The Art Of The Car
Canvas, clay or marble is the medium of choice for the majority of artists. A very select few, however, use steel, fiberglass and chrome. Car art is the ultimate expression of owning a car that fits your personality, or that boldly conveys your passion. We’re talking about bringing your dream, nightmare or even your fantasy to life!
Forget about dabbling in paints - how about using sea shells, yarn, whipped cream, lights, bugs, buttons - you name it. Really, if you can collect it, if you can dream it, you can drive it! Artists who specialize in art cars do so, not solely for their own personal satisfaction and enjoyment - though that’s very important - but to share their art with the world!
And share it they do. No, you won’t find an art car making a milk run like the family mini van (though for all intents and purposes they are considered street legal vehicles and their owner has all the appropriate documents and car insurance coverage, as is required by law), but you will find it at one of the dozens of art car expositions and parades held annually, in cities like Baltimore, San Francisco, Houston and Minnesota. Seemingly every point on the compass is covered.
If you’re on the East Coast, don’t miss the annual Artscape festival in Baltimore. The theme for 2009 is a tribute to Baltimore’s own Edgar Allen Poe. An art car trussed up as a raven, tell-tale heart or even a psychopathic orangutan might be on display. If you’re traveling in the Texas Panhandle, how about a visit to one of Houston’s many art car extravaganzas? There’s even a permanent museum dedicated to the art car - just ask for the Garage Mahal.
Finding an art car event to attend, pretty much anywhere in the country, is simple online. You can also join a society or webring dedicated to art car lovers. If you’ve got an art car and you live in New England, you’re probably already in SANE. Or in Houston, maybe you’re familiar with HACK.
For a list of art car societies throughout the U.S. look no farther than the DMOZ Art Car list and the Google Art Car list.
It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words; so go ahead and share your picture of your baby with the world. There are several websites that allow you to post your art car pictures, such as Flickr.
An art car is a work of art. The creator put in a lot of time, effort, money, creativity and passion into his art. Sure, some might look at an art car as a pile of junk. But rest assured if you own one, it is a prized possession - as important to you as your 9-to-5 car or your home. You cherish it, care for it, insure it, protect it, and show it off. Maybe you’re the only one on your block with such a passion. But know one thing - you - the art car lover, are definitely not alone!