Nicola Wood, one of the world’s most notable automotive artists and a member of the exclusive Automotive Fine Arts Society, has departed from her usual French pre-war classic subjects to create her latest masterpiece, “Ferrari 512 S.” The new painting, a 36” x 48” oil on canvas that features a 1970 Ferrari 512 S, will be unveiled during the 24th annual AFAS exhibit at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® on August 16. The AFAS is comprised of automotive artists from all corners of the globe who create subjects in a variety of mediums including watercolors, acrylics, oils, wood and various metals.

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“I’ve always painted cars that I like and that make me happy, which has led me to focus more on classic French marques like Delahaye and Bugatti,” explained Wood. “But when I laid eyes on this Ferrari racecar at a concours a few years ago, I couldn’t stop smiling. I recently located the photo I took and decided to make it my feature piece for the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours exhibit.”

Wood’s painting features the 1970 Ferrari 512 S (Chassis No. 1006) on display at a West Coast concours in front of a set of glass doors, where attendants can be seen peering at the Italian racer. She uses extreme detail to illustrate the numerous people, blue sky and palm trees reflecting in the doors. Wood pays homage to the Ferrari’s racing history by including a bouquet of red roses in front of the car, along with her signature leopard print wrapped around the flowers.

Chassis No. 1006 was part of Luigi Chinetti’s North American Racing Team and was driven by some of the period’s top performers, such as Sam Posey, Ronnie Bucknum, Pedro Rodriguez and Masten Gregory. It showed tremendous versatility during its racing career, competing in a pair of Sebring races, Le Mans, two CanAm races and the grueling 24 Hours of Daytona, where it finished second in 1971. One of only a few left in existence and in pristine condition, Ferrari 512 S chassis No. 1006 fetched over $3.5 million at an RM Auctions event in 2007.

“I fell in love with this Ferrari before it sold for millions of dollars,” added Wood. “But I knew it was special from the moment I saw it. From its signature, bold ‘Rosso Corsa’ red paint to its wide stance and racing insignia, there was no doubt that this car was a prize possession.”

Wood will also debut a new Bugatti painting at the Concours. It features the Shah of Persia’s elegant 1939 Bugatti Type 57-C on the shore of Garrapata State Park, just seven miles south of Pebble Beach.

Wood has achieved international acclaim for her romantic oil paintings, which often combine famous individuals, places and period automobiles. She has given a one-woman show in New York at SoHo’s Goldstrum Gallery, as well as a major retrospective at the Petersen Automotive Museum in a venture sponsored by Cadillac. Her accolades include the prestigious Peter Helck Award presented by her AFAS peers in Pebble Beach for outstanding work, four Athena Awards of Excellence at the Pebble Beach Concours and the Raymond E. Holland Award for Vision and Creativity in Automotive Art. Wood received commissions to create the official Pebble Beach Concours poster artwork in 1993, 1997 and 2002.

Born in Northern England, Wood studied classical art at the Royal College of Art in London, graduated with first class honors and received a Fulbright Scholarship to Parsons School of Design in New York. Her studio is located in Los Angeles.
For more information about Nicola Wood and her artwork, visit www.nicolawood.com.
About the Automotive Fine Arts Society
AFAS was established in 1983 by a group of artists who are acknowledged by critics to be among the best in their field. Members work in many diverse mediums including oil, watercolors, acrylics, wood, gouache, pen & ink, clay and metal. AFAS participates in select shows across the country including the Pebble Beach Concours d´Elegance and the Amelia Island Concours d´Elegance.

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Stunning Ferrari Racing Tribute for Pebble Beach by notable automotive artist.

Dennis Brown "Early Morning Run"

Automotive Fine Arts Society member, Dennis Brown, will pay a special tribute to Bentley and Bugatti with three paintings during the 24th annual AFAS exhibition, sponsored by Lincoln, at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® on August 16, 2009. The paintings feature a variety of vintage Bugatti and Bentley models that showcase the rich heritage that has made both names so respected by automotive enthusiasts. The AFAS exhibit will be part of the Concours d’Elegance on the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links®. The AFAS is comprised of automotive artists from all corners of the globe who create subjects in a variety of mediums including watercolors, acrylics, oils, wood and various metals.

“Over the past century, Bugatti and Bentley have given the world many tastefully crafted and elegantly designed cars,” noted Brown. “The three pieces I’ll be showing during the Pebble Beach show are tributes to both the manufacturers’ racing heritage, as well as their work in creating luxury automobiles. I’m thrilled that the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance elected to honor these great marques this year because they represent the pinnacle of automotive design.”

