CARMEL, Calif. – July 19, 2017 – Charles Maher, an award-winning painter and 21 year member of the Automotive Fine Arts Society (AFAS) will debut two new original paintings celebrating the legendary Juan Fangio and “Bentley Boys” at the group’s exhibit during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Aug. 20, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., in Carmel, California. This is the 22nd year that Lincoln Motor Company will sponsor the AFAS exhibit on the Pebble Beach show field. Maher is renowned for pushing the boundaries of creativity and exploring new subjects.
“Since racing was such an important part of the Monterey Bay culture during the 20th century, I’m honoring three of the most celebrated men in competition history,” said Maher. “Sir Henry Stanley Birkin and Woolf Barnato, members of that first generation of ‘Bentley Boys’ who shaped the very foundation of the marque. I’ve also honored the spirit of Juan Fangio, an Argentinean driver who captured the Formula One World Championship five times during his career, which remained a record for over 47 years. He was also one of the most accomplished sports car drivers in history.”
The acrylic on canvas piece is comprised of four major elements and 13 smaller ones, the “Bentley Boys” pays homage to the pair of early adventurers, Sir Henry Stanley “Time” Birkin and Woolf Barnato. Titled “Composition in Green and Gold”, Maher’s 45-inch by 120-inch painting features the two early sportsmen dressed handsomely next to a 1928 Blower Bentley 4.5L. The British Racing G racecar is prominently placed in the foreground and juxtaposed by an explosion of complementary yellows and oranges.
“In and of itself ‘Composition in Green and Gold’ is artistic, but the multiple segments add another element of creativity,” said Maher. “The smaller segments are strategically placed to the left and right of the main image. The eye naturally fills in the negative spaces to create one continuous piece.”
Maher’s second featured painting for this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance features the World Champion Argentinean Formula One driver, Juan Fangio, behind the wheel of a hot rod red Maserati 250F.
“I intentionally focused on the bright, eye-catching colors of Fangio’s Maserati,” said Maher. “The flow of the brush strokes, along with the splattering of yellow and white paint behind the racecar, create a surreal feeling of Fangio crossing the finish line during one of his championship races.”
Maher grew up in Miami, Florida. Destined to work with cars, he began his automotive journey at the wheel of his family’s 1955 Chevy Bel-Air. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from the University of Notre Dame in 1968.
After working as a designer for Ford Motor Company, Maher spent 14 years with a graphics firm in Detroit designing production car graphics for Ford, GM, Honda and Toyota. He also completed projects such as pace car graphics for Indianapolis and the Long Beach Grand Prix.
Maher’s work has been displayed at Concours d’Elegance events at Amelia Island, Ault Park, Greenwich, Meadow Brook, The Inn at St. Johns, Pebble Beach and the Eyes-on-Design Exhibition in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. His artwork has appeared in AutoWeek, Automobile, Car Collector, Mustang Monthly, Racer, Road & Track, Automobile Quarterly, and Sports Car Market magazines.
For more information about Charles Maher’s art, visit his website.
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 and its members participate in select shows across the country including the Pebble Beach Concours d´Elegance, Dana Point Concours d’Elegance and the Amelia Island Concours d´Elegance. Information about AFAS is available at www.autoartgallery.com.
About the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®
First conducted in 1950, 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 gather to admire these masterpieces. Charitable donations raised by Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® now total over $17 million. Related events include Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance™ presented by Rolex, Pebble Beach RetroAuto™, and Pebble Beach® Auctions presented by Gooding & Company. Pebble Beach®, Pebble Beach Golf Links®, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance™, Pebble Beach RetroAuto™ and Pebble Beach® Automotive Week are trademarks, service marks and trade dress of Pebble Beach Company. All rights reserved.
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