Bicycle Boys Painting

This oil painting is based on a photograph of 2 young men on penny farthings, stopped in downtown Cincinnati. A penny farthing was expensive, costing 3-6 months pay. They were almost entirely owned by rich, young men. The precursor to the "safety' bicycle, they were easy to learn to balance and the large front wheel made them easy to ride (think 'Big Wheels'). However, there were no brakes and if the rider hit an obstacle, it was likely he would go over the handlebars in a "header" or injure both legs when hitting the handlebar. Improvements focused on handlebar design that reduced leg injury. I imagined their world for a while. I share that experience with you thru use of color and texture. The canvas is rough weave stretched over a frame hand-made by me. Oil paints are applied with putty and pallet knives, and occasional brush work. Colors are directly from the tube or with minimal mixing with other oil colors. None are casually made. All live in a space. I consider this to be my best technically. (A Day in the Park is my best from an emotional standpoint.) Started in 2014, I returned to it in 2016, finishing in 2017.