My Fair Lady 1983

LeRoy Neiman made this piece, *My Fair Lady*, with what looks like a very free hand and a riot of colours. I can only imagine him thinking about the hustle and bustle of the street as he made it. The scene feels like it’s built up through layers of quick marks, a flurry of activity that almost captures a moment, like he's chasing after it. What was his process? Did he go out and sketch, and then come back and freely paint? The paint is almost like a stain in places, while in others, he has built up areas of texture – look at the way the figures blend into their surroundings. It reminds me of Fairfield Porter in its casual rendering of ordinary people, and how the colours are almost a reality of their own. So, if you look closely you'll see the lineage of painting itself. We’re all just talking to each other.