Paris Olympics 2024, Women''s 4x100 Freestyle Relay

Team Australia continued its dominance of this event today.  They have now won the Women's 4x100 Freestyle Relay four consecutive times.  It was Team USA just barely touching the wall ahead of Team China to claim the Silver Medal, with China taking Bronze.  I find painting the swimming events rather difficult to paint but I am rather satisfied with this one.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Fourth Time Gold PO24-10" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Rio Olympics: Seemingly Alone

Katie Ledecky (USA) was fully expected to win the Women's 800 Meter Freestyle, and to do it by a sizable margin, I didn't expect it to look like no one else was in the pool with her.  It must have been unsettling to be trying to catch a swimmer and see her go by swimming in the opposite direction.  Ledecy swam on to win her second Gold Medal from these games, making her total medal count for Rio, four medals.  She also broke her own Olympic and World record.  I am also very pleased with out I managed to capture the moment.  Swimming has proven to be the most difficult of sports to paint.  Ironic, since they both are so about the water.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2836759-95-226051/PaintingSeemingly%20Alone%20Rio95-Greig-Leach.html#.V69ndZgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Tied for Gold

I was struck by the difference in skin tone of the two women who managed to tie for the Gold Medal in the Women's 100 Meter Freestyle.  Both Americans technically, Penny Oleksiak (Canada) and Simone Manuel (USA) will share the top step of the podium and hear both of their national anthems played as their flags are raise together.  Manuel becomes the first African-American to win a Gold medal for the United States in swimming... It is about time!

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2836483-85-226051/PaintingTied%20for%20Gold%20Rio85-Greig-Leach.html#.V630_ZgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Rivals & Friends

The media is certainly trying to make the rivalry between Michael Phelps (USA) and Ryan Lochte (USA) into a much bigger thing than it is.  The pair are referring to themselves as the "old ones" and seem to truly enjoy each others company.  Both have said that the other makes them a better swimmer.  In tonight's Men's 200 Meter Medley, it was Phelps who claimed the Gold, Lochte didn't make the podium.  So at least for now, it is advantage Phelps.  An advantage that only helps Team USA and its medal count.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2836479-84-226051/PaintingRivals%20&%20Friends%20Rio84-Greig-Leach.html#.V63ygZgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Celebrating His Sweep

Ryan Murphy (USA) saluted the crowd in the hall as he swept both Men's Backstroke races taking home two Gold Medals.  I feel like this is one of my strongest compositions to date.  Here I am 83 paintings into the project of painting the Olympics and I feel like I am really hitting my stride.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2836478-83-226051/PaintingCelebrating%20His%20Sweep%20Rio83-Greig-Leach.html#.V63wjJgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Golden Celebration

Not to be outdone by their male counterparts, the   Women's Team USA took their 4 x 200 Meter Freestyle Relay as well.  The team anchored by Katie Ledecky and led off by Allison Schmitt maintained a lead throughout every leg of the race.  And they seemed to have a great time doing it, complete with selfies (lots of them) in the ready room before the race.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2835971-71-226051/PaintingGolden%20Celebration%20Rio71-Greig-Leach.html#.V6yr_JgrLIU

Rio Olympics: A Team Effort

Another race, and another Gold Medal for Michael Phelps (USA), this one includes his three other teammates.  Together Phelps, Townley Haas, Ryan Lochte and Conor Dwyer took Gold in the Men's 200 Meter Freestyle Relay.  Make that 22 gold medals for the swimmer from Baltimore, Maryland.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2835386-55-226051/PaintingA%20Team%20Effort%20Rio55-Greig-Leach.html#.V6rGXZgrLIU

Rio Olympics: With Gold in Sight

Michael Phelps took the pool tonight having already added to his career Olympic Gold tally.  This 200 Meter Butterfly was important to him, he had lost by 1/100th of a second to Chad Le Clos (South Africa).  Tonight you can see Le Clos to the left of this painting looking over at the fleeing Phelps.  Phelps went on to take yet another Gold Medal, his twenty first. Le Clos fell off the pace so much so that he missed the podium all together.  Le Clos had been talking trash, something Phelps didn't join in on.  Instead he let his swimming do the talking.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2835385-54-226051/PaintingWith%20Gold%20in%20Sight%20Rio54-Greig-Leach.html#.V6rD95grLIU

