Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Gymnastics Individual All Around: Catch and Release

I suppose I should title this "release and catch," but I was going for a play on the uneven bars skills and fishing action.  I know, it is a bit of a stretch, but I enjoy it.  I also enjoy watching Rebeca Andrade (Brazil) as a gymnast.  She has both athleticism and an infectious movement and joy in all that she does.  Her second rotation on this discipline was flawless and gave her the lead at the end of the second rotation.  She did drop at the end of the night, but that meant that she will be taking the Silver Medal back to her home in Rio.

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. 

"Catch and Release PO24-47" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Surfing Qualifying: Dropping In

I was wondering how Paris would be able to stage a surfing event for these Summer Olympics.  I don't know why I didn't think of Tahiti.  Despite being literally on the other side of the world, it was the perfect place to host the surfing events.  During Monday's qualifying rounds Gabriel Medina (Brazil) had a near perfect ride going so far as to come out of the curl of the wave holding up ten fingers in an appeal for a perfect score of 10.  He didn't get it.  But it was roughly a 9.7, not too bad.  Unfortunately for the Brazilian, the points won't carry over to his bid for a Gold Medal.

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.

"Dropping In PO24-29" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Rio Olympics: A Watery Lunge

Using the canoe version of a bike throw for the line, or a sprinter's lean in, Iuri Cheban (Ukraine) forced his canoe forward to claim the Gold Medal in the Men's Canoe Single 200 Meters.  He did get the medal, but he did end up in the bay in the bargain.  Next to him, looking over with bemusement was the Azerbaijani, Valentin Demyanenko.  Demyanenko claimed silver and managed to stay rather dry, as well.  The other medalist (Bronze) to literally take a dive was the home team Brazilian, Isauias Queiroz Dos Santos.  For the record everyone else stayed in their canoes and out of the bay.

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.  Remember this is an original work of art, so once it has been sold, it is gone.  Don't delay buy it now!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2839222-162-226051/PaintingA%20Watery%20Lunge%20Rio162-Greig-Leach.html#.V7aOGJgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Fighting Back

The duo of Kerri Walsch-Jennings and April Ross (USA) had lost their third set in a row.  The first two of those sets, had bumped them out of the Gold Medal match, and the third put them down a set in the Bronze medal game.  Both games were played against Brazilian teams.  Mid way through the second set, the Americans (yes, I know that technically Brazilians are Americans too) seemed to come to life.  They fought back hard against the team of Larissa/Talita to take the second set.  Once the steam roller got going it was a quick third set that went to Team USA for the Bronze.  Walsch-Jennings almost seemed to be prouder of this Bronze medal than her previous golden treasures.  I certainly favor the hard fought victories in art over the easy paintings that go as expected.  I think athletes feel much the same.  After all, it is all about the competition, not just the win.

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.  Remember this is an original work of art, so once it has been sold, it is gone.  Don't delay buy it now!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2838935-160-226051/PaintingFighting%20Back%20Rio160-Greig-Leach.html#.V7XHJJgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Advantage Sweden

Sweden and Brazil played 120 minutes without a goal.  And yet, it was an incredibly exciting game. So it came down to penalty kicks to decide who would play in the Gold Medal Match and who would play in the Bronze.  When Sweden blocked a goal, so did Brazil, until the final of the five kicks.  Sweden made theirs, Brazil did not.  So Sweden will face Germany to determine who will win the Gold.  I guess Sweden putting the USA women, and defending four time Gold medalist out is a little easier to take, now.

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.  Remember this is an original work of art, so once it has been sold, it is gone.  Don't delay buy it now!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2838311-136-226051/PaintingAdvantage%20Sweden%20Rio136-Greig-Leach.html#.V7QC8JgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Fearless

Under the now clear night sky, Thiago Braz Da Silva (Brazil) was lifted by the cheers of the crowd over the high bar of the Pole Vault.  His new Olympic record height was more than enough to earn him the Gold Medal.  The first medal in track and field for the home team.  Starting the medal count on the track with a Gold is a good way to get things rolling.

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.  Remember this is an original work of art, so once it has been sold, it is gone.  Don't delay buy it now!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2838117-135-226051/PaintingFearless%20Rio%20135-Greig-Leach.html#.V7NIqZgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Ramping It Up

After the Colombian had lapped the field, it was time for the second sprint of the race.  This one was rather hot with the Manx Missile, Mark Cavendish (Great Britain) mixing it up with the leader, Italian sprinter Elia Viviani.  Helping to excite the crowd was the Brazilian, G. Monteiro vying for points.  Spoiler alert:  Cavendish was able to claim an Olympic Medal at long last, a Silver.  So this season he has worn the Yellow Jersey in the Tour de France and won an Olympic Medal, these have been to of his career goals for a very long time.  Chapeau, Mark!

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.  Remember this is an original work of art, so once it has been sold, it is gone.  Don't delay buy it now!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2838050-127-226051/PaintingRamping%20It%20Up%20Rio127-Greig-Leach.html#.V7M2mJgrLIU

Rio Olympics: He Is a Happy Man

Diego Hypolito (Brazil) must have been carried by the home crowd.  His tumbling runs flew higher and his landings were stronger as the crowds roared their delight.  Hypolito jumped for joy, shaking his fists in the air after finishing his routine.  He may have started a new way to influence the judging by running around in a stay of wild glee in celebration of his performance.  Now he had the long wait to see if it was worthy of a medal, at least the judges gave him great scores.

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.  Remember this is an original work of art, so once it has been sold, it is gone.  Don't delay buy it now!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2837606-119-226051/PaintingHe%20Is%20a%20Happy%20Man%20Rio119-Greig-Leach.html#.V7ITAZgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Going Tall

The home team, Brazil hasn't been having a stellar Olympics thus far.  That is except for their woman's Volley Ball team.  Today they were up against their neighbor Argentina.  It made for a rather lively audience in the gym.

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/2834934-41-226051/PaintingGoing%20Tall%20Rio41-Greig-Leach.html#.V6oFMJgrLIU