1. Be born with the wacko gene.
2. See Wild Wheels for inspiration.
3. Buy a Dodge Dart (optional, but Darts and VWs seem to have some sort of deep art car-ma.)
4. On a budget? Bill Brakhage advises: “Buy cheap paints – house paints, at Builder’s Square and Home Depot. All the stuff we got started on was cheap house paints.”
3. Have a little more time and money? Brakhage recommends “serious heat-resistant adhesive” for sticking stuff on your car, or else engine heat and Texas-in-July heat will guarantee that your car art will turn decidedly Dali.
4. Got something specific in mind for a theme? “This is my patented tip, I don’t give it away to everyone,” confides Rainey. “The best way to collect a lot of something is to stick one or two on your car and people will come out of the woodwork to give you stuff. All of these trophies were given to me by people.”
5. Get support. “There’s a change donation slot in the back of my car,” says Rainey, “with a sign that says: `Support Non-Corporate Public Art.’ Someone once put an anonymous note wrapped around a one hundred dollar bill.”
6. Get thee to the Art Car Parade in Houston. Though he insists it’s not about competition, Rainey points out that we gain inspiration from each other. “Go to your first parade in Houston and you’re shamed into coming home and doing as much work on your car as possible.” – S.G.
This article appears in April 10 • 1998 and April 10 • 1998 (Cover).