Canadian Automotive Artists

While Canada does not figure prominently in the1988, Gordon decided to devote his energies full
manufacturing of automobiles the country doestime to art. He first worked in oils but then
have artists who are enthusiastic aboutchanged to acrylics. He has also worked in other
automobile subject matter. One of these is Paulmedia including watercolor, conte and pen and ink.
Chenard. Paul graduated from the Nova ScotiaGordon's style is realistic as he endeavors to
College of Art and Design with a BComDes.capture the nostalgic and historical appeal of the
Graphic Design in 1983. He is now employed byautomobile. Many of his pictures show vintage
Communications Nova Scotia, as a graphicautos in period scenes. His works have been
designer. Communications Nova Scotia is apurchasing by corporate clients and two of his
government relations industry whose mission is topaintings are displayed in the permanent collection
project the image of Nova Scotia to the world.of the Province of Ontario. In 1999 Gordon won
However, cars have been his passion sincenational first place in the Art of the Automobile
childhood. He spent innumerable hours drawing anycompetition sponsored by the Automotive
object mounted on wheels. He collected toy carsJournalists Association of Canada. Then in 2000 he
and even melted them down to create new ones.won national third and national second in 2002.
Paul still collects toy racecars, racing board games,Chris Phillips is another prize winning Canadian
vintage magazines, and history books aboutautomotive artist. He was actually born in England
racing. His art specializes in the history of racingbut his parents immigrated to Canada when Chris
particularly Grand Prix Sports and GT. While, likewas a teenager and he still lives there. Chris first
most automotive artists, he supplies enough detailworked for an advertising agency but when the
to identify the car and the race, his ultimate aim isagency closed he accepted a job in a service
to depict the feeling of competition that thestation. Later Chris decided to return to school
spectator watching the race experiences. Paul'sand obtain a degree. After graduating with a BA
artwork has its whimsical side as well. He alsoand MA in history, he was employed by a
creates usable art such as greeting cards andcommunity college first as an instructor, and later
T-shirts. Racecar driver Phil Hill is a favoriteas an administrator. After ten years, he decided
subject and Paul has not only pictured Hill in histo launch a full time art career. Chris devotes
winning Ferraris on greeting cards but has honoredhimself exclusively to painting antique, classic,
his racing success with a series of archival prints.sports racing cars, Formula 1 and Indy cars. He
Gordon Drysdale is another Canadian devoted toreceived an Award of Merit at the 1996-97 Art
automotive art. Gordon was born in Sudbury,of the Automobile Competition sponsored by the
Ontario, Canada and his artistic talent and love ofAutomotive Journalists Association of Canada.
automobiles were evident in his early childhood. In