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Charles Maher - Creating a Maserati
Masterpiece
By Scott Black
Genius is when someone is
so adept at their craft that they make it look
effortless. That certainly holds true for members of
the Automotive Fine Arts Society (www.autoartgallery.com)
like Charles Maher. Though his masterpieces seem to be
the result of pure inspiration and talent, an enormous
amount of energy is poured into every work.
Michigan-based Maher gave
Amelia Now
a glimpse of the process behind his work. A trained
auto designer, he has been an independent artist since
1988. Maher's work has been exhibited at premier
Concours nationwide. The popular Maher has also been
commissioned to create poster art for many high profile
events.
Maher will debut his
newest piece at the 15th
Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance next March on the
grounds of the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island. It stars Sir
Stirling Moss in a Maserati Tipo 61 "Birdcage" racecar
at the 1960 Cuban Grand Prix. Both driver and mount are
expected to be at the Concours.
"As a Stirling Moss fan,
I've been contemplating this piece for quite some time,"
said Maher." When I learned he would be reunited with
this wonderful Maserati at the Amelia Island Concours, I
knew it was time to commemorate the man and machine that
dominated the Cuban Grand Prix 50 years ago. It's a
wonderful opportunity to celebrate his achievements
through art."
In 1960, Moss drove the
Tipo 61 Maserati to victory; he led all 50 laps and set
the fastest lap of the 250.4 kilometer Cuban Grand
Prix.
"Researching a project
like this is critical," added Maher." With Moss
planning to be at the Concours, I knew that I had to
nail the details. Sometimes I spend as much time
learning about my subject as I do creating the
painting."
Armed with original
period photos, magazine articles and written accounts,
Maher set about to sketch the piece. Entitled "The
Dominance of Sir Stirling," he worked the angles several
times to get the most flattering, and yet realistic
perspective of the Italian racecar and pilot.
According to Maher, "Once
I determine the layout, I begin composing the elements
of the painting through the use of a color study. This
means that I create a miniature version of the final
piece. This 'trial run' gives me the opportunity to
refine the painting."
The next step is to take
the final color study and scale it up to the appropriate
size. After choosing the dimensions, Maher stretches
and prepares the canvas. He then begins to develop
working drawings of the background, as well as the car
and driver.
"I first lay down the
background color and start to shape the background,"
explained Maher. "That must be perfected before I begin
to put in some of the shape of the car. And just like
the Italian artisans who beat aluminum over a buck in
the 1950s, I begin building the car with a rendering of
the basic sheet metal. Piece by piece, I continue to
detail the car and driver until I am satisfied. It's a
process that takes many hours and many, many
adjustments.”
Maher typically works on
more than one piece at a time, which allows him to
finish his work in stages and make critical changes with
fresh eyes. Once the painting is complete, a final coat
is applied to protect the piece, then it is framed.
Maher, a hobbyist carpenter who has built guitars,
sometimes creates the frames, too.
"Each painting is a
personal challenge to connect with the audience," notes
Maher. "I love to bend light and color to stir emotion
in the public. I hope that those attending the Amelia
Island Concours find the piece as compelling to view as
it was to create."
This piece will join a
select group of works by AFAS members exhibited during
the Concours. AFAS has been part of the event since its
inception, and continues to be a fan favorite during the
classic car weekend.
For more information on
the 2010 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance visit their
website at
www.ameliaconcours.org.
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