New York City is a combination of physical rhythms, emotional surges and mental challenges. NYC is people, literally millions of them, all different, colourful and constantly moving; it's the buildings ablaze with neon lights, both inside and out. New York is a City that must be experienced with every sense turned up high. Michael Doherty defines the physical aspect of the City and its people very well, and has made a gallant attempt at depicting the spirit of the place, but he hasn't quite captured its soul.

When it comes to structures, in NYC big is beautiful. In Brooklyn Bridge I Doherty nicely balances the dainty dots of lights seen on land, bridge and reflected in the water with the great dark monolithic pylon supporting the bridge. While The Guggenheim on a dull day not only shows the amazing architecture but reveals the artist's ability to manipulate a variety of hues and turn a difficult subject into a lively painting. Then again, in Grand Central and Subway he shows us how the city operates on three levels; under, on, and above the surface. Doherty has articulated this fact in an excellent manner both compositionally and painterly.

A spirit of place is well noted in Feeling of Being Followed, Coney Island, Brooklyn where the artist deftly captures the garish, dark mood of an amusement park, where a child's dream can easily turn to nightmare. Then again in Times Square and Times Square Philosophy where crowds, neon lights, and an advert asks the pertinent question, "Why are we here?" The answer of course is 'to see and be seen', that's all.

Doherty comes very close to capturing the city's soul in Brooklyn Bridge II  where the orange clouds and single cyclist suggests early morning. Here the warm hues counter the blue-grey skyline in the background, a cityscape minus lights. Without their sparkling makeup, the buildings are seen for what they are, cold stone and steel. This image offers a glimpse of what makes NYC 'special'. The soul of this city isn't found in its structures, scurrying crowds or lights, it resides in the determination of each individual who calls New York City 'home' and accepts all its eccentricities and excitements as 'normal'.

Thanks for the memories.