Rocky 1981

LeRoy Neiman made this painting of Rocky with what looks like oil paint, and maybe some acrylic, applying it in short, energetic strokes. The colors aren't exactly realistic, but they sure do capture the energy of the subject, don't they? Looking at the surface of the painting, you can see how thick the paint is in some areas, like around the gold belt. Neiman really lets the texture of the paint do some of the work, giving the painting a kind of visceral, almost sweaty feel. Then notice the bold red of the boxing gloves. The bright color really pops against the blue background, doesn't it? It adds a sense of urgency, maybe even a little danger. Neiman’s loose, expressive style reminds me a little bit of Joan Mitchell, but with a Pop Art twist. But unlike Mitchell's abstract landscapes, Neiman's always got a specific subject in mind. Both artists remind us that painting is always a conversation, one big, messy, beautiful conversation.