Original artwork description:

This painting is a mix of media, a process that I wanted to use to help capture the differing feels of various parts of the picture. To give a sense of the touch, smell, finish and atmosphere within.
The painting was inspired by my own two sons who are called Jack and Ollie. They are now 20 and 16 respectively and are good judo players having represented their country. They both have goals inside and outside of judo and as their coach and father it has been an interesting journey over the last 15 years.
The two boys in the painting are both judoka at the club I run. From the belts they are wearing we can tell that they are under 8 years old, but because they are both black and white belts they are probably at least seven and have been doing judo for a couple of years. Their names are also Jack and Oliver, and coaching them has reminded me many times about coaching my own two boys.
They are both clearly watching something beyond the painted canvas, possibly the older Jack and Ollie, who are now both excellent coaches and extremely inspirational to all our younger players. They are watching intently, but because of the large mat space in front of them, they are probably not taking part in this session. Perhaps they are waiting for their class to begin, or have finished theirs and are eagerly watching the older players. Their expressions and body language have mixed emotions and signals. Intent, mixed with apprehension, a nervousness, a want to join in to learn, but are they ready (or do they actually want to)? Will they be able to do the new techniques and can they handle a much harder class. But they are drawn to watching and thinking, and wanting…
The two boys in the painting perhaps have similar aspirations to those of mine, but do I have the same aspirations as their coach that I did, and have for my own boys? Do I want these two young lads to go through all the difficulties in judo that my boys have. The intensity of training needed and its results, the long journeys to find quality training and competitions, disappointments at competitions, poor decisions from referees, lack of proper development values, untimely injuries, favouritism and unfairness, the money needed, the politics and sheer nastiness from others (including parents, players and coaches), outside influences, the balance of education and expectations of training and the general understanding that sometimes your best is just not good enough. And of course, the simple aspect of just how bloody hard the martial art of Judo is.
But I love judo. I wouldn’t change the time I have spent with my two boys travelling the country and further. The time spent on the cold mat before the classes start. The endless discussions about how we should progress, with which techniques to focus on and our philosophy of doing beautiful judo, and not concentrating on the winning, picking them up when they are down, and of course celebrating the gains made. Now they pick me up of the mat and I wonder how they got so strong, so fast, so good, so full of humility. I am proud of both my sons, their achievements so far, their potential, should they wish to pursue it. But also, how judo has taught them respect, confidence and the ability to stick at something through both the good and hard times, are we allowed to say character building? I am over the moon with how often I have been told what an absolute credit they are to us as parents.
The painting also describes the dojo the boys are in. This was my aspiration, to create for my sons a permanent dojo that would give them everything they needed to train in. A permanent mat area, a gym, and other fitness classes along side a great club full of members and atmosphere. Of course this has developed greatly, and is used by many clubs and groups from the town. The run down building still shows the signs of old times, of smoke and alcohol infused parties and the plaster has a depth of history that seems to breath. I have painted those walls, the woodwork and lifted and laid those mats many times. I know all about this building, as it was my aspiration, and has been my voluntary commitment. I have lots more ideas about how to build the club and how to make the facility better, and now I am not alone in attempting to realise our aspirations.
Aspirations are what drive us forward. Personally I expect my high aspirations to be realised. That is hard, as it’s not always possible to realise in the way you want…. but this painting has helped me to realise a lot about myself. So take your children to judo, yes its hard sometimes, but so rewarding and such a great education for life.

Materials used:

oil, acrylic, gloss, card, plaster, wood, rope

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