Five Favorite Hot Rod Artists

For my 60th birthday my wife surprised me with my own Tom Fritz original of my '32. I've done a little automotive art, so I'm really critical of others work. Every year we go to Pebble Beach and after looking at the cars, go through the Automotive Fine Arts display. There's a lot of artists, and then there is Tom Fritz. He's got the light figured out and can give the illusion of great detail without getting tedious, and no gimmicks. As far as I'm concerned he's the Norman Rockwell of automotive art.

 

Lance Sorchik,http://www.lancesorchik.com/Hot-Rod-art/2000-AD/11997651_gLX8RL#!i=850797292&k=Tgz6jgG
Jeff Norwell, Steve Stanford, Weesner, Dave Deal, You said five so I'll stop but there are lots more...

 

Ok, I was trying to put it into words, but I'm a weez fan. That reminds me, I need another T shirt...

 

Fritz's sunset painting is amazing.

 

Check out Jeff Norwell's web site, lots of great stuff!

 

All mentioned and plenty more, Sheeeyit, we can't forget Von Franco!

 

I will toss in the name of the late great Dave Bell. He had a style of his own and knew the nuances of every car portrayed.

 

Dave Kurz
www.dav3kurz.com

Bernie Ramirez
www.bernieramirez.com

Bill Neale
www.billneale.com

 

Keep an eye on him. Someday you can say you knew him when. His latest is incredible work.

 

There are so many great artists out there but I think you nailed a solid 5 for paintings like you said. I hope to keep at my own to become great someday. I do love rubens work also!!

 

That was exactly my thought as I checked out the Pebble Beach art exhibit. As I talked to some of the other artists exhibiting there at Pebble Beach, many of them felt the same way, Tom's in his own class. And he's all hot rods with his work, amongst all of the more-or-less classic car artists there. And he still stands out and has respect from those people. Classy guy too.

 

Sometimes I feel like I can just stare at them for hours... Soul stirring would be a good description for some of these works. At a lot of the shows I get as much out of the artists' vendor booths - sometimes as much as I get out of all the cars. My shop office has a couple framed Weesner prints, and I love Tom Fritz' stuff but can't afford it. I am a huge fan of Norwell also - surprised Ryan didn't mention him? I can hang with the car guys, as I do it 24/7. The artists are in a league of their own - that makes me appreciate them that much more.

 

Love his stuff too and have one on my wall - amazing what he can do with just a pencil!

 

While the thread title is misleading with respect to the criteria that Jive-Bomber presented, its intent is still very worthwhile. As far as automotive fine artists that specialize in original paintings Tom Fritz well deserves all of the accolades listed above. I would place him at the top of my list as well.

The fantastic Ed Tillrock actually posted an original oil painting here on the FAS a few weeks back - take a minute and check it out.

I also enjoy the impressionistic paintings of Dan Brown (dankyd).

 

I don't think I could do better than that, although I want to chime in that I think the advertising illustrators of the '40s and '50s are severely underrated. That is easily my favorite art style.

 

Weesner,but to some extent,all of them.Being someone who can't draw a straight line,I appreciate most artwork unless it's just plain bad.

 

Some newer guys that really inspire me:
Max Grundy
fearisthenewbeauty.com

Doug Horne
Swampfirelounge.com

Chris Dunlop
Pinstripechris.com

 

Fritz and Kurz then along came Foggertt (sp)...just so they don't have lights that come on as part of the art...ughhh.

 

Jonathan Bradstreet is damn good with a brush too. He's on the HAMB, maybe he'll post a few images...

 

X2 I also like Pete Milar, Jeff Norwell, and Tom Medley.

 

If we're talking just fine art paint, my favorites are, In no particular order, Mayabb, Stanford, Fritz, Deal, Norwell, Froggett, Smith, Tillrock

 

im going to give my favorite. its joel naprestek he can capture the super stock and a/fx era like no other. one of his pieces is painted on the wall at garlits museum honoring the ss/fx drivers.

 

Eric Black has to be right up there for me....so many good ones!

 

I picked up this Weesner print at a Swap Meet last year. It's one of my favorite pictures in my workshop!

 

I feature Jeff Norwell's fine art in my gallery as well as the works of less talented artists such as Picasso.

 

I'd have to agree with most every artist mentioned but disagree with your distinction between Artist and Illustrator. The difference as any illustrator knows is in the security of the financial reward.
An illustrator usually has an Art Director involved, a deadline, and a predetermined price.
An artist has only self imposed deadlines, no outside direction or client influence and no idea what he will receive financially.
Superior talent is required by both areas, technique or medium is not a distinction. Pen and ink, silkscreen, etching has all been employed by "fine artists" as well as oils.
Remember Michelangelo was commissioned and art directed by a Pope.

 

WELL SAID !!
Mort Lawrence captured the fast and furious spirit in the 50s .

 

JEFF NORWELL, Can do anything if you can describe it.

 

Stefan Marjoram & Ben Quilty are the best modern painters. Artists? Geo Ham, Gus Maanum. Hot rod? - very narrow field- artists? (the word is over-used). Those already mentioned, plus?



Please excuse my butting in on the greats here. Weekly, I paint car portraits that 'stir no emotion'. They stir enough to put a lil' food on the table. I also do 'live' portraits of motorsport.
The adjoining pic shows a selection of the last 12 week's work. I see few others painting from life. These are all sourced from the 'live' subject. Direct. Studio input usually consists of minor digital re-touching for eventual print or online use.
The attached pic shows my relief at having finished with the easel that I had set in the strip stands in order to do this 3 1/2 hour painting.

 

x2

I can't argue with the list, just the seemingly implied idea that "classically trained painters" corner the market on fine art

Tillrock's pencil illustrations are every bit the "fine art" as any painting you'll find.