This will be the AFAS’s 24th consecutive year to present the work of its members during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Each artist who participates in the AFAS exhibition must show work not previously displayed at Pebble Beach, plus debut at least three new works (one for sculptors). The art presentation is, therefore, always fresh and much anticipated by the enthusiasts.

Dennis Brown "Racing Along"

“Racing Along,” a 14” x 22” acrylic on board, features a 1933 Bugatti Type 51 along with a 6.5-liter Bentley. The Bugatti is set in the foreground with the Bentley racing closely behind. Brown utilizes varying hues of blues, grays and purples to give the entire painting the feel of a cool day just before sunset.

“These two models are among my favorite,” added Brown. “My piece shows the cars racing just before the sun goes down on a very cool day.”

Dennis Brown "Sitting Pretty"

“Sitting Pretty” is a 10.5” x 13.5” acrylic painting that showcases a 1937/Eng 8-cylinder Bugatti Type 57S. The piece shows the rear three-fourths angle of the luxury car as it sits in front of a line of trees. “It was just so beautiful sitting on the green,” added Brown. “What a piece of art!”

“Early Morning Run” depicts a 1928 4.5-liter supercharged Bentley in acrylic on board. The 26” x 27” painting details the front fascia of the Bentley as it races along a road in the early morning.

“The imposing front end with its impressive grill, headlights and that supercharger coming right at you made for a great mood piece,” said Brown. “While the cars of the ‘20s aren’t as aerodynamic as today’s vehicles, the lines, stance and attitude of this Bentley is every bit as exhilarating and aggressive as modern race cars.”

About the Automotive Fine Arts Society
AFAS was established in 1983 by a group of artists who are acknowledged by critics to be among the best in their field. Members work in many diverse mediums including oil, watercolors, acrylics, wood, gouache, pen & ink, clay and metal. AFAS participates in select shows across the country including the Pebble Beach Concours d´Elegance and the Amelia Island Concours d´Elegance. Information about AFAS is available at www.autoartgallery.com or by calling Luke DeRouen at 214.520.3430 ext. 301 or lderouen@tprm-usa.com.

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Dennis Brown to honor featured marques, BENTLEY and BUGATTI, at 2009 PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS

The Automotive Fine Arts Society will celebrate its 24th annual show at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® on August 16, 2009

“The Pebble Beach Concours has become the world’s celebration of the wonderful, rich heritage of the automobile,” said AFAS president, Ken Eberts. “AFAS has been an important part of that celebration for the past 24 years and we’re looking forward to being part of this historic occasion. We’ll have the largest group of members exhibiting there over the past decade and the number of originals to be debuted is amazing. This may be our best exhibit at the Concours to date.”

Lincoln, which has sponsored the Pebble Beach AFAS exhibit since 1996, will do so again this year. Lincoln will also sponsor the group’s annual Saturday afternoon reception on August 15, which has become a popular destination for celebrities and industry leaders.

The 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will feature Bugatti and Bentley. It will also celebrate a century of Morgan and Audi, as well as the designs of Zagato. AFAS artists were again commissioned to create the official poster art for the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the Tour d’Elegance.

This will be the AFAS’ 24th consecutive year to present the work of its members on the lawn of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.  Each member artist who participates in the exhibit must show work not previously displayed at Pebble Beach, plus debut at least three new works (one for sculptors) that have never before been exhibited. The art presentation is, therefore, always fresh and highly anticipated.

“While the world’s greatest cars grace the field at Pebble Beach, the world’s greatest works of automotive fine art debuts each year in the AFAS tent,” added Bill Motta, vice-president of the AFAS. “Our members capture the beauty and passion of the automobile for the pleasure of those who attend the Concours. It’s a wonderful opportunity to share our pieces and draw inspiration from the Concours for future works.”

AFAS members will display and sell original artwork and limited edition prints during the Concours, as well as signed copies of the AFAS book, “AFAS: A Celebration of Automotive Art,” that was debuted at the Pebble Beach Concours in 2005. It records the history, artists and pieces created by AFAS members since the organization’s inception in 1983.

First conducted in 1950, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance (www.pebblebeachconcours.net) has grown to be the world’s premier celebration of the automobile. Only the most beautiful and rare cars are invited to appear on the famed 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links, and connoisseurs of art and style flock to see these masterpieces.

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Automotive Fine Arts Society invited to exhibit again at 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d’elegance