Chasing the Rapids

This dynamic painting is inspired by the thrill of kayaking on whitewater rapids, a vibrant clash of rushing water, colourful boats, and flashes of paddles slicing through the air.

To capture the energy of the scene, I made abstract photographs of kayak paddlers in action at Lee Valley White Water Centre and used those images as the spark for this piece.  Those photographs can be seen here.

I’ve incorporated texture paste to mimic the churning movement of the water, adding depth and dimension to the painting. The painting looks different as the light changes, throwing shadows across the texture.