Pushing further, faster

Wheels & Waves 2025: Painting, Motorcycles, and Men’s Mental Health in the Basque Country

In June 2025, I set off with my brother to the Wheels and Waves festival in the Basque Country. An adventure that had a bigger goal than just a trip.

My professional challenge? To paint live at the festival and capture its atmosphere on canvas. I wanted to document moments, impressions, and emotions that could later feed into a project exploring the intersection of motorcycles and men’s mental health. And, of course, to take the time to take in the stunning landscapes, art, and culture of the lovely Basq Country.

After a good night sleep at Sare & Bikes bed and breakfast where our bikes could stay sheltered in the garage. We hit the road to one of my favorite spots in northern Spain: the iconic Punk’s Peak Hillclimb on Mt. Jaizkibel.

I set up my easel low so I could sit cross-legged on the ground while painting. I felt shy at first; it was the first time I really tried to paint something serious in front of a crowd. Thoughts like “Will this even look good?” and “What will people think? Do I come across as pretentious?” buzzed through my head. But soon, the roar of engines arriving on the scene drowned out the chatter of my conditioned mind.

Painting at Punks Peak

By the time the first races began, I already had a loose impression of the landscape on the canvas. The weather, true to Mt. Jaizkibel’s reputation, switched between sun and rain in quick bursts — something I’d experienced here before and come to appreciate. The rain washed parts of the paint away, but I didn’t mind. That imperfection became part of the character of the work, part of the memory of the day. And just like the racers, who didn’t stop for the rain — the race goes on.

My brother pointed out the quirky details of this historic sprint race. The riders start with one hand on their helmets, and at the sound of the gun they must quickly grab the clutch, shift, and take off. On these vintage machines that’s a real challenge, and it makes the race even more exciting. Even if a bike is faster, if the rider stalls at the start, they can lose it all.

I painted this piece with joy, enjoying small conversations with curious passers-by, and even winning a friendly bet when the BMW moto I painted ended up winning its category.

If you’re interested in this painting, feel free to reach out.