Charlotte Autofair at the Speedway

Richard Petty will be on site to meet and greet his many fans. Here's what the official website has to say:

Seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Richard Petty will greet fans on Saturday, Aug. 28, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Carolina Carports vendor space in the Manufacturers' Midway during the Food Lion AutoFair. 

We'll be there too! And we'll have "Service Fit For A King" on display, both framed, unframed and as a Gallery Edition Giclée Canvas ... might be a good time to get it autographed by the King himself.

Service Fit For A King

We'll be showing Michael's work along side the classic car invitational display. Looks like we'll be in pretty good company. Scheduled for the weekend's activities:  the world's only collection of street legal bumper cars, a 70th anniversary display of 1940 Fords, custom vans and recent The Tonight Show guest 92-year-old Rachel Veitch.

The Food Lion Autofair runs August 26-29th at the Charlotte Motorspeedway. Hope to see you there. — Linda

The Mopar Nationals at the National Trail Raceway in Hebron, Ohio

It was HOT at the Mopar Nationals this year. And I don't just mean all those Dodges and Plymouths! Don't get me wrong, there were some pretty amazing cars on site, including a nice collection of Vipers. But I'm pretty sure the temperatures reached over 105 degrees. Let's just say, it was a toasty automotive event.

VIEW FROM OUR TENT AT THE MOPAR NATIONALS IN HEBRON, OHIO

We were in our new location (L4-5) this year., which worked out perfectly for us. Instead of looking across the aisle at tools, we had a great view of a couple of Petty wing cars and a smaller view of the beginning of the staging lanes for the drag strip. So, for once, I got so see a lot of cars. Usually, Michael goes out exploring, admiring, photographing and shopping, while I "man the booth."

We also had a chance to meet up with some friends (old and new) as well as visit with Mopar Enthusiast  Editor Geoff Stunkard, who we'd seen last at the Wellborn Muscle Car Museum during the Wing Car Reunion in October 2009. He's going to be including a bit about "They Came With The Farm Too" in this year's November issue. Thanks Geoff!

If you're a fan of the Amos Automotive magazine line up, you've probably seen a copy of Muscle Car Enthusiast February 2008. If you haven't, it's worth looking out for. You may even want to contact the magazine and see about a back issue. It's a favorite issue of mine, because it featured "Opens At Eight" on the cover and they ran a supporting article about Michael in the magazine ... very cool!

MUSCLE CAR ENTHUSIAST CHALLENGER COVER

It's been a busy August for us, with the end not in sight yet. We are off to North Carolina to exhibit Michael's paintings at the Autofair. We'll be set up along side some pretty rare rides in the invitational automobile exhibit. If you have one more car show in you this year, stop on by and check out the cars and Michael's art! See you there. — Linda

Bothwell Car Show and Swap Meet Sponsored by Old Autos

I think I've mentioned before, that we might be considered a gear head family. This past weekend definitely speaks to that truth! Instead of taking it easy, hanging out on the home front, on one of the only non-working weekends we have this summer, we packed up the kids and headed for the annual Bothwell Car Show and Swap Meet in Bothwell, Ontario. It's brought to us by the folks at Old Autos.

About a 3 hour drive from our home, I have to say, it was a lot of fun. The swap meet held some great buys; Michael lucked out and found a spare wheel for our 1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula (apparently we didn't have one). I found some nifty collectible elephants for my mom's 74th birthday. Our daughter discovered auto related signage for her bedroom door (85 mph speed limit), and our son wheeled a sweet deal on a couple of 'dubbed out', hot rod 1:18 scale vehicles. And, the kettle corn was some of the best we've had. Overall a great success. My only complaint ... we didn't win the 50/50. The lady who did, took home over $17,000. That's NOT a typo. It's one of the biggest pots around and people travel from far and wide just for the chance to take it home.

All was not lost though, on the way home, we stayed in London at the Best Western Lamplighter ... if you're ever in the area, I highly recommend it ... they really know how to treat their guests.

But, back to the event. The swap meet covers 2 days (Friday and Saturday), with a car show all day Saturday. I caught Michael checking out some pretty nice rides, including an Olds the same color green as the one in his newest painting, "Four-Barrel Four-Speeds with Dual Exhaust". And, I have a feeling he might have been getting come inspiration for the next one?!?!?

Checking out the Oldsmobile Cutlass.

Do we see a Sting Ray in the next painting?

