Jane Strauss

I photograph classic cars because they are art, they are distinctive, they don't look like interchangeable jellybeans. This year, 2012, has been the Year of the Cars. I was included in Velocity 2, in Hopkins, MN, and in Car pArts, at the Paradise Center for the Arts in Faribault, MN (on display through September 25, 2012). In July, my 1949 Chevy mascot, at many times its actual size (1 x 3 feet) was on display at the South Arkansas Art Center in El Dorado, AR. From August 20 through the end of September, a selection of automotive images will be seen at the Wine Market, north of highway 11...

I photograph classic cars because they are art, they are distinctive, they don't look like interchangeable jellybeans. This year, 2012, has been the Year of the Cars. I was included in Velocity 2, in Hopkins, MN, and in Car pArts, at the Paradise Center for the Arts in Faribault, MN (on display through September 25, 2012). In July, my 1949 Chevy mascot, at many times its actual size (1 x 3 feet) was on display at the South Arkansas Art Center in El Dorado, AR. From August 20 through the end of September, a selection of automotive images will be seen at the Wine Market, north of highway 110, in Mendota Heights, MN. Starting on September 28th, a selection of Classic Car images will be in the Administration Building Lobby at Northern Tier Energy in St. Paul Park, MN. It's a secure building but if you are by there the Receptionist would likely let you in to see the photos. (from Sept 4-28, Israel images are there.)

Mascots, especially in the years before WW 2 , were sculptural, they told a story, they reflected the history or mythos of the Marque, be it Rolls Royce, Pontiac, or Plymouth. However, while they are in themselves art, they are functional art, created to be part of an automobile - some even lit up along with the headlights, some included temperature measuring devices (Motometers), and it pains me to see entire collections of mascots, devoid of their original vehicle.

Other parts of the classic car, such as swooping fenders, goggle-eyed headlights, and amazing fins, are also fodder for my lens. Take a look, you might just find some that tickle your fancy or epitomize your favorite marque.