Bound for Firenze

So I'm leaving for Florence, Italy on Sept.29 to go to the Michelangelo Art School. The school offers apartments and they emailed some photos... all the apartments look tiny, but you know, I'm gonna try to stay mellow about this trip and adopt the Italian attitude, "everything will work out in the end."

The art courses will focus on classical painting technique and the studio will be available after class if I want to continue painting (they also have art history and language course). The school is located in the heart of the city near the Duomo in a 17th century building and the apartments are within walking distance to the school. For those of you who have been to Florence you know that Firenze is a "walking" city. You can get to most anywhere using your feet.

Artworks for the Cure

The T. J. Martel Lukemia Charity by way of the recording industry is having an Art Auction at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica on Sunday Sept. 26th, 1pm to 5pm. The Event is called “Artworks For The Cure” and the address is Writer's Boot Camp at Bergamot Station 2525 Michigan Ave bldg. #1, Santa Monica, CA 90404

Along with many celebrities art work, I submitted a Fine Art Giclee Print on 100% German Rag paper with a “Duganne Ateliers” “Chop Mark” in the lower left hand corner, beautifuly framed and ready to hang ....I'll be there to greet you. For more info go to Artworks for the Cure.

Concours D'Elegance

1933 "Streamline " Peirce - Arrow

The Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance is the most prestigious automobile show in the world and is held at the18th Hole of the lodge on Pebble Beach, one of California's most beautiful pieces of costal real estate.

1936 54k Mercedes-Benz Roadster

I was privileged to be invited by my friend Mickey Kapp and his wife Joyce who live in nearby Pacific Grove, a small lovely Victorian suburb of Monterey.... Mickey also happens to be a judge at the Concours for 12 years now and has a now famous "Car Guys " party on Saturday afternoons. The party's "driveway" show car and featured marquee at the show was a fantastic restoration of a 1933 Pierce-Arrow convertible with a rumble seat! There were many other Pierce-Arrow examples at the show.

Pierce-Arrows were easily identified by the revolutionary
headlight design, an integral part of the fender.

It was a hectic but fun schedule that included a virtual whirlwind of soirees including a Jaguar party Thursday night, a Gooding Company party Friday night (the official auctioneer for the Concours), a Mercedes-Benz party and a very exclusive event held at the Lodge for about 25 VIP'S..... Then of course, there was Mickey's party Saturday afternoon and finally a Saturday evening party hosted by Angela and Joe Cortone of Chicago for 40 guests at a wonderful Italian restaurant in Carmel called Niko.

Un-restored Pierce-Arrow

Sunday was the big day. Joyce organized a spot right in front of the "ramp" where the winners are announced and set up a picnic with two other couples. We feasted on sandwiches, salads, drinks and desserts in the front row seat as we watched the winners accept their awards. The best of show was a1933 Delage D8S De Villars Roadster (below) from the Patterson Collection in Louisville, KY, a very simple and yet elegant car. After the show still yet another party at the Pebble Beach Country Club exclusive to the judges and car owners... Whew!!! This show features some of the most world-renown cars on the planet and it was a sheer joy to be there.

Best of Show 1933 Delage Roadster

Perris, Je t'aime

It's a process.

First the panoramic photo of Perris, CA.

Then the sketches.

Have custom canvases made to size.

Then transfer sketch to canvas.

Paint.

Fini! Perris, Je t'aime #1

Autos As Art

The Concours d'Elegance was held on June 22 on Rodeo Dr. in Beverly Hills, CA. My 1961 Mercedes 300SL is pictured along with some show highlights.

Lanse Haslerig & his wife...Lanse did the body, paint & restoration.

We're parked at the foot of Via Rodeo where it meets Rodeo Dr. The yellow Ferrari Enzo is in the middle and on the right is a beautiful red '57 gull wing. The Enzo sells for $2 mil.

To the right, just behind my car was this drop head, drop dead '63Rolls going for $650,000.

Rear ends aplenty...my car has fitted luggage with the same leather as the upholstery.

A brief moment with no crowds.

A very rare '48 Tucker convertible. The headlight in the middle turns with the steering wheel.

A '49 Beetle with genuine ostrich upholstery.

Scott Melnick's '38 Ford pick-up truck...UNRESTORED!!! (Except for the hot rod Chevy engine.) It sat in a Texas field for 12 years where people used it for target practice, there are bullet holes in the windshield. It was a coal delivery truck in Colorado and delivered ice in the summer. It's my choice for car of the show.

The crowds got pretty thick by 12 noon. The 11 o'clock news said there were 10,000 people at the show.

Art & Cars

Some feel that cars can be works of art. My 1961 Mercedes 300SL Roadster will be featured in the Rodeo Concours d’Elegance this Sunday, June 20. Lots of festivities and celebs and it’s all free. Hope to see you there, we’ll be on Via Rodeo. To see a a video from last year’s Concours go to http://tinyurl.com/2g84lyx

Art Class

Started the Spring Semester at Beverly Hills High School in Portraiture. It's a terrific class with many talented people. We joke around about politics, sex, medical B.S. and of course, art. We kid about the class having 20 teachers and the poor (real ) teacher doesn't have a chance The class is very much like a TV sit-com...... Would probably make a great script....... We have live professional models every week.... This week we had a beautiful girl (6'4" plus high heels!!) in a very sexy polka dot dress.....We used to have occasional nude models (both male and female ) but that had to stop, especially during the day when the high school students always tried to peek in ... They still do have nudes but only in the evening classes and I think they keep the doors locked......