Happy New Year! I have enjoyed painting this painting of the motorcyclist and like starting the New Year this way. Letting my imagination and thoughts collide in what I am calling Optic Sensationalism.
From early on in my boyhood I have always enjoyed the visual and thoughts that accompany riding a motorcycle. The Easy Rider movie and the choppers they would ride makes my mind runs crazy with all sorts of thoughts and associations.
Optic Sensationalism is a liberating exploration in painting
It is a visual snapshot, emotions and associated memories. Not on what it is. Or is to others. It is how things affect the painter.
The visual snapshot
A quick glance captures only abstract shapes of light and dark. As if I was opening my eyes for the first time. Nothing to relate anything to but oh wow this is amazing. I cannot comprehend every detail in a single glance. Only a small portion, the rest the mind fills in with whatever it has in memory.
Easy Rider on Red Chopper, oil on panel, 48 in. w x 42 in. H
Emotions
Our emotions do affect our painting. If you don’t think emotions affect painting simply paint a painting on these three days and compare for yourself. Paint on a very good day, a bad day and an angry day. You cannot help it. Emotions come through in a painting.
Associated Memories
Any thoughts you may have leaned or experienced about the topic you are painting. It is very personal.
