Sunday 15 July 2007

Phantasmagorey - My car



Fun Monday this week - hosted by Tiggerlane is to show everyone our cars.

I have to confess that generally I think cars are boring and people who are impressed by them need to find more meaningful things in their lives. Harsh, I know, however I do think that what kind of car one choses to ride around in does say a lot about one's personality. I'm a bit of a pig and can't keep anything including my car in clean condition. When I spent a year in Germany, I was so impressed by how well everyone cared for their cars (I think they are required to by law) and when I returned, I was determined to come home and always have a beautiful pristine coach from then on. Of course that lasted about two months.

People who have been reading my blog for a while know that I took a painting class this last Spring and that one of the projects for the class was to paint my car. I designed the images (used some bats I had done for a drawing class and shamelessly copied images from Edward Gorey stories for an ensemble of party-goers for the hood (bonnet)). The problem was that class ended and the students scattered and I was left with a half-painted car. Since I am registered for the Art Car Parade next Saturday (I'm car 47), it was important to get serious about finishing up the paintings on the hood, so today my mom and I set to work and finished off the painting. Here is the car as it currently stands. (Remember you can click on the images to enlarge them if the detail is not clear enough for you in the smaller image.)



On top you can see a headdress that I am still trying to engineer. I know I want some dangly pearls and some kind of central focal point. It is currently there to give people an idea of what to expect. Along the bumper I have glued some (plastic) pearls and diamonds, but I want some kind of big stone kind of thing in the center and I have not found it yet. I hope I can find some giant rubies!



Finally here is a closer view of the now mostly finished hood.



(I may add a coat to some areas and would like to “clear coat” the whole area afterwards.) Well, that is mine, and I can’t wait to see every body else’s car.

31 comments:

Molly said...

Although your car is only the second that I have seen in this Fun Monday car event, I am sure, without a doubt, that your car will be the most creatively painted. What a treat!

I have a difficult time keeping my car neat and clean especially on the inside.

Pamela said...

I love the CHESHIRE cat..

you are a hoot.... I can't believe you drive that down the street without someone rubber necking and having an accident.

woooo hoooo!!!!

Anonymous said...

Oooh! That came out beautiful! You guys did a great job. Have fun at the parade.

my4kids said...

Do you get noticed alot with your car?

The painting is pretty cool and I'll bet it will really get attention with a clear coat on it!

Anonymous said...

That is so COOL! What an amazing job you did. Good luck in the parade!

AfKaP said...

mjd, Thanks - I doubt mine will be the most creative - you should see some of those cars! (U guess you probably will next week come to think of it!! grin)!

Pamela, I get looks but very few - most people here are too polite to stare!

Min- Thanks! We will report back on the parade!

My4kids - Minnesotans are VERY polite and don't stare because they don't want to be impolite!!

Thanks, JoyT I've startedleaking oil - so I'm worried about making it to the parade!

neroli said...

Dear Artist, loving the car.
This is an impermanent solution to your wish for rubies---how 'bout red hard candies? Some of those lollipops and candy-coated apples can get pretty big, and a range of sizes might be fairly easy to find.
And the added fauna that might be attracted by confections could be a serendipitous addition?
Or maybe not...
(smiling)

Steffi said...

Wow...what a cool car!The painted pictures are really nice!

Anonymous said...

That car is totally friggin' cool. Great job.

Beckie said...

That is absolutely amazing detail on the hood! I would definitely get it clear coated. I must say you win the award for the most uniquely painted car - very nice job!

So, uh, do you turn a lot of heads with that ride??

AfKaP said...

Neroli - It sounds as good as anything I've come up with - we are going to the dollar store today to see if there are children's toy jewels.

Thanks, Steffi and Nikki! I try.

Beckie - Miinnesotans don't like to stand out or be rude so they try to pretend they aren't looking - Heads don't turn, but I can see the eyes move.

bichonpawz said...

hahahahaha!! Mushu and Chloe are blogging buddies! Actually, if you put the two of them next to
each other...they might look like brother and sister! Yeah. You gotta get a scooter...they are
the BEST. And I can't speed. Top Speed on mine is 35mph!!

Your ride is very cool! Have a great time at the parade!! And I just discovered you like IKEA....love that place. Have fun with your mom, hope you are feeling better!! Hey, are you located anywhere near Plymouth, MN?

AfKaP said...

Hey Bichonpaws - not too close to Plymouth - I'm NW a few miles of St. Cloud (mostly West)

Robinella said...

Very awesome painting! I've never heard of painted cars, I'll have to peek back when you write about it.

Anonymous said...

now that is a creative lookin car;) sweet!

ChrisB said...

Your car is amazing I knew you would make a good job the decorating.

Tiggerlane said...

I'm so glad to see that more work has been done on the car! I'm also glad you participated, b/c you have one of the most unique rides of the participants - thanks again!

Beccy said...

Wendy what a fab car, you've been very busy. Have fun at the parade.

Debs said...

Very creative! As Pamela said you are a HOOT and I love your blog.

I think your car is the coolest!

willowtree said...

I'm speechless.....

Robocop said...

Nice artwork.

Anonymous said...

Do a lot of people stare at you as you drive around?

Anonymous said...

That is one cool car. I would love to drag Main with you sometime.

theotherbear said...

OH, WOW!!!!!
I think I have seen photos of your car on someone else's blog. As a curio perhaps.

captain corky said...

Very cool! When I was kid my mother had the word, "Van" written on both sides of her van in bubble letters and, "Door" written on the back. I caught a lot of crap for it. ;)

AfKaP said...

Neroli, Candies would look great, but if it rains I'm afraid I would be caught without my jewels.

Robinella - yesterday we bought jewels so the head dress may finally come together.

Min - yes, people stare all the time!

ChrisB, WolfB. Tiggerl., Beccy, Debs, Willow, everyone thank you so much for the conifdence building!!

Swamp witch we could throw you and the broom on top with the feather headdress and do some kewl cruisin'!

Anonymous said...

Yep, as I'm trying to hit Fun Mondays on a Tuesday, yours is definitely the most original car so far (not counting Willowtree's Wiener, but he didn't paint that after all;) ). Like Molly's green Gremlin, you'll never lose that car in a parking lot!

I need to take an art class....your creativity oozes from your pores!

Bello (Buddy) Manjaro said...

"I'm a bit of a pig and can't keep anything including my car in clean condition. " I am glad i am not the only one.

i care that a car runs. thats it. i am very unguy like with respects to cars. i think i could spot a vw bug and vw van. everything else just looks like eberything else.

AfKaP said...

CC - Kids sure can be lacking in humor - good thing they get older!

Robin - Take that class, you won't regret it! Everyone is creative - we just need to learn how to vent it!

FP - I am in total agreement about cars and can recognize the same makes!!

Unknown said...

Omg. That is AWESOME. And it made me laugh. You're SO brave!!!

Nessa said...

I love your car.