The Art Cars Are Coming! The Art Cars Are Coming!

        Mishell Karma Ghia (artist: Kathy Kathaman)

Yippee! Art Car Weekend is almost here! It's one of the few many things that makes Houston a tolerable place to live. (sort of an antidote to the crippling traffic, endless strip centers and paralyzing heat). 

BC (before children), I found my social niche in the activities of the Orange Show Foundation. I was recently divorced and had just" run home to Momma" after an 11 year stint in the bourbon soaked frat-rat society that was (not you Charlsie!) Lynchburg, Virginia. I started to volunteer with the Orange Show and found my spiritual home with the skaters and artists that celebrate folk art of all kinds. Eventually (since I am more of an organizer than an artist), I chaired two Art Car Balls - serious fun in a downtown parking garage!  (I wish I had a picture of my red rubber dress.)

Anyway - now that I am a middle-aged fart with kids mom, my Art Car experience is simply a bike ride down to the Parade, which takes place in downtown Houston every May. Last year, there were close to 300 (!)  entries - so it's the Biggest Art Car Celebration Anywhere! (everything is bigger in Texas!) 

Here are some of my favorites:

The FruitMobile! One of Houston's first Art Cars. (artist: Jackie Harris)

The Stink Bug - classic VW bug covered in cigarette butts - beautiful! (artist: Carolyn Stapleton)

FinnJett- Wow - now that's a LOT of welding. (artist: Antti Rahko)

DeKuntry Pedlur - OK Then!  Do you think they are huge fans of the Clampetts?  (artists: Rich and Pam Molden)

I love the Yarn Car! (artist: Tim Klein) 

And how can you resist the Peeps Car? (artist: unknown to me..)

The Star Car! (artist: unknown to me)

And the FABULOUS!! Fandango - The Little Ol Car From Texas (artist: Rebecca Bass and Waltrip Highschool Students) Check out the ZZ Top beards....

Anyone want to join us this Saturday at 1:00?