Calm Before the Storm

This painting is about the psychological tension fighters encounter just before the bell rings. We don't know if the fighter is looking across the ring toward his opponent, or simply waiting for the bell to sound. His somewhat calm demeanor is played against the coach's stoic expression. The two men are standing still in contrast to what is about to happen; two athletes about to engage in combat. The spectators around the ring are currently disengaged, however, they will soon be an integral part of the ensuing competition. The surroundings are active; strong, colorful horizontals in the ring ropes and the intense diagonals in the background. They suggest the chaos that is about to unfold.
This is an oil painting because the medium allows for the development of the figure more accurately and maturely. I am influenced by Sargent's figure paintings and George Bellow's boxing paintings.