This is a one thing led to another kind of tale if there ever was one. A good friend, Mike Breedlove, sent a gift of music once. It was the CD "A Southern Rock Opera" by the Drive By Truckers. I was taken with the music as much as I was with the artwork on the cover and liner notes. I discovered a gentleman by the name of Wes Freed did the artwork for this CD and many others. In fact he's a prolific folk artist.
Soon I had acquired most of the Truckers work and in the process bought an original watercolor by Wes titled "Almost Sundown". I was also working on this '48 rat truck project and the focus was to collect the artwork of other people.
The dash was in terrible shape so I replaced the gauges to the round ones more commonly seen in hotrods. Changing the gauges meant welding and smoothing the original guage holes. The dash became a blank canvas that begged for the creative touch from an artist such as Wes. I contacted Jyl to see if he would be interested in the project. Within minutes he responded with a phone call and a resounding "yes" that began a journey to new friendships.
To keep the dash from having a modern look, I experimented with several texturing processes and found one that looked like old barn siding. Wes has been painting on wood for many years so added character was well received. He and I had discussed what kind of paint would work best for the application and in the end he chose acrylic and wax for the faux wood surface.
The extra kicker to this project was that we did it in the tradition of "Manny's Hat Song". I gave Wes an idea of who I was and what my direction was with the truck project and he created his contribution to the old girl.
When he finished the dash we decided it would be better to pick it up in person. The chance to meet Wes and Jyl was also a huge motivator to drive the 670 miles one way. The trip was full of anticipation to meet the artist and see his work. The dash exceeded my expectations and I don't own enough bandwidth to describe the evening that followed. Almost every inch of the Freed castle is covered with his work or someone else's or skulls or something related to music. It's hard to put a finger on but it was magic. Layers of a lifetime spent creating music and art.
An old service station sign repainted for "Willard's Garage" and a guitar painted by Angry Johnny.
The original artwork for Dirt Ball's "Turn up the Barn". It's acrylic and wax on wood that was also done in a shadow box style. Dirt Ball and The Shiners were the two bands that Wes and Jyl were a part of. They were also involved in a local event called the Capital City Barn Dance. Before the night got completely away from us I was able to find out who the reoccurring characters in his paintings were in real life and some of his techniques. We talked of music and their life on the road and music and art and music and people and art and music and soon midnight was upon us.
The dash with gauges temporarily in place. They will have visors installed and the chrome bezels will be aged to match the patina of the truck and Wes's art.
The "Night Owl" detail. This will have a blue cast to it from the big Plexiglas sunvisor on the truck. It should be a really cool effect.
The "Desert Witch Tequila" detail on the glove box door. Wood texture and handle by JB2, artwork by Wes Freed. The background blanket the dash is sitting on is also the seat cover for the old truck.
Near the end of the night Wes asked if I had a keyring for the truck yet. I've been collecting fobs to decorate the interior with but which one would actually hold the keys for the truck... then he tossed this from across the room. Decision made. This is a cutout of his "Night Owl Apple Wine" that was painted to match the dash's patina. How cool is that? Thanks Wes and Jyl for your hospitality and friendship!