Daniel Ricciardo 16 | Red Bull | F1 Painting

Welcome to the art of Formula 1. I'm James, an artist captivated by the pursuit of speed and sports. I started this journey drawing out of my childhood bedroom, with little more than a biro and a big piece of paper. My early career was spent scraping by for funds and learning the difficulties of trying to be a full-time artist. It was never an easy task; it took many years to hone my craft and style, but I had to pursue my passion for creating art at all costs. As my journey continued over these early years, my work took a much darker approach, with strong use of black paint for dark, dramatic paintings. It’s an interesting chapter of my work, and one I look back on fondly. However, after many years of dark, monochrome paintings, I took a vibrant leap that would shape my artistic direction and bring me onto a new passion: the art of Formula 1. With this new leap, I wanted people to feel the same rush of emotion that the sport gives me. Each piece is created not just to be seen but to be felt. When it comes to the concept of a painting, I don’t quite know how inspiration hits, but for me, it’s the passion, emotion and experience from a moment in time that creates a spark, and in the world of sport, there’s plenty of both. When I first started a Formula 1 painting, I never thought it would define the work so many years on. In Formula 1, my inspiration is drawn from the action of the pits, focusing on the team, or detailed moments not often seen. It’s a rewarding and challenging subject, and one I love greatly. I have also been inspired to work with sports such as the SAIL GP. These pieces often capture a more solitary or location-based moment of speed, skill, and camaraderie, and tie into the overall theme I try to capture in my paintings. I think it’s very important to never settle as an artist. I enjoy the challenge and pursuit of perfection and experimentation. Much like my new concept exploring abstract motion in my work, where I use colour to convey a journey of the subject through the piece. Looking ahead, I’m excited to keep pushing the boundaries of my work, from exploring larger paintings to blending abstract forms with realism. Motorsport will always be at the core of my art, but I’m equally inspired to take on new challenges across sport and speed, finding fresh ways to tell stories of movement, teamwork, and human achievement.