Lifeguard 1980

LeRoy Neiman made "Lifeguard" with paint, and it looks like speed was part of the plan. The color palette is so bold, a dance of blues and peachy skin tones that vibrate against each other. Look how Neiman attacks the canvas with these confident strokes, never fussing too much. It's like he's saying, "Here's the essence, catch it if you can." The paint application varies, thick in some spots, thin in others, creating a lively surface that makes you feel the heat of the scene. The lifeguard’s arm stretched towards the sky is particularly evocative. The way the peachy hues blend with hints of pink and blue creates a sense of warmth and vitality. It reminds me of Joan Mitchell, but with a pop art twist. Neiman captures a moment with such energetic flair. It's a reminder that art is not about perfection, but about the joy of seeing and doing.