POST CONTRIBUTORS: All | A.D. Cook | Bob Barnes | Frank Mallinder
Last week was a bust for car shows across the Phoenix/Mesa Valley. We had massive rainstorms and flooding, so needless to say, there were no car shows. So, this week I checked out Lenny’s Burger Car Show on Saturday, October 18, which is typically hosted on the second Saturday from 8 AM to 11 AM.
It was a great day for a car show, and the Gilbert Cars & Coffee 2025-2026 Season Opener hosted at the Cold Beers & Cheesburgers did not disappoint. The last time I visited CBCB was last January, and I remember it as a fantastic show, worthy of a revisit. So, in celebration of car show season, I couldn’t resist a morning of cool cars and chrome.
One of my favorite pastimes during downtime is attending car shows and taking photos to inspire my art. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of seeing rare models up close and engaging with fellow enthusiasts who share the same passion. Now that the local temperatures are dropping to a comfortable level (at least compared to July through September), there is no shortage of great car shows in the Phoenix/Mesa Valley, and I’m looking forward to attending as many as I can.
This month spotlights Pub 365, Big Dog’s Brewing Company Dogtoberfest, BJ’s Brewhouse, Brews Best Beer Garden, Beer Zombies Flannels & Beer, the Downtown Brew Festival, the CraftHaus Brewery Chili Cook-Off, Rock N Grapes Wine Pub, and much more.
Recently, I had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to attend an exciting trip to Indianapolis in support of the talented Wings & Wheels Foundation driver Aaron Jeansonne, who was competing in the prestigious Porsche Carrera Cup at the legendary and iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This event not only showcased the incredible skills and determination of the drivers, but it also allowed me to immerse myself in the thrilling atmosphere of motorsport, surrounded by passionate fans and the roaring engines of high-performance racing cars.
If you have not yet visited the National Corvette Museum, it’s time! My diptych painting, MOMENTUM, featuring a 1953 and a 2023 Corvette, is still on display through the end of 2025. I created this epic creation in celebration of Corvette’s seventieth anniversary as part of the LUSTER: Realism and Hyperrealism in Contemporary Automotive and Motorcycle Paintings Exhibit, which ran from March 15, 2024, through January 5, 2025.
This month spotlights the Crab Corner Brews & Blues Food & Beer Festival, CraftHaus Brewery HausFest 11, Pub 365, Beer Zombies Flannels & Beer, Bad Beat at the Arts District, Neon Desert, Nevada Brew Works, The Spot, and much more.
The National Corvette Museum’s 31st Anniversary Celebration kicks off TODAY! From August 28–30, join the National Corvette Museum as they honor 31 years of preserving, sharing, and celebrating the legacy of America’s Sports Car. While online registration is closed, you can still join the celebration with on-site registration available in the Wendell Strode Club Room throughout the event.
My story began a long time ago, and it is a journey that has shaped who I am today. From the earliest days of my childhood, I have always drawn, sketched, and doodled, expressing my thoughts and feelings on paper, whatever the medium may be. If there were a pencil and paper nearby, I would inevitably be found happily immersed in my art, creating characters and scenes from my imagination without any hesitation. Art became my sanctuary, allowing me to explore the depths of my creativity and communicate in ways beyond words.
As the saying goes, all beautiful things come to an end. After seven-and-a-half years and twenty major museums, the LUSTER: Realism and Hyperrealism in Contemporary Automobile and Motorcycle Paintings exhibition has come to an end.
In celebration of American Artist Appreciation Month, I am sharing the art and backstory of fellow LUSTER artist, Marc Jones. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Marc casually since March 2018, when we both appeared at the Museum of Arts and Sciences at Daytona Beach for the premiere of the LUSTER: Realism and Hyperrealism in Contemporary Automobile and Motorcycle Paintings Exhibition.
American Artist Appreciation Month is celebrated in August to honor American artists and their contributions to the art world. This month serves as a platform to raise awareness about the importance of art in reflecting societal values and historical contexts.
