July/Aug 2019 edition Issue #6 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine Michael Furman - Cover Photographer Written by Peter Bourassa Creating Speed! Tony Sikorski
An auspicious beginning at Ivy art school in Pittsburg, PA, followed by several jobs with prestigious art studios, led Tony to start his own graphic business in 1976, which by 1982 became a full-fledged studio with 9 employees. In 1992, he retired and closed up shop. At that time, he decided to rekindle his love of work with automotive art. Tony has always loved cars, and he knows about them. His sweet spot is the pre 1950s period, particularly the American and European Art Deco cars of the 1930s. When he finally retired from the business world, he went back to making his sculptures, and taking them to local shows. To his surprise, they sold quite well and that prompted him to expand his horizons and his offerings. Today as an AFAS member his work is displayed at Pebble Beach, Amelia Island, Hershey, and Cavallino. All prestigious motorsports venues. His first works were done with corrugated cardboard and his finished pieces often looked like highly polished plastic. He has since moved on to wood and stainless steel. Tony says, “I like to make automotive art, that people just ‘gotta have’ when they see it. It immediately speaks to them, and they can’t walk away! Some of Tony’s sculptures sell for as much as $3,500 and others, which he does for the kids that come to the shows he attends go for as little as $25. All of his work is “one-off” originals. His latest creations use actual license plates within the sculpture, like the one featured on this issue’s cover. He hunts down old license plates with patina and rust for character. If you have old license plates to donate – he’d love to have them. If you want a customized license plate sculpture with your favorite plates or a particular name, color, phrase, etc., he can do that too, in either racing or touring version. Prices for customized pieces range from $1,500 to $3,500 No matter the cost, all of Tony Sikorski’s work has the weight of quality, and is highly prized by collectors of automobilia. Reach Tony at tonysikorski77@aol.com, 724-884-3782 in Pennsylvania, or go visit AutoArtGallery.com, to view more of his artwork, looking under AFAS Members. Peter Bourassa To read more great columns like this one from Peter Bourassa and Michael Furman...
|
Pictured is a 1940 Packard Darrin with the beautiful Lalique Eagle mascot. This Darrin was the featured car at the 2018 Elegance at Hershey, it was displayed prominently on the cover of their event program. It is also a part of Ralph Morano’s renowned American car collection, and he was the honored guest during the event. The Lalique Eagle mascot was quite popular for its commanding design and sturdy build. It was unlike other, more artistically graceful mascots, which suffered the unfortunate malody of being easy to snap off. Found often on stately cars of the time period such as Mercedes-Benz, the majestic Darrin however certainly did it justice! MF |
To read more great columns like this one from Michael Furman...
Subscribe to AutoMobilia Resource
Mar/Apr 2019 edition
Issue #4 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
Michael Furman - Cover Photographer
Issue #4 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
Michael Furman - Cover Photographer
I went to Bonham’s auction at the Simeone Museum in October 2018 and bid on several different lots of automobilia. My only successful bid was on a lot of 8-10 books which held my interest. I felt very fortuitous to win this particular lot. I thought I had the Schlumpf Obsession already, but I didn’t and was most glad to get it. I also recommend you read Peter Bourassa’s column in this issue of AutoMobilia Resource for good insight into this favorite on pages 14-15. The Packard book was one I had been looking for. All were good treasures to increase my library and my knowledge of classic cars. Finding quick and easy answers on the internet can oftentimes be misleading and rarely explains the details needed for the project at hand. Books on the other hand.... |
I love books and find having paper bonded together to intelligently educate on any manner of subjects completely empowering to the reader. Most, if not every car guy has a library, which doubles as their office and a quiet place to do research on his or her latest project. There is nothing like a book. Solid and earthy smelling. Something of value you can hold in your hand and absorb, just like this magazine in your hands right now.
Michael Furman
Michael Furman
To read more great columns like this one from Michael Furman...
Subscribe to AutoMobilia Resource
Jan/Feb 2019 edition
Issue #3 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
Michael Furman - Cover Photographer
Issue #3 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
Michael Furman - Cover Photographer
The thought of this damp, musty space causes memories to flood back – the smell of overflowed gas streaking down the sides of the gas pump, the slick spots on the floor – now is that coolant, oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid or black cherry soda – all reminding me of the wretched Econoline Van with the 3-on-the-tree, on which I learned to drive a manual shift.
There’s a can of Simoniz in some state of disrepair, but I’m sure it was never used on the Econoline. There were a number of 1-quart oil cans, most with their tops cut off – some filled with nuts and bolts, another filled with nails, and a few of them with the tops punctured, and some undetermined amount of undefined liquid in them.
Karen’s work is a poke in the eye. She glorifies the design of the original artist by magnifying it (in some instances by quite a lot) and forcing us to appreciate what was created on a can that sat on a shelf beside countless other cans, all of which silently screamed “look at ME!” The fact that each piece is instantly recognized is a measure of their success. Much of Karen’s work is made to order, if you have something unique and personal, send her a picture, maybe she can help you relive your youth. Prices vary. Many are in the $1,600 range, but most importantly, every piece is wonderful.
Karen Shapiro’s outsized ceramic versions are reminders of the detritus that still litters the aging walls and dirt floors of our memories. Her versions never really rust or leak, but they are reminders of the ones that did. All they require is a gentle dusting from time to time to remind us of old cars and old friends, when everything was simpler.
Thank-you, Karen.
Please visit WinfieldGallery.com to see more of Karen’s work.
Michael Furman
Karen Shapiro’s outsized ceramic versions are reminders of the detritus that still litters the aging walls and dirt floors of our memories. Her versions never really rust or leak, but they are reminders of the ones that did. All they require is a gentle dusting from time to time to remind us of old cars and old friends, when everything was simpler.
Thank-you, Karen.
Please visit WinfieldGallery.com to see more of Karen’s work.
Michael Furman
To read more great columns like this one from Michael Furman...
Subscribe to AutoMobilia Resource
Nov/Dec 2018 edition
Issue #2 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
Michael Furman - Cover Photographer
Issue #2 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
Michael Furman - Cover Photographer
To read more great columns like this one from Michael Furman...
Subscribe to AutoMobilia Resource
Sept/Oct 2018 edition
Issue #1 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
Michael Furman - Cover Photographer
Issue #1 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
Michael Furman - Cover Photographer
To read more great columns like this one from Michael Furman...
Subscribe to AutoMobilia Resource
About the Cover
World-renowned automotive photographer and owner of Coachbuilt Press Publishing - specializing in quality European classic car books.
Michael@michaelfurman.com
CoachbuiltPress.com
Archives
July 2019
May 2019
March 2019
January 2019
November 2018
September 2018