Mustang and All Ford Weekend

For all you Ford lover's in the Jeffersonville, Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky area, there's a show scheduled just before Father's Day. The "Mustang and All Ford Weekend," sponsored by the Falls City Mustang Club, will be held on Saturday, June 20th. Attending a car show is a great way to spend part of your Father's Day weekend. And you never know what Dad's Day goodies you may come across!

Show details:
8 A.M. on Saturday June 20th
Located at Quartermaster Station, Hwy. 62 (E. 10th St.), Jeffersonville, IN. Exit #1 off I -65 just across the bridge from Louisville, KY.
There is also a Pony Trail to Salem Speedway on Friday for show participants. Contact info: Steve Merritt 812-944-5271.

Stop by and check out the expected 200 or so cars, and say hi to Jim. He'll have a few of Michael's Mustang prints framed (available for purchase) on display as well as will be accepting orders for, amongst other things, Michael's much anticipated, "Marauders of Woodward" print, due to be released later this year.

Jim is authorized to accept orders for the EXCLUSIVE PRE-RELEASE OFFER of "Marauders of Woodward", which expires June 30th, 2009. This is a unique opportunity to prepurchase a limited piece of artwork, at an incredible price. As an added bonus, all Limited Edition Prints, Artist Proofs and Gallery Edition Canvases ordered before the June 30th deadline will be co-signed by Steve Babcock (Production Manager of the Maruauder) and will be accompanied by a reproduction of Michael's original sketch. This is a historic, first time ever, exclusive opportunity!

Jim will also be showing a Gallery Edition Canvas of the sold out print, "Kings of the Road." At twice the size of the original painting, it's really cool!

If you haven't had the opportunity to see Michael's work up close and personal, you are in for a treat ... his use of high impact color and incredible attention to detail is second to none. And can only truly be appreciated when you see his art in person.

Whatever you choose to do this upcoming weekend, have fun doing it! Happy Father's Day. - Linda & Michael

Father's Day - Sweeet & Sugar Free Dessert!

We were at the Fleetwood Country Cruizin (a sweeeet car show with over 3000 cars, including 1500 Ford Mustangs, a real 1970 orange Plymouth Superbird, countless Oldsmobiles, Chevys, Pontiacs, Mopars, race cars, motorbikes, firetrucks, Amphicars, you name it) in London, Ontario on June 5th, and a new client was purchasing Michael's GTO painting, "The Goat Farmer" (shown above), for his dad for Father's Day. Good thing too, because I had forgotten Father's Day is just around the corner! Although I talk a lot about Michael's automotive art, muscle cars and the car shows and events we attend, I thought this time I'd share a recipe instead.

My father is a diabetic, has been for over 25 years. And for the most part, until recently, has managed the whole time with diet alone. Events like Christmas, birthdays and Father's Day, have become a personal challenge for me .... to create an amazing dessert, using no sugar. Like many people afflicted with Diabetes, my father has a huge sweet tooth. Managing the disease without drugs, he has all but removed sugar from his diet, so my desserts are a real treat.

It's taken me a while, but I've managed to fine tune a couple of desserts that, by my dad's tough standards, are real winners ... and are completely sugar, glucose, fructose, etc. free! Here's one of my latest creations (by the way, this one even received the stamp of approval by my brother, a Chef of 20 years!):

SUGAR FREE STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE (makes 6 servings)
Cake
1 - 1/4 cups sifted flour
1/2 cup Splenda granulated
1 - 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 large eggs, beaten for 2-3 minutes on high
1/2 cup milk
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 1 loaf pan (I use a pyrex one).
2. Combine flour, Spenda, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Cut butter into flour mixture with a fork or a pastry blender until crumbly. (This procedure may be done with a mixer at the lowest speed).
3. Stir together eggs, milk and vanilla in a small mixing bowl; add 1/3 of the egg mixture to flour mixture. Beat at low speed of an electric mixer until blended. Beat at medium speed for 30 seconds or until batter is smooth, stopping to scrape down sides of the bowl. Repeat procedure 2 times. Spoon batter into prepared pan.
4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, cut into 12 equal slices. If cake happens to "fall" or "compress", don't worry, it still works very well in the dessert.

Strawberries
2 lbs fresh strawberries
1/4 cup Splenda granulated
6 tblsp balsamic vinegar

1. Slice strawberries.
2. Toss with Splenda and balsamic vinegar.
3. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours (a bit longer is better - makes more "syrup").
   

Topping
2 cups whipping cream
2 tblsp Spenda

1. Stir Splenda into whipping cream, whip until stiff.
2. Place 2 slices of cake, side by side, in 6 individual serving dishes.
3. Top with strawberries, distributing evenly.
4. Top each with generous dolop of whip cream.
5. Serve it up ... guilt free!!

Whether you treat your father to gifts like automotive fine art, a trip to a car show, a nice meal, or just some quiet time (without being pestered to do yard work), we hope that both you and dad enjoy it. I know Michael will. Dessert aside, I overheard him talking to our son about working on one of our cars - the 1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula (it's the gold one on the right, behind the cactus)! Have a Happy Father's Day. - Linda

Cool Mustang Police Chase

We receive emails daily from our clients, that include photos of their cars (of course - everyone hopes to see their car appear in one of Michael's automotive fine art paintings!), photos of car shows and other automotive events, family album stuff, and then, just cool things that they, themselves, have come across.

