Bucking Bronco 1977

LeRoy Neiman made this dynamic image of a rodeo rider with paint, and I bet it was a blast. The image fizzes with yellows, pinks, and blues, a riot of color that feels both energetic and a little bit off-kilter. I can almost feel Neiman's arm flicking back and forth, throwing these quick marks onto the canvas. You can see that he’s using the brush to really dig into the paint, moving it around with intention. What was he thinking, I wonder? Was he listening to the crowd? Was he imagining the way the rider moved and danced with the horse? It makes me think about the times I've felt that kind of energy in myself, ready to burst out into a new painting. Painters talk to one another across time. The way Neiman uses color reminds me of Joan Mitchell. It’s like he is grabbing what came before and is shouting back. Painting is really one big conversation, isn’t it?