The Greenwich Concours d’Élégance is a premier event in North America that I’ve had the honour of attending previously in 2014 and 2015. Interestingly, a client from New Jersey ordered 2 prints this past Christmas from me because she remembered me live-sketching at the 2015 edition.
This stirred me into considering a trip to the 2018 Concours when out of the blue, I received a text from my good friend Michael Ricciardi inviting me to join him there.
Michael owns European Motorsports in Lawrence MA, and he had two cars at the Bonhams auction being held at the Concours. One was a stunning, low mileage 1986 Lamborghini Countach and the other was an equally stunning low mileage 1986 Ferrari Testarossa “Flying Mirror”.
Michael Ricciardi with the Countach and the Testarossa.
While Michael was prepping the cars for auction, I decided to do custom license-plate art for each. I think that it really added some spice to both cars.
Our sometimes dinnertime wheels was a stunningly beautiful front-engine, 12-cylinder Lamborghini Espada … even I felt cool in that car!
Lamborghini Espada ... so so cool!!
Once we arrived in Greenwich, we were invited to a Friday evening cocktail party held at the Malcolm Pray Achievement Centre, the event being hosted by his daughter Melanie Pray. It was so good to meet Melanie, an incredibly dynamic person! My art was also on display there, which was a real treat, but the biggest treat for me was seeing my dear friend Deb Stearn Pollack, who had come in from Los Angeles to see a close friend and take in the weekend’s event.
Deb and I beside my art on display.
Deb is an automotive PR guru who also puts together the “Drive Toward a Cure” Tours, a major fundraising event for Parkinson’s Research, which I have supported through donations of original art.
I gave Deb one of my VIDA Design scarves.
My appearance at the Greenwich Concours d’Élégance was kindly supported by the event organizer Mary Wennerstrom, Event Chairman, and her team. They were amazing!
This year’s Concours celebrated the cars of Briggs Cunningham and of John Fitch, and was attended by David Hobbs, signing his new autobiography “Hobbo”, and Wayne Carini, host of TV’s Chasing Classic Cars.
Me live-sketching the Cunningham C4RC - Dom Miliano photo
I managed to get one sketch done per day. On Saturday I did a live-sketch of the beautiful Cunningham C4RC #5222, owned by the wonderful Larry and Jan Pfitzenmaier, and on Sunday I live-sketched Peter Sach’s 1957 Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti Spyder, which also happened to win Best of Show Sport.
Me live-sketching the Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti Spyder - Robert Brodowski photo
Over the two days, I met countless great people and made new friends. I was thrilled to be visited by my dear friend Chris Osborne and her lovely friend Melanie. Chris is a premiere automotive artist, and it was just so great to see her again.
Needless to say, I had an amazing time in Greenwich!
Once back in MA, I hung around a few days more with Michael, live-sketching one of his cars, and changing the entrance wall at European Motorsports by putting up my art. It was nice to see my art displayed in a proper way in a proper place; hopefully there will be a better chance of selling it there!
My art at the entrance of European Motorsports
I’m itching to get back to see my New England friends!
I’ve known of Denise McCluggage for years, admiring her ability to do many things very well … racing cars, writing, skiing, editing, publishing, giving presentations, but most of all, being a role model.
When I wrote my first book, I emailed her a PDF of it before publishing it, and her support and encouragement convinced me to go ahead.
A couple of years ago, when I knew it was her birthday, I celebrated it by buying two of her limited edition photos … and she added a 3rd one to thank me!!!
When my friend Peter Bourassa of Motorsport Marketing Resources invited Denise to give her “The Centered Driver” presentation in Lawrence, MA in January 2014, I knew I had to go meet her in person.
As a backdrop to her presentation, I offered to paint a large, 2-panel mural on the second floor of European Motorsports, the venue for her presentation; Peter and European Motorsports owner Michael Ricciardi enthusiastically accepted.
I had just finished the mural on the day of the presentation when Denise showed up. Wow, I couldn’t believe that I was in the same room with her, and she couldn’t believe that I painted a mural for her presentation!
That evening, her sold-out presentation was a hit; she was very dynamic, and had everyone’s ear, listening to her every word of wisdom.
Peter, me, Denise and Michael Later on, we did get to chat a bit, share a couple of meals, and I showed her one of my most precious collectibles, my 1959 Fuller Brush catalog, which she wrote.
