CARMEL, Calif. – July 23, 2019 – Artist Dan McCrary will debut several mesmerizing paintings as part of the Automotive Fine Arts Society (AFAS) exhibit at the New Masters Gallery in Carmel, during Monterey Collector Car Week. The work, “Birdcage” and “Formerly Elegant,” will be shown at the free art show from Saturday, August 10 through Sunday, August 18.
“I was honored that AFAS asked me to return and display my work as part of their show during Monterey Collector Car Week,” said McCrary. “My pieces typically conjure the spirit of a classic car by focusing on some overlooked aspects of the vehicle or by putting it in an unusual situation. Great conflict creates great art, which is why I often add a haunting or evocative element to a piece.”
“Birdcage” is an original watercolor that spans 25.5” by 16.5”. It celebrates the Maserati Tipo 61 racecar that competed in races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It featured an intricate tubular space frame chassis containing about 200 tubes welded together, hence the nickname “Birdcage.” This created a more rigid and lighter chassis than other sports cars of the time. Famous birdcage pilots included Carroll Shelby, Masten Gregory, Stirling Moss and Dan Gurney
“I’ve always been fascinated by the elaborate superstructure of these stunning Maserati racecars,” said McCrary. “The beautiful chassis is an amazing feat of engineering. This painting is my effort to examine it from the point of view of its more important and artistic feature.”
The second piece by McCrary is entitled “Formerly Elegant.” The 16.5” by 25” original watercolor depicts a classic car well past its glory years.
“This piece features a 1960 Lincoln Continental in a sad state of decay,” said McCrary. “The irony is that this rusted hulk could well have been an elegant coach that transported the elites of society to their formal evenings out. Now it is just a forgotten cast off.”
Dan McCrary was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1949, and his earliest memories are of old Ford Coupes with loud, unmuffled flathead engines roaring around the quarter mile oval at the old Raleigh Speedway in the mid 1950’s. That was the point of no return, so to speak. The sound, the colors, the spectacle of it all had him hooked for life.
Though he never lost his car lust, he went on a detour through the music business that lasted quite a few years. After playing music on the road for some time, he worked in a music store, played with sports cars, and took up drawing/painting cars again, on the side. Eventually Dan transitioned into automotive artist on a fulltime basis around 1980, with watercolor evolving into his medium of choice.
Dan started researching car shows in Hemmings Motor News as venues for his art. As he traveled and gained more exposure, he began getting invitations to participate in juried/invitational automotive art exhibits at Concours d’ Elegance around the U.S. Dan has been featured in a wide variety of automotive publications, as well as winning awards at many of the Concours. His work can be found in several prominent individual and corporate collections.
To see more of Dan McCrary’s work, view the collection on his website: http://www.dmccraryart.com/
The AFAS exhibit opens at the New Masters Gallery at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 10 and closes at 5:30. Those hours will continue through Friday, August 16. On Saturday (August 17), the exhibit again opens at 10:00 a.m., while a reception honoring the latest AFAS artist’s work begins at 4:00 p.m. and concludes at 6:30. The reception has evolved into a popular hotspot for celebrities, art collectors and industry leaders to preview and purchase the latest AFAS pieces. The gallery is located at Dolores St. between Ocean Ave. and 7th St. in Carmel-By-The-Sea, California.
About the Automotive Fine Arts Society
AFAS was established in 1983 by a group of artists who are acknowledged by critics to be among the best in their field. Members work in many diverse mediums including oil, watercolors, acrylics, wood, gouache, pen & ink, clay and metal. AFAS and its members participate in select shows across the world. Information about AFAS is available at www.autoartgallery.com.
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