The inner sanctum of the Art Car movement is a pretty hallowed place and in some people’s view you could probably count all its members on the fingers of both hands. If that is the case, then Harrod Blank would be at the top and Ann and James Harithas would also have their place as curators of the Art Car Museum. Among the remaining contenders a strong case would have to be made for Kelly Lyles – a true one-off character. Unlike some art car artists, Kelly actually makes a point of driving her art cars, and has driven her first masterpiece, Leopard Bernstein, for more than a decade.

Leopard Bernstein – and though you may not like puns you have to admit that’s a good one – is painted in leopard print and covered with models of big cats. In addition to this, he has ears and a tail (welded on by Kelly herself). Frankly, how could you look at a car tricked out like this and not smile? Leopard – or Bernie as he prefers to be called – was followed by Kelly’s next work in the medium, Excessories Odd-yssey. No, that’s not a misspelling of “Accessories”. It is a mix of that word and “Excess”, and Kelly Lyles’ own admission of the fact that she has a flamboyant idea of fashion which knows no bounds. In addition she has collaborated on art cars with friends and is, along with Harrod Blank, a prime mover behind Seattle’s Art Car Blowout.