“River Shower”, 1988

James Brown

“River Shower”, 1988

Oil on canvas

Size: 96.6 x 112 cm

When I created this painting, my morning exercise routine involved taking my surf-ski on a non-surf paddle up the local river. A true test of any exercise regimen is whether you're willing to venture out in the rain—and I can say with pride that I did. Paddling in the rain was an exhilarating experience; I felt the pitter-patter on my head and shoulders as I navigated my way through the raindrop patterns on the water. This adventure afforded me an almost eye-level view of the falling raindrops as they ricocheted upwards upon hitting the surface. I was mesmerized by the sight of droplets bouncing with brilliant white peaks, contrasting starkly against the dark water below and the overcast sky above.

This experience was less about scrutinising individual drops and more akin to witnessing a field of sparkling movement. The constant drizzle and the rapid patterns of splashes inspired me to capture the overall effect of rain—a vibrant spectacle where the eye flits from one splash to the next. From a personal standpoint, painting the rain splashing around me while I paddled allowed me the creative space to explore how I imagined water droplets seemed to dance.