The video below is just that. And trust me, even if you're not a fan of Ford's Shelby Mustang, you'll have to admit that this ad for one of America's top modern muscle cars is just really, really cool! And face it, we all like cool stuff!

"Ask anybody over 50 this question, "What's the coolest thing you've ever owned?" Without missing a beat, most people will mention a favorite car or truck. It's been this way for generations. Cars are cool. Americans love them, what they stand for, their technology, and the freedom they provide."- by Rex Roy | AOL Autos

I don't usually forward emails, or share the jokes, etc that we receive. But this was just too neat to pass up on passing on. And although there are muscle cars used in almost every type of tv ad these days, including most recently Cialis and Nivea, this ad is all about the car, for the car lover! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. - Linda

Inspiring Car Art

As an automotive artist, one of the questions Michael gets asked most often is, "What motivates or inspires you in your car art?" There is no one answer. Sometimes it's being at the right place at the right time. Or at the right car show at the right time, as was the case for the painting, "From Showroom to Showfield" (shown above).

It was back in 1997 (I can't believe it's been 12 years!). We were attending the All-Ford Nationals in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Not only an amazing swap meet for anyone looking to restore a car, but also a pretty good car show. Over the years we've seen incredible collections of Cougars, Fairlanes, Torinos, Galaxies, Thunderbirds, to name a few. And of course, Mustangs.

In 1997, however, Michael noticed that more and more new cars were showing up on the field. Literally, it seemed, driving (or being trailered) from the Ford showroom or car lot, right to the showfield. New classes were created and these cars became instant classics. This inspired Michael to paint, "From Showroom to Showfield" - paying tribute to the Mystic and Saleen Mustangs, with a nod and a glimpse at the other classics in the reflections of these incredible cars.

"Motivation is everything. You can do the work of two people, but you can't be two people. Instead, you have to inspire the next guy down the line and get him to inspire his people." - Lee Iacocca

Recently, something else has helped to influence Michael - let's call it collective enthusiasm! Michael is known internationally for his paintings of "modern muscle" with paintings like, "New to the Chase", "The Chase Lives On" and "Shakin' Up the Street", so a Marauder painting was on the list of future projects. But it is David Popovich and the Motor City Marauders that are making it really happen. A group of owners/ enthusiasts, they have gotten together to commission Michael to create one of his high impact color, stunning watercolor paintings, this time featuring the powerful Mercury Marauder.


As a special thanks to this great group, Michael has decided to release a reproduction of the original sketch to those collectors that preorder "Marauders of Woodward" before May 17th, 2009. This is a one time, free offer - additional sketches will NOT be available. This is also the first time, ever, that Michael has released a pencil sketch, making this even more special, unique and collectible. Plus, all prints ordered before June 30th, 2009 will be co-signed by Steve Babcock, "The Father of the Marauder", Mercury Marauder Production Manager!

As part of the deal with the Motor City Marauders, for Michael to start painting, 100 orders need to be prepaid. The sooner that goal is reached, the sooner he'll start and the sooner the prints and sketches will be released. Now that's motivational! - Linda

Immortalizing Collector Cars

Why is the 1968 Shelby GT 500 ("Kings of the Road" shown above) so collectible, while, say the 1976 Chevrolet Chevette is not. Okay, admittedly, that's an extreme example and the reasons are beyond obvious, but my point is, what makes one car soar in collectibility and value in the eyes of collectors and enthusiasts, while others are seemingly passed over? And what, if anything, can change a car's status?

Of course there are several factors that contribute to the popularity of an automobile; production numbers, horsepower, performance, aesthetics ... the list goes on. Once a car is immortalized, in movies, television shows, die cast replicas and art, however, it's status and value as a true collector car increases. I cannot remember the last time I saw a movie that didn't have a Ford Mustang in it. Or a Chevy Corvette. Or a Dodge Charger. Arguably, these are some of the most iconic and highly valued classics on the market today.

That brings me to the Mercury Marauder - specifically the 2003-2004 limited production models, designed by Steve Babcock. Many owners of this car are die hard enthusiasts. Many started with the Ford Mustang, and have since moved to the roomier Marauder. It may appear to some to be a luxury sedan, but make no mistake, like many "sleepers," this is a powerful muscle car!

So far, these cars are revered by the people that own them, but have not yet reached the collector values that some of their counterparts have. But that may be about to change. Working with the Motor City Marauders, Michael has started on a painting, entitled "Marauders of Woodward." It features all four colors of Mercury's sinister 300 hp 4.6 V8, racing down the famous Woodward Avenue in Detroit, Michigan during the annual Dreamcruise. With plans to have it completed this summer, fans of the Marauder are in for a treat. This is the first time the car has been immortalized in this way.


