Sliding Home 1972

LeRoy Neiman made 'Sliding Home' with a burst of energy, capturing a moment in paint with bold strokes and a vivid palette. The process feels immediate, like he’s right there in the stands, brush in hand. Looking closely, you can almost feel the texture of the canvas through the thick, juicy paint. Neiman isn’t trying to hide his process; instead, the strokes build up, layer upon layer, creating a sense of movement and impact. See how he uses those vibrant colors – the oranges, blues, and yellows – not just to depict the players but to convey the heat and excitement of the game. That streak of white, cutting across the canvas, it's like a flash of light, or maybe the runner kicking up dust as he slides. It reminds me a little of someone like Joan Mitchell, who also knew how to turn paint into pure feeling. There’s no one way to look at this, and that's the beauty of it.