Feeling the love at Autorama

Commissioned 1950 Hudson sculpture by Josh Welton.

February 29 has rolled around again for the first time in four years, which gave me an extra day to get the last blog for the month written. And I needed every minute I could get, because last weekend was the 64th Detroit Autorama. It feels like crazy talk to tell folks this was my sixth year displaying my work in the show’s Artist’s Alley.

The 2010 Autorama was the first show ever that I displayed my art. Set up between a couple of fellas named Max Grundy and Ed Tillrock, I didn’t know what to expect.

Looking back, it was probably the most pivotal point in my art career, because each has become a friend and mentor. They saw something in my work that showed potential, and I’m forever grateful. And it was a step out of my comfort zone as a person as well; dealing with people was never my forte. After the first day my wife Darla looked at me and wondered out loud, “Who is this guy?”

Talking about what I do, especially the welding, was unexpectedly easy. My passion for my trade gave me a confidence I’d never had before, and the conversations were fun.

Fast-forward a half-dozen years, and Max, Ed, and I still set up next to each other, only now the Alley has grown from maybe 11 or 12 artists to more than 20 talented individuals. It mirrors the trajectory of the show as a whole, with each Autorama growing in both crowd size and vehicle quality. Builders come from all over the globe to compete for the coveted Ridler Award, which is given to the top hot rod debuted at the show. This year, a 1939 Olds built by Customs and Hot Rods of Andice from Texas won.

I spent the weekend before the show building my first sculpture since last October, a commissioned 1950 Hudson (Figure 1). It wasn’t for sale, but the reception of it was awesome. The stainless steel belt buckles, money clips, and key chains I’ve been welding up the last few weeks also were pretty popular, as were the “Tough Nut” T-shirts that Ed designed for me.

As always, thanks to everyone who took the time to swing by my booth to check out my work or talk shop. I truly value the love I always get in Detroit.

Check out some of my favorites from the show in the slideshow!

All images courtesy of Brown Dog Welding.

Slide Show | 27 Images