’Could Use A Push ’ – Oil on canvas. Original size 60 cm – 80 cm.

This is one of several paintings I made of the American depression of the 1930’s. This was a hugely turbulent time in American history, and this were felt all around the world.

I have painted several pieces showing the character with the backpack travelling around America searching for work, as many had to do in those days. If they were lucky enough to find work, most men could only find jobs as labourers, and many turned to prize fighting.

I don’t show the real misery of this period in my paintings, there are literally thousands of photographs that already do that. I wanted instead to show that there was light at the end of the tunnel, and that this was a terrible period that America dragged itself away from.

In this painting, the travelling character still finds the time to help someone that is having car trouble.