Rio Olympics: Awaiting

I was struck by this image and wanted to see if I could capture it with my brush and pen.  The racers were preparing to mount the starting blocks before starting their semi final in the 100 Meter Freestyle.  In this line up starting with the dark cap to the right are C. Mignon (France), Y. Kisil (Canada), D. Wierling (Germany), D. Scott (Great Britain), K. Chalmers (Australia), S. Condorelli (Canada), P. Timmers (Belgium) and M. Chierighini (Brazil).

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2835383-53-226051/PaintingAwaiting%20Rio53-Greig-Leach.html#.V6rBFpgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Jubilant Teammates

Lilly King (USA) went across several lanes to find and hug her teammate, Katie Meili.  King had claimed Gold in the 200 Meter Breaststoke and Meili took Bronze.  Between the Americans was the Russian, Yulia Efimova, taking Silver.  Efimova and King had been exchanging words in the press and gestures in the ready room.  King was not a fan of the Russian who has served suspension for doping in the recent past.  So there was no traditional congratulatory hand shake between the two rivals.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2834929-40-226051/PaintingJubilant%20Teammates%20Rio40-Greig-Leach.html#.V6oENJgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Out of the Gate

Continuing with the artistic challenge of this project, I went for this difficult angle.  While this was a tough image to capture, it was not anywhere as difficult as it was for Ryan Murphy (USA) to win his Gold Medal in this 100 Meter Backstroke.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2834923-39-226051/PaintingOut%20of%20the%20Gate%20Rio39-Greig-Leach.html#.V6oDW5grLIU

Rio Olympics: Out of the Turn

Besides the competition and excitement of the Games, it is setting challenges as an artist that keep me creating these works.  For the Men's 400 Meter Freestyle, I thought I would attempt to use the footage from the underwater camera.  So this is as if you are on the bottom of the pool as Sun Yang (China), Conner Dwyer (USA) and Kosuke Hagino (Japan) swam above.  Sun Yang went on to win Gold with the American, Conner Dwyer hanging on for Bronze.  Hagino wasn't able to make it onto the podium.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2834769-38-226051/PaintingOut%20of%20the%20Turn%20Rio38-Greig-Leach.html#.V6oCWJgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Rather Pleased

Katleen Baker (USA) was rather pleased with her semi final race, she finished first in her heat.  So she is moving on to the medal swim in the 100 meter backstroke.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2834504-30-226051/PaintingRather%20Pleased%20Rio30-Greig-Leach.html#.V6j_MLgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Ready to Go

Unlike all of the other swimming events, the backstroke starts with the swimmer in the water.  Here, Ryan Murphy is set to swim his qualifying heat in the 100 meter backstroke.  I wonder how you keep your focus when someone sticks a video camera in your face moments before your race begins?

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2834264-21-226051/PaintingReady%20to%20Go%20Rio%2021-Greig-Leach.html#.V6e2ZLgrLIU

Rio Olympics: New World Record

Climbing up on the lane markers, Katrinka Hosszu (Hungary) raises her arms in a victory salute to the crowd (and her countrymen).  Hosszu set a new World Record breaking the existing one by 5 seconds.  She seemed to come to the wall with no one else in the pool.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2833978-15-226051/PaintingNew%20World%20Record%20Rio15-Greig-Leach.html#.V6a3X7grLIU

Rio Olympics: Almost There

Finishing the 400 meter Individual Medley with the free style stroke, American Chase Kalisz was unable to catch Kosuke Hagino (Japan) as the pair approached the wall. Kalisz claimed the Silver and Hagino took Gold.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2833977-14-226051/PaintingAlmost%20There%20Rio14-Greig-Leach.html#.V6a1orgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Free Style

Today marked the start of the Olympic swimming heats for both men and women.  This is from one of the heats of the 800 meter Free Style.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2833910-8-226051/PaintingFree%20Style%20Rio8-Greig-Leach.html#.V6Z0gbgrLIU