Driving In Style

   The automobile has had many negative effects on American society but it has given us a mobility unmatched in the World. We love our automobiles but with today's fewer models and similar body styles it's harder to get excited by the silhouette of a sleek sedan. This was not the case in the 1930s and early 1940s. Cars from this period exhibit a unique design that are a pleasure to look at. The Ford Model Ts and Model As that preceded the autos shown here were rectangular, boxy shapes that pretty much mimicked the outline of a horse and buggy. In the 1930s, as air travel caught the public's attention, there was more consideration of aerodynamics and the automobile becamed more streamlined as a result.

The 1929 Mercedes began sporting streamlined wheel covers.

1930 Packard Ad

1933 Buick

1933 Pontiac 8

1934 Humber "Twelve" Sports Tourer

1935 Nash

1935 Oldsmobile

1936 Buick

1936 Chevrolet  I love the rumble seat.

1939 Plymouth Roadking

1941 DeSoto

Camping with a yellow Nash

1946 Cadillac

1946 Hudson

1948 Plymouth

Classic Illustrators: Maxfield Parrish

   During the Golden Age of Illustration, there were few artists that could match the paintings of Maxfield Parrish (1870-1966). This prolific artist created book and magazine illustrations, advertisements and allegorical images with a skilful craft. He is most known for the luminous quality of his pictures and their three-dimensional quality.

Daybreak

Self Portrait

Ad for Edison-Mazda

The Dinky Bird

Parrish's paintings used layered techniques to achieve strong color. Artists today call the above color "Parrish Blue".

Cadmus Sowing the Dragon's Teeth

Ad for Community Plate

Contentment

Interlude

Enchantment

Knave of Hearts

Morning

Ecstasy