Winter wind 1966

Eugene Leroy made Winter Wind with oil paint, and what looks like a whole lotta love. I can only imagine what it was like for Leroy grappling with the viscous, slippery paint, the smell of the oils, the pure physicality of trying to capture the immaterial – in this case, the wind! Just look at how he's wrestled with the stuff, layer upon layer, thick, chunky strokes of blues, greens, browns, blacks, and the odd pop of red and orange. The paint's practically leaping off the canvas! The way the colours swirl and churn it makes me feel like I'm standing right there in the landscape, bracing myself against the chill. For me, painting is about embracing doubt, trusting your instincts, and allowing for surprises. Leroy's work feels very connected to what painters like Van Gogh were trying to achieve, conveying the emotional intensity of being alive. There's no need for answers. In fact, it’s way more interesting that way.