Wild Wheels (Pomegranate Artbooks)

As a teenager, Blank didn't want to be mistaken for a person as bland as his 1965 VW bug, so he started painting on it, attaching things to it, and attracting a heap of attention in a town where he became known for the car with the unforgettable name, “Oh My God!” Over time, people passing through town let him know that there were others like him around the country who had discovered the same irresistible canvas for self-expression. As a young filmmaker, Blank knew he had to go out there and document these kindred spirits.

Before long, he embarked upon a journey around the country to interview and photograph Art Car artists in the making of his feature documentary (also available from Amazon.com) and companion book, both entitled “Wild Wheels.” He found them in the most unexpected corners of the U.S., these folk artists who had no concern for traditional art venues, who wanted their art, their message, their self-expressive shrines out there on the streets.

In “Wild Wheels” we get a vivid glimpse of a range of these artists whose motivations, methods, and works of art are surprisingly varied, who may have only one thing in common: they're all in this book!

Featuring over 100 color photos and fascinating anecdotal peeks into the lives of the artists who made the cars, Wild Wheels continues to introduce the world to the pioneers of the now popular car art movement.

The characters and cars in Wild Wheels are so genuine and so funky and so genuinely funky as captured by Blank that they'll have you wondering "Is it real? Did somebody make all this up? Am I really bolting antlers to my hood?" For answers to these and other wild questions, buy this book!! I loved it, and everyone I show it to wants a copy.