Combustion engine

This painting of a motorcycle combustion engine was inspired by my trip to bike week in Daytona. The background of the painting is done with raw umber smudged with my fingers dipped in black paint. I wanted the background to be like an old rag after working on the engine. I remember when working on my bike I always ended up with black oily smudges and stains on my usually new white shirt that no amount of washing could take out. The fuel has ignited and is the only light in an otherwise black and silver painting. For the engine oil, I used tar gel with black pigment because I wanted the oil to remain glossy after splashing it around.
It might be too literal of a representation of a motor, but I was able to put on the canvas most of the ideas I wanted to transmit.

Motorcycle combustion engine - Acrylic on canvas (30x24in)