She was surprised to see a copy because they are hard to come by, and she told me the story behind it. Then she kindly autographed it for me!!!
I was very privileged to meet her – she was such a dynamo, bubbling with ideas, that I can’t help thinking that she’s still going strong … somewhere out there …
For the first time, I’ve had to honour of attending the Grenwich Concours d’Élégance and Bonhams auction. My friend Michael Ricciardi, owner of European Motorsports of Lawrence, MA had 5 cars on consignment at the auction and asked me if I was interested in going down. Olivier and Michael supervising the loading of his consigned beauties
My youngest son Olivier joined me, hoping to see some nice rare cars at the prestigious event.
We not at all disappointed at all because at this event, the show cars are by invitation only, assuring a high level of stunning rare vehicles on display. At the Bonhams auction, a new record was set for a Lamborghini, $1.2 million for a lovely blue 1975 LP400 Countach "Periscopica".
The concentration of wealth in Greenwich, CT also guarantees seeing a lifetime’s worth of Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Aston Martins, Bentleys, Maseratis and Roll Royces around town … my 2007 Urban Gray Chevrolet Aveo Sedan was rarer! Christopher Carveth found me to say Hello. Sketch that I did on Saturday ... ... and sketch that I did on Sunday.
It was a gorgeous sunny weekend, and we met lots of wonderful people. I managed to get an on-the-spot sketch done each day, while also being interviewed by local media, TV and print.
With Greenwich being just north of New York City, Olivier and I zipped in the have lunch at the famous Tom’s diner from Seinfeld, and be shown around Madison Avenue by our new friend Kosta. Olivier then treated me to my first ballgame, where the Yankees bowed to the Mariners 2-10. Olivier and I in front of Times Square Kosta showing us Madison Avenue The Mariners beat the Yankees 10-2
We reconnected with old friends and made many new friends there … worth the 3000 kms of driving. Not hitting the moose in Maine was a welcome bonus!
While on my séjour in Lawrence Massachusetts in January for Denise McCluggage’s workshop, I met Dennis Eklof, the Jaguar Club of North America’s Northeast Regional Director. He mentioned that they were hosting this year’s AGM in Boston on April 4 th, 5 th, and 6th.
Weeks later, Dennis contacted me to get the event poster illustrated and designed. They also invited me to stay for the weekend at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge, the event venue.
I invited my youngest son Olivier to come along for a little break from his busy work schedule.
It was a well-organized event where I met regional representatives from all over North America. There were also lovely significant Jaguars on display in the banquet hall, pure eye-candy! I was given a space to show off my art, and was available to autograph the well-printed posters.
On Friday evening, Olivier treated me to a Celtics game, followed by a comedy-improv show by the amazing Wayne Brady at the Wilbur Theatre. The Celtics lost, but Wayne Brady was nothing short of amazing; we were in stitches for the whole show!
While I manned my booth on Saturday, Olivier went shopping, and in the evening, I joined Motorsports Marketing Resources Director Peter Bourassa at the AGM banquet; Olivier was treated by our lovely friend Dianne Isaacson to his very first ball game at the historic Fenway Park, with the Red Socks playing the Brewers.
On Sunday, on our way back home, we stopped in Lawrence to see my friend Michael Ricciardi at European Motorsports. Michael kindly let Olivier sit in his lovely Lamborghini Contach, then treated us and one of his mechanics Tiny to brunch at Charlie’s Diner, just down the street from his shop.
I can say that though it is a long drive to get there and back, I will never give up an opportunity to see my friends in New England. Go Socks, go!!!
On January 28th, renowned automotive racer, journalist, writer, editor and photographer Denise McCluggage presented her workshop The Centered Driver, based on her best-selling book The Centered Skier.
Peter Bourassa introducing Denise McCluggage
Denise McCluggage giving her workshop
The workshop, organized by Peter Bourassa, took place at European Motorsports in Lawrence, Massachusetts, hosted by owner Michael Ricciardi. The Centered Driver It was a not-to-be-missed opportunity to get serious driving insights from someone who knows!
In the days before the event, I created a large 2-part mural that was the backdrop to Denise's presentation. Peter, me, Denise and Michael It was a huge honour to be part of it, and I've made many new wonderful friends.
I have a passion for the history of Grand Prix and Sports/GT racing. I am now creating and selling my motorsports art related to this history. Please tell me what you think of my work.
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