Hot Rides!

   “I have always loved sports cars- two-seater roadsters. Usually British. My first car in high school was a 1960 MGA, followed a few years later by an MGB, then a Fiat 124 Spyder after my first book was published. I later owned a 1966 Jaguar XKE for many years, but never really had the money to restore it properly, so we sadly parted ways. What an incredible car; not happy unless she was going over 100 mph! I still believe the XKE to be one of the most beautiful cars ever made. When the safety standards for cars made it seem there would be no more open roadsters, I purchased a new 1979 Triumph Spitfire, let’s just say kindly that it was a product of antiquated engineering and not very reliable.”

   “After being divorced in 1995, I purchased a new Mazda Miata. Many friends had known me only in the little silver Honda station wagon that I drove for 13 years, and assumed my mid-life crisis was the cause of the Miata, not realizing like my older friends that the Honda was the aberration and the Miata was where I belonged and was enjoying myself immensely. In South Texas, where I currently live, a full moonlight cruise to the beach with the top down is possible any month of the year and many a long day in the studio is relieved by a top down evening cruise.  Among the sweetest of my Distractions, this little car is a true joy to drive.”

Building Models

   “Friends have chided me over the years for “wasting time” building models. They feel somehow that I should spend ALL my time painting! Well, I can’t do that. Don’t want to do that. After 10 or 12 hours with a brush, I’m entitled to an hour or so gluing balsa sticks together. It kind of keeps the momentum of my work going, the creativity and the handwork are similar but less stress involved.”

    I was interested in building all kinds of models as a child, and that love is retained these many years later. Even more than finishing up a good painting, the thrill and joy of watching a model airplane that you have designed and built, fly with a spirit and will of its own is one of my greatest pleasures in life.

   Model radio controlled boats are a new venture, a good sized model of Battleship Texas and a Chris-Craft pleasure boat are nearing completion.”