Wine Goddess 1980

LeRoy Neiman made this painting, Wine Goddess, at some point, we don't know when, but the process is right there on the canvas. The brushstrokes are so gestural and loose. It feels like it was painted quickly, intuitively, as if trying to capture a fleeting moment. I'm really drawn to the way Neiman uses color. The reds and blues are so intense, but then he throws in these pops of yellow that just vibrate against the other colors. Look at the red of the figure’s dress, with the yellows on her skirt, it’s got a real energy! It’s like Neiman is not just painting what he sees, but what he feels. The layers of paint are built up, creating this tactile surface. You can almost feel the energy of his brushstrokes, the way he's attacking the canvas. Thinking about other artists, someone like Matisse comes to mind with the way he uses color so boldly. But Neiman has this raw energy that's all his own. Ultimately, Wine Goddess is a painting that celebrates the joy of artmaking, and the power of color. It's a reminder that art doesn't always have to be serious or profound, it can just be fun and alive.