The Great Gretzky 1981

LeRoy Neiman made this painting of “The Great Gretzky” with what looks like acrylic and maybe some pastel or crayon. You can see how the colours almost merge into each other, as the painting seems to emerge from the background. I like how Neiman uses these big, gestural marks, like he’s skating across the canvas! I can imagine him thinking, “How can I make a painting as energized as the game itself?” The colour choices create a feeling of movement, the blues and turquoises almost vibrating with each other. You can see how the artist wanted to capture the essence of speed and agility. This kind of energetic mark-making reminds me of Joan Mitchell, and how she used colour to evoke emotion and energy. In a way, artists are always in conversation with each other, riffing on ideas, and pushing the boundaries of what painting can do. It’s like one big, ongoing jam session!