Joy Ride

This captivating painting features a central figure wearing a racing helmet, exuding a sense of readiness and adventure. The figure is encapsulated within a radiant golden circle, symbolizing both the sun and the thrill of speed. Surrounding the figure are stylized racing stripes, delicately painted in soft pink tones, leading the viewers' gaze outward. Each stripe is adorned with small, artistic representations of race car wheels, suggesting movement and dynamism. The words 'JOY' and 'RIDE' are elegantly inscribed in gold on either side, adding a playful yet meaningful touch to the composition. The background is a subtle blend of soft whites and creams, allowing the vivid elements to stand out, creating an overall mood of excitement and nostalgia for racing enthusiasts.
This painting would fit beautifully in a modern living room, home office, or a personal workspace, particularly in spaces dedicated to creativity and inspiration. The vibrant colors and dynamic composition will add a lively touch to the decor, making it an excellent conversational piece.

The “Pink Lady” of racing, Donna Mae Mims won the SCCA Championship (Sports Car Club of America) in 1963 with her trademark pink helmet, racing suit and “think pink” printed on her 1959 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite. The first woman to win a SCCA championship, Donna Mae Mims had a bubbly, joyful charm that was contagious. Behind the wheel, however, all bubbles subsided and she was a racer, every bit as full of grit and determination as any man on the course. The relevance of being a man or woman dissipated into the pure drive of winning the race. Donna Mae’s racing career spanned 12 years, but her love of cars never died. Ultimately, she would be buried in her pink 1979 Chevrolet Corvette. | The title of this piece refers to a simple and pure joy of driving, reclaiming the term to the original meaning, free from sexual connotation. | Created for the exhibition "FEMMOBILITY -- What do dreams know of boundaries? Dynamic woman: groundbreaking past, present and future." | Painted with oil, gold, resin and collage on wood panel.