In Motion: My Latest Large-Scale Painting
Nikee MatemanLately, I’ve been working on one of my biggest paintings to date. At 150 x 120 cm, it’s a piece that demanded both energy, focus and a willingness to experiment.
The painting is called “In Motion”, inspired by the dynamism and power of breakdancing. I wanted to capture that split-second energy when a dancer throws their legs wide apart, the body defying gravity and frozen in movement. The focus of the composition is on the foot, exaggerated in size to emphasize the motion and perspective.
Experimenting with Multiple Mediums
I didn’t limit myself to just acrylic for this piece. After establishing the base layers with acrylic, I added oil sticks, oil pastels, and even a touch of graffiti techniques. Each medium brought something different to the painting. The music itself became part of the composition. Flowing waves and notes were created with oil pastels, wrapping around the dancer as if the energy of sound and movement physically present on the canvas.
What’s Next
Finishing “In Motion” has inspired me to continue exploring movement, music, and human expression in large-scale works. There’s something about working at this size and with multiple mediums that allows for freedom and spontaneity I don’t always get on smaller canvases.