Practice of the Big Boom 2010

Michael Cheval made this painting of a ballerina seemingly practicing her tennis swing, a "Practice of the Big Boom", though I don't know when. The smooth rendering of the figure against the textured background really pops. I love the way the dark reds and oranges of the backdrop create a dramatic contrast with the ballerina’s white tutu, which has a delicate texture achieved through layered brushstrokes. Notice the shadow of the tennis racket and how the artist has worked to create the effect of light passing through the strings, which looks almost photographic in its detail. The surface of the painting is very smooth, without any visible brushstrokes on the figure, which gives a dreamy feel. There’s an almost surreal quality to the scene. This combination of realism and surrealism reminds me of Magritte, who also created dream-like images with smooth surfaces. Both artists invite us to question our perception of reality. Ultimately, "Practice of the Big Boom" encourages us to embrace the unexpected.