Historic Car Art at Race Retro

Last weekend, Historic Car Art gallery was set at the 7th annual Race Retro in Stoneleigh (UK), featuring fine automotive art, limited edition and vintage racing posters.


I was honoured to be one of those who's original art and prints were presented; it's my first major show, and it was wonderful place to start.


I want to thank Rupert Whyte for supporting my racing history art. As you can see, the set-up was stunning!

Fangio goes to Spain ...

I recently have had growing orders for my art and my limited editions from the world over.

Just before Christmas, an order came in from an Englishman Tony, living in Spain. He ordered my Fangio – Maserati 250F limited edition for his best friend Peter’s birthday. Peter is a Fangio fan, and use to own and race a 250F.

Once the order came in and I packaged up the print, I decided to add a little sketch on the packaging that I referenced from an image of Peter racing that I found on the web. I then shipped it off to Spain.

I was thrilled to get this note from Tony:

Hi Paul,

As you can see, Peter is well. He thought the framed picture was superb and was extremely chuffed with the extra drawing you sent, his wife was speechless (for a change)

Once again, many thanks, you made his birthday one to remember.

Kind regards,

Tony

SCALEXTRIC Tinplate Maserati 250F

My wife Lise and our younger son Olivier just got back from a weekend trip to Toronto to take in the Real Madrid/Toronto FC game on August 7th. Though it was a lop-sided win (5-1), it was still a very entertaining game!

While their stay was quite short, they had the pleasure of brunching with my friend Peter and his wife Huguette. Unknown to me, Peter had picked up a little something for me.


He found out that SCALEXTRIC had just release a 1/32 limited edition tinplate Maserati 250F; my favorite Grand Prix race car, driven by my favorite driver Juan Manuel Fangio, in his most famous race, German GP, Nurburgring 1957.


Peter knew very well how to pick them! It is a stunning slot racer, with all the right detail. It’s displayed in a very nice presentation box, and includes it’s own numbered card for each of the 5050 produced. SCALEXTRIC also offers a tinplate Ferrari 375 limited edition.

Needless to say, this gem will hold a special place in my collection …

Mike Hawthorn 1929-1959

I now have my Mike Hawthorn sketch available as a limited edition of 50 Giclee prints.


Pen & ink with watercolour and Prismacolor pencils on white archival Strathmore stock
© Paul Chenard 2009

It is currently featured in the Automobilia section of Classic & Sports Car magazine. This has lead to the first order of the print from a gentleman in Boston; he ordered it for his very best friend's birthday in England, who is a Hawthorn fan.

Once I packaged it up for shipping, I decided to decorate the back of the packaging with an original marker rendering of Hawthorn racing a Ferrari in the 1958 Grand Prix de Monaco.


Markers on corrugated cardboard © Paul Chenard 2009

Birthdays should always have happy surprises!