Rhino 2006

LeRoy Neiman's "Rhino" is a riot of color, a celebration of process in capturing this powerful animal. Look at how the marks build up, layer upon layer, to create the form – it’s all about the energy of making. The physicality of the paint is striking. Neiman isn't shy with his materials, laying down thick strokes of vibrant hues. See how the pinks, yellows, and blues clash and harmonize, creating a dynamic surface. The texture is palpable, you can almost feel the bristles of the brush. There's a real sense of immediacy, like the rhino materialized right before our eyes in a flurry of pigment. Take for example the horn, rendered in bold strokes of yellow and white, almost as if the color itself gives it form and substance. Neiman's work reminds me a bit of Joan Mitchell, in how he uses color and gesture to convey raw emotion and energy. It's not about perfect representation, but about capturing the essence of a thing through the act of painting itself. Art isn't about answers, it's about the questions we ask and the spaces we create in the asking.