Art by Barry Rowe. Images are courtesy of the AFAS
Since its 1984 founding, the Automotive Fine Arts Society has worked tirelessly to legitimize and promote the automobile, and motoring subjects, as worthy subjects for master-quality fine artwork. For many years, the AFAS has had a tent at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where members and invited guests display their latest award-winning pieces to an appreciative audience. Attendees of the 2015 Concours, taking place this upcoming Sunday, August 16, will have the opportunity to experience the Lincoln-sponsored AFAS tent and to meet the artists. We’ve been given the opportunity to share some of that new art with our readers, ahead of time, and if you do attend Pebble Beach, we hope you’ll stop in to experience these works and to talk with their creators.
We have been privileged to work with many AFAS artists and associates through our Hemmings Classic Car “Auto Art” and “Art & Automobilia” columns, as well as Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car‘s “The Goods”- and we’ll link to those stories where we can.
Few automotive fine artists can play with light and shadow as well as Barry Rowe, who created the poster art (see above) for the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance presented by Rolex. One of its stars is the 1930 Indianapolis 500-racing DuPont, a nod to the DuPont class in the 2015 Concours d’Elegance.
The president of the AFAS, Ken Eberts (“Auto Art,” HCC#2), was commissioned by the Lincoln Motor Company to create a piece titled “A New Star is Born,” to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the original Lincoln Continental, and the creation of the 2016 Continental Concept. Ken used his own 1956 Continental Mk II in the piece.
“A New Star is Born” by Ken Eberts.
Another AFAS founding member who chose a vintage Lincoln as a subject is the exceptional Tom Hale; His “Lincoln Zephyr” will join “Jaguar Roadster” and six other new originals under the tent.
Lincoln Zephyr by Tom Hale.
Jaguar Roadster by Tom Hale.
Motorsports enthusiast Ken Dallison has created an 8 x 4-foot giclee called “Mosport Memories: (The Early Days),” which includes portraits of many famous drivers who triumphed at Canada’s Mosport Raceway in the 1967-1977 era.
“Mosport Memories: (The Early Days)” by Ken Dallison.
“Paris Noir” is the title of James Dietz‘s evocative new oil painting that incorporates a black Bugatti Atlantic and a mysterious woman at a moonlit cafe; it’s one of several new pieces that will debut at Pebble Beach.
“Paris Noir,” by James Dietz.
Rolls-Royces star in both of the new pieces that the masterful Charles Maher will be showing under the AFAS banner on Sunday. “Rolls Jewelry” is a close take on a Silver Ghost, while the “London Calling” triptych poses a 1933 P2 Continental near the famous Tower Bridge.
“Rolls Jewelry,” by Charles Maher.
“London Calling,” by Charles Maher.
Stock cars roar around the oval in Harold Cleworth‘s “Daytona 500,” a new piece that offers a strikingly realistic freeze-frame of racing action.
“Daytona 500,” by Harold Cleworth.
Ferraris are one of Jay Koka‘s favorite painting subjects, and fans of his Modenese masterpieces will not be disappointed by the La Ferrari starring in his “Old Propaganda Posters.” This piece -one of his numerous debuts- represents an amalgam of Saigon and Hanoi, two cities he recently visited.
“Old Propaganda Posters,” by Jay Koka.
The incredibly dynamic sculptures of Tony Sikorski are always a delight to behold, and his wood “8 Cylinder DuPont Speedster” is another special tribute to those rare DuPont automobiles.
Widely known and admired for shaping the look of Road & Track magazine for decades, William A. “Bill” Motta always brings something special and unexpected to the canvas. His “Mercury at the Marina” is an abstract combination of two images, while “Morgan Super Sport” is a colorful interpretation of a 1937 Morgan trike.
“Mercury at the Marina,” by William A. Motta.
“Morgan Super Sport,” by William A. Motta.
David Chapple has a gift for creating realistic perspective in two dimensions or three, and his bold automotive artwork has inspired fans from around the world. His “250 SWB” portrays an iconic 1962 Ferrari 250 GT Short Wheelbase from an unusual angle.
“250 SWB,” by David Chapple.
Talented art educator and painter Sue Steele Thomas will be sharing her unique visions of nature and automobiles with the piece “Alfa Romeo Through the Shasta Daisies,” which views a 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B Speciale ‘LeMans’ Touring through a bright botanical overlay.
“Alfa Romeo through the Shasta Daisies,” by Sue Steele Thomas.
Austrian fine artist Klaus Wagger made his reputation at Paris’s Retromobile, and he’s crossing the pond to share his gorgeous “1.9.3.7”. This piece depicts that year’s German Grand Prix battle between Mercedes-Benz W125 driver Rudolph Caracciola and Auto Union Type C driver Bernd Rosemeyer.
“1.9.3.7,” by Klaus Wagger.
‘Whimsical’ is a great description of AFAS member Bruce Wheeler’s three-dimensional automotive sculptures. His “Over The Top” is an interpretation of a 1909 Peugeot VX5, with its bizarre overhead exhaust pipe.
“Over the Top,” by Bruce Wheeler.
Impressionism takes a deft hand and special eye to create, and Peter Hearsey applies that form to motoring subjects on two and four wheels. His “Hailwood Wins the 1967 Lightweight TT in the Isle of Man” is set near his home on that famous Isle, and the beautiful “Nuvolari Winning the 1933 TT” illustrates Tazio’s famous victory in a M.G. K3 Magnette.
“Hailwood Wins the 1967 Lightweight TT in the Isle of Man,” by Peter Hearsey.
“Nuvolari Winning the 1933 TT,” by Peter Hearsey.
Noted AFAS sculptor Robert Pietruska interprets automotive forms in exciting and sensual ways, and he’s bringing his eponymous take on the Ford GT, which combines flawlessly painted fiberglass and a black steel base. Among his other new pieces will be Ferraris and a McLaren.
Robert Pietruska’s sculpture of a Ford GT.
Formula 1 and other high-energy forms of racing are a favored subject of Niles Nakoka, whose two entries this year are done in acrylic, rather than his trademark watercolor; “Senna” is a tribute to Ayrton, while “Keep Fighting Michael” -shared here- honors Michael Schumacher.
“Keep Fighting Michael,” by Niles Nakoka.
Honored as an AFAS Guest Artist for the 2015 exhibit, sculptor James Ferrari (yes, that’s really his last name!) will show four of his pieces, all of which incorporate genuine Ferrari car parts. On special loan from a private collection will be “Cheetah ZFFX F012,” is sculpted to include a Ferrari 308 cylinder head.
“Cheetah ZFFX F012,” by James Ferrari
