So, through bingo, beer, cheap burgers and a few friends (Dana & James, Sean & Angela), I got to know a couple by the name of Tom and Anni. Coupla sweet kids, lemme tell ya. In any event, some time last year at Drunken Bingo, they hit me up asking if I’d donate my time and skills to do a poster for a benefit they put together to help the Michigan chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. It’s for charity, and for good people, so how could I say no? Besides, how often does one get to illustrate an evil, hot rod wheelchair outta Hell? Well, I guess one could do it as often as one would like… but anyway…
What you see here is something that I feel is actually kind of different than my usual fare. Though it, of course, has my flavor permeating throughout. I spent quite a few hours on this, making this, I think, the second or third most expensive piece of poster art I’ve done. Well, if it was a paying gig, that is. Anyhow, that’s not important, really (’till I do 2011′s taxes that is). I feel I should point out a few small details since you may not be able to see ‘em.
The Hoosier-type rubber says “Dead Tread”, in case you couldn’t read it. Though it’s pretty big, so I can’t imagine not being able to. This is a nod to a guy named Jeff Garstecki whom I knew ever-so-briefly back in my college days. He was an automotive designer who rocked the coolest Fiero ever (tall order since they’re not cool at all). It was totally a home made cyberpunk machine. Killer. I think I have a photo of it buried somewhere. Anyway, back to my point. He did the immaculately detailed automotive renderings (on vellum, before computers were mainstream), and he frequently put “dead tread” as the brand on his tires. That’s pretty much it.
On the side of the wheelchair, like the side of a Spitfire, are how many pedestrians have been bulldozed in this hellacious wheeled machine. Actually using the “do not walk” sign as a base. Five… so far.
There’s also a “Hell on Wheels” sticker. And a lovely “Mr. Horsepower” sticker, too. And of course, you can’t have a devilish hot rod without a hat-tip to the master, Coop. Now that’s a shift knob. Anyhow, I hope you dig it. A lot of time and heart-n-soul went into this piece, despite how simple it looks. And if you find it irreverent, don’t blame me. I was told to make it as bat-shit crazy as I wanted. (I wanted to put a plow on the front with the word ‘killdozer’ on it – but then it wouldn’t read as a wheel chair.)
As always, clicken-to-embiggen.
Nix
Share on Facebook
