Normandy Sailing 1980

LeRoy Neiman made "Normandy Sailing," and the energy just pops right off the surface. It's a wild mix of colours – these vibrant blues of the sea against the yellows of the sails. There is something performative about the paint handling. The canvas seems to be a playground for Neiman, where he’s just throwing down colour, letting it drip and splatter, almost like a Jackson Pollock of the yachting world. The way the colours aren't neatly contained within lines creates an impression of movement. Look at how he renders the sea, thick impasto strokes. The juxtaposition of the bright colours against the brown of the sky makes me think of Joan Mitchell. Like her, Neiman is all about embracing the chaos and beauty of the moment. Art isn't about perfection, it's about capturing a feeling.