Now that the Ryder Cup has finished, I can look back at what an amazing event it was for so many reasons. The Ryder Cup is unlike any other golf event. It is exhilarating, insane, crazy, fun and very competitive. I was extraordinarily fortunate to be a part of it.
I was at the Ryder Cup Shops, a 50,000 sq. ft. "tent" for a total of nine days. At least eight hours every day I was signing posters of my artwork for golf and art fans from all over the world. It was exhausting but exciting to meet so many people and talk about my art with them.
When I created the "Ryder Cup 2016" painting, I wanted to celebrate the event itself. For me, it was about the international community coming together in crazy costumes to cheer for their countries. I felt I needed to capture that in my painting. The late and great, LeRoy Neiman, had a similar approach to painting the "spirit" of these events. In a way, I suppose I channeled Mr. Neiman in creating this piece.
To try to describe what the scene at Hazeltine Country Club was like during those nine days would be futile. You truly had to be there to understand it all. It is certainly something I will always look back on and cherish as an amazing time in my life.
New art featuring LED lighting and some old school flat paintings on wood panels. All of this new work to kick off 20 years of Michael Birawer Paintings!