Dave Popovich of the Motor City Marauders, having been a long time fan and owner of some of Michael's work, including "Shakin' Up The Street," (shown above) was instrumental in making this happen. It's his devotion to the car, the website, forum and its members, that helped inspire Michael. As always, Michael strives to be as technically accurate as possible, so a big thanks to Steve Babcock for his help in that area.

Limited Edition Prints, Artist Proofs with Remarque and Gallery Editon Canvases of "Marauders of Woodward" are slated to be released by fall 2009. I'll keep you posted. - Linda

People & Things in Your Life

This week, a very good friend's mother passed away. Although it wasn't a surprise, still it hit hard. My friend chose to spend hours on the road several times a month over the course of the year that her mother was in hospital. In the last few weeks, she made the 4 hour round trip almost daily. I think she didn't want to have any regrets. And although it may have been a bit trying sometimes, juggling work, kids and an ailing mother, I think she's at peace with how she handled things.

The whole thing got me thinking about decisions we make every day about who and what we include in our lives. We all make choices daily about who we spend time with as well as how we spend it. I don't think anyone ever regrets spending a few hours with someone who makes them feel good or is important to them in some way. The same goes for the items we surround ourselves with.

I'm not suggesting that buying everything we see is the ticket to happiness, far from it. But every now and then an object, collectible, car ... whatever, comes up that you just know you'll regret passing on.

"To believe in yourself and to follow your dreams, to have goals in life and a drive to succeed, and to surround yourself with the things and the people that make you happy - this is success!" - Sasha Azevdo

I've heard Michael's philosophy on the whole, 'missing out' thing. It goes something like this: "You don't regret the one you did buy (unless it's a real lemon of a car) but you do regret missing out on the one you really wanted."

About 6 years ago, in search of a 2nd classic car, Michael spotted a 1970 Mach 1 in the Auto Trader. It was located about 2 hours north of us. I couldn't go see it with him, so Michael set off on his own. He and I talked about it before he left. He felt it was a fair price for the car if it was in the condition as described. I didn't resist, in fact gave him the green light to go ahead - no phone call needed. It turned out to be better than he thought, a great specimen of a Ford Mustang, Mach 1! Pewter with a red interior, I think it had the fold down back seat and air conditioning.

For some reason, Michael hesitated. Having a clear path to purchase it, he chose, instead to hop into the van and give me a call. As he pulled in across the street from where the Mach was parked, he saw another guy shaking hands with the owner and then both of them walking into the house together. And that was that. To say he regretted losing the car, would be an understatement. Needless to say, he's never made that mistake again!


This is true of other things as well. Those that collect Michael's car art know what I'm talking about: missing out on a limited edition print or canvas. Michael's Mach 1 print, Mach Speed, sold out a couple of years ago. I've lost count of how many requests we've had for it since then. There are a lot of people kicking themselves, especially since it's tripled in price in the secondary market. Many have asked about a second printing, but as a limited edition, once they're gone, that's it. It is available as a Gallery Edition Canvas.

Take the time to smell the flowers. Spend time with a friend or loved one. Apply for that job. Ask that person out for coffee. And surround yourself with people and objects that enhance your life. - Linda

Is Art is Healthy?

I picked up a copy of our local newspaper today and in the Arts & Entertainment section I came across the headline, "Doctor prescribes a healthy dose of art." You can see how that would peak my interest, with Michael being an artist. As it turned out, the article was about an area doctor who took the building her old practice was in and converted it into an art gallery which would feature her abstract paintings as well as those of other local artists. The headline obviously originated from her being a physician as well the following quote:

"Art is very truthful. What comes out is very honest; it comes from the soul, from one's spirit."

Anything that powerful has to have a healthy effect on us. That got me thinking about art and what it contributes to our lives. We've always said that although it's not a staple, like water or bread, having beautiful things surrounding us is important to our well being and in that sense art is essential to our lives. For some, a colorful floral or rich landscape brightens their day. For others a Norman Rockwell-style piece reflecting the past is the ticket. And for others still, it's a subject they are passionate about. Like cars.

I met one of our clients in person last summer. Since we don't do very many shows, it was somewhat of a rare treat. His wife told us that he has one of Michael's prints (I think it's "They Came With The Farm" - the all Mopar painting), hanging in the hall just outside their bedroom door. Each and every morning he spends 5 minutes gazing at the print. He says it sets the mood for his day. His wife said that he's been happier since he started the ritual - he rarely misses a day!

Michael is a very talented and versatile artist. And I'm not just saying that because I'm his wife. Over the years, he's expertly painted wildlife, architectural landmarks, vineyards and orchards. In fact, he's been asked on more than one occasion to expand his portfolio to include other subject matters. But his passion is the automobile. He just loves cars, plain and simple. And that's why he paints them. He takes enjoyment in painting them, driving them, working on them and just plain looking at them! Call him a gearhead, motorhead or enthusiast, he's right in there with the people that collect his work. It's that passion that comes through in each and every painting. It's that passion that people feel when they look at his work.

So, is art healthy? Absolutley. It adds color to our walls and to our lives. It brightens a gray day and lifts our spirits. It brings us joy and creates positive feelings. Sounds pretty healthy to me! - Linda