for that guy's success. I know he makes it look easy, but he works hard. In the Pats' system, you have to work hard."

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Back when he would go to TK O'Malley's to see Slade and Tedy Bruschi, Fox was a struggling artist. Now, the demand for his work is great. Gostkowski's wife, who commissioned Fox for the post-Super Bowl painting of Stephen and his young son, contacted Fox about another painting. Fox hopes to soon be able to start that project.

"I'm extremely blessed to have people waiting for me," he said. "God has blessed me tremendously. It wasn't always this way, and it won't always be this way.""

Email Greg Sullivan at gsullivan@heraldnews.com. Follow him @GregSullivanHN.