“Cruiser showcases the love affair I have with my home — the Jersey Shore,” says Mario Robinson. “The portraits I paint of my family members and close friends tend to strike a somber tone. Human beings are complex, and portraying the human condition can be labor-intensive. My favorite activity is packing my plein air gear, jumping on my cruiser, and riding along the Atlantic Ocean, in search of an inspiring location to paint.
“For me, the ocean provides a mix of therapy and meditation. I’ve painted this beach from countless vantage points, and have often included models or seagulls in the work, but I had never personalized the compositions. I consider the inclusion of my cruiser in this piece a form of self-portrait. The cruiser is an integral component to living in a small beach town during the summer months, as traffic is heavy and parking a car is nearly impossible.”
