Description

Lewis Hamilton 2019 by Paul Oz

Paul Oz is an explosive British portrait artist – focused on the maximum 3D impact and energy in thick oil paint. Well known for travelling the world live painting with Formula One – recently Paul has also created work with Team Sky on the Tour of Britain, Chelsea FC to celebrate their 2017 title win, and for Lamborghini at the launch of their Urus. Headline commissions include for Muhammad Ali’s 70th, by Sir Bradley Wiggins to mark his 2012 Olympic title, by Star Trek to celebrate 50 years, and a portrait of Bruno Mars presented to him in Las Vegas to mark his 24k Magic World tour.

Within F1 Paul has live painted for Scuderia Ferrari VIP’s in Monaco, with Mercedes AMG Petronas in Barcelona, and has created several portraits for Jenson Button – including one live with McLaren in Abu Dhabi at his last race to celebrate his career. Also creating work personally for Lewis Hamilton, Sir Jackie Stewart, Pirelli – and by both Ayrton Senna and James Hunts families to mark 20 years. Recent shows include ’80’s Kid’ in London, The Art of Star Wars, sell out shows at Abu Dhabi, Mexico City and Singapore F1 weeks. The only artist shown in every Paddock Club on the F1 calendar worldwide.

I strive for the impression of explosive energy, movement, expression and the maximum in 3D effect when I paint – several techniques combining for the end result. Every one is large scale and around 2cm thick oils in places (yes, I get through a fair amount of the stuff), usually on board for a completely flat background so that the texture of the subject really comes out at you. Recently using home made neon paint too which really is a visual punch in the face, and with a team of incredible photographers so we can reproduce the effect for limited editions. I’m fascinated with how perceptions change with distance – the biggest unintentional compliment I’ve had was that my work looks like a photo from a distance, and porridge close up. Love that!

A lifelong sportsman… many of my ‘eureka moments’ come on hours stuck inside my own head out on the bike. Others from the oft completely random brainstorming over dinner or hiking with the Mrs (and PA) Ashley. There’s no such thing as a crazy idea any more….. which in itself is the most inspiring and empowering thing if you truly believe it.

Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton MBE HonFREng (born 7 January 1985) is a British racing driver who races in Formula One for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team. A six-time Formula One World Champion, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport, and considered by some to be the greatest of all time. He won his first World Drivers’ Championship with McLaren in 2008, before moving to Mercedes in 2013, with whom he has won a further five titles. One of the most successful drivers in the history of the sport, Hamilton’s six World Championship titles is the second-most of all time, as is his tally of 86 race victories and 153 podium finishes. He currently holds the records for the all-time most career points (3494), the all-time most pole positions (90), the most grand slams in a season (3) and the most points in a season (413)