We even ran into a couple of clients, showing off their cars at the event. See you in Kitchener at Moparfest in a couple of weeks! Speaking of Moparfest, if you go on the West Jet Festivals webpage, you can vote for Moparfest as your favorite Canadian festival ... very neat.

We're gearing up for our next event, the Mopar Nationals at the National Trails Raceway just outside Columbus, Ohio. I'm looking forward to seeing some more familiar faces and showing off some of Michael's work. If you're in the area, stop by and see us at C9-10 on the Manufacturers Midway. Safe driving. Take care. — Linda

Car Shows in July

July is almost over, and with it nearly half the summer car show season has slipped by. I cannot believe it has been a month since I last posted anything on our blog. Between going to Chrysler Carlisle and the Concourse D'Elegance at Meadowbrook, the release of Michael's 429 Boss Mustang painting, "Boss Building" and the kids being home on summer vacation, it's been pretty crazy!

30' of art at Chrysler Carlisle 2010

Sometimes it's a juggle having two young kids (they're 10 and 12 now) and being able to attend and exhibit Michael's automotive art at car events. But getting to show people his incredibly detailed work up close and personal, and seeing their reactions to it, it's worth it! We get a lot of 'ooohs' and 'aaahs'. The most common thing we here?: "WOW!"

It's that kind of reaction that keeps Michael painting and let's him know he made the right decision in walking away from a successful career as as commercial artist to turn his talents on capturing the classic lines of the automobile! And he's lovin' it!

Here are just a few things people have had to say about Michael's paintings and the Limited Edition Prints, Artist Proofs with Remarque and Gallery Edition Canvases he offers:

"AWESOME!!!" — David M.

"Love Michael's art - especially that Petty print he recently released." — Terry D.

"... [they] look fantastic (as usual)" — Anthony T.

"The print looks great.  I can't wait for it to come so I can hang it next to the other one." — Dave H.

"Beautiful art work." — Jack N.

"Your passion for auto/art is leaps above the rest." — B.H.

"I love your work and can’t wait to buy your next Chevy painting – I have them all so far." — Dave L.

Thank you to everyone, everywhere, who has been so supportive of Michael's work! He couldn't do it without you!! From our family to yours, we hope you're enjoying a safe, happy, car show filled, summer. See you "at the show!" — Linda

Mopar Magic Show Close to Home

If you're in the Ottawa, Ontario area ... specifically anywhere near Cornwall ... and you're the least bit interested in Mopars, you should check out the Mopar Magic 2010 Car Show at Lamoureux Riverfront Park in Cornwall, Ontario. It's being held, rain or shine, on Saturday July 3rd. What a great way to round out the July 1st / July 4th (depending which side of the border you're from) long weekend!

Admission to the public is free, Car Registration is only $12 at the gate!

It's the 7th year this show's been around and our first time attending. Notman Chrysler Dodge Jeep is graciously sponsoring the event and allowing us to come along for the fun!!

If you haven't already seen Michael's "Service Fit For A King" or "They Came With The Farm Too" in person (especially as large Gallery Edition Canvaes), getting out to the show is a great excuse to!

Hope to see you there. Have a safe & joy-filled Canada Day and Fourth of July!! — Linda

Happy Father's Day 2010!

This year, in celebration of Father's Day, we'll be doing something completely different ... instead of attending an automotive event, we'll be exhibiting Michael's Limited Edition Prints and Gallery Edition Canvases at a local car show. Only 10 minutes from our home, The Autodream Group in Niagara Falls is hosting it's 4th Annual, any make, any model, classic car show. Last year, over 150 cars graced the restoration company's grounds. And this year they expect even more!

It's worth stopping by their Open House (running at the same time as the show), just to see the incredible 50,000 square foot facility. Not to mention, the cars the Autodream Group has on display!

So, if you're anywhere near Niagara Falls, Ontario and need a 'classic car fix' or you want to surprise dad and 'take him to the show', stop by and check it out: 

The Autodream Group

4605 Kent Avenue, Niagara Falls  

Website: TheAutodreamGroup.com 

Hope to see you there ... and no matter what you do, have a very Happy Father's Day!! - Linda

Automotive Art in the Headlines

Great to see some more press on Michael's latest paintings. I have to thank all the publications (magazine and on-line) that so graciously make the room to feature his new Limited Edition Prints, Artist Proofs with Remarque and Gallery Edition Canvases.

And, a great big thanks goes to those writers that take the time to scribe some pretty cool stuff about his work. Here's a link to a recent blurb in Old Cars Weekly on-line (click on the logo to get to the article). I'll be posting more as I come across them. Thanks! - Linda