In
1988, after fifteen years of doing various forms of commercial illustration,
it was time for a change so I decided to seriously take up painting in
acrylics and watercolors.
My love of old machinery, especially aircraft and
automobiles, and my fascination with the elegance of the past immediately
became central to my work.
There is a romance to be found in old vehicles that
has all but vanished today. In the early years of this century the line
between the arts and technology was much less defined. Machines were
designed by gentleman engineers who believed that style was just as
important as function - yet their machines functioned superbly. The Spitfire
of World War II fame, for example was one of the most beautiful
aircraft ever made while also being one of the era's deadliest fighters.
Decadently luxurious, multi-ton Duesenbergs were built like jewelry, yet
could out-accelerate many of today's cars. The likes of Bentleys,
Bugattis, Alphas and Jaguars campaigned at Le Mans painted in the colors of
their countries of origin for national pride - a far cry from the current
crop of advertising-covered racers.
