One of the first paintings that I did with a motorsport theme was also one of the first oil paintings that I completed on canvas. It was a tiny 18 x 40 cm box canvas showing a Ferrari pit crew at the box as the car drew in. The picture from Malaysia shows the anticipation, the precision and the result of excellence in teamwork.

It took a couple of years but at last I’ve had good reason to turn that sketch into a larger work using acrylics. The vibrancy of the colour makes it a popular work. Some have looked at it and not twigged the subject matter – at a distance someone thought that crabs (seaside version!) were involved. Those in the crew will know that there has been some artistic interpretation of positioning for which I hope I’ll be forgiven. It just made the sweep of the crew members work better.

Apologies to sponsors, but this is about the motion, noise, excitement and colour of the process; I leave the realism to my photos. Having said that the essence of a good brand is to be recognised without the words and having shown the painting to many they have all remembered the branding from that year; (Shell) fuel, (Marlboro) cigarettes and (Vodaphone) mobile phone company.

Sporting events taking place in London and other parts of the UK in July will showcase athletic talent that has been looking forward and training hard to try to achieve the medals that are awarded every four years. The Brentwood Art Trail has encouraged local resident artists to create work that interprets the Olympic themes of excellence, friendship, respect, courage, determination, inspiration or equality. This painting will be exhibited as part of the Art Trail at Skidmarques Ltd, from 18th to 30th June 2012. It is available to purchase for collection on 2nd July 2012.

Excellence

The painting is 100 x 50 cm and completed in acrylics on a deep canvas with a dark green edge.