Retromobile 2012 Artists

What makes Rétromobile such a success is the quality and variety of the exhibitors, exciting events schedule, and the popularity of the auction sale.

The event is a living museum showcasing the history of the motor car and presenting vintage machines lovingly maintained by car builders, clubs and federations alike. Rétromobile also hosts specialist craftsmen and sellers of cars, motorbikes, spare parts and models, and also has an 'automobile art' section. It is designed to kindle the imagination, interest and curiosity of car enthusiasts and budding or experienced collectors.

Historic Car Art is pleased to be exhibiting at Rétromobile in 2012. Showcasing artworks by Barry Rowe, John Ketchell, Roy Putt, Rob Ijbema and Andrew McGeachy as well as a selection of fine vintage posters.

Examples of the currently available original work of these artists can be seen in this section, but rest assured if you visit Rétromobile you will see many new pieces produced especially for the event. Many of these pieces are also available as limited edition prints.

As one of the world’s leading automotive artists, Barry Rowe has developed a worldwide following, and an impressive list of private and corporate clients.
His distinctive style and passion for automobiles is reflected in his paintings. By creating works of art instead of illustrations of cars, Rowe imbues each painting with an atmosphere and interaction that allows you to see every automobile at its finest.
After a career in advertising as an art director, Barry decided to become a freelance painter, and his success began with winning the prestigious Sotheby’s Art Award for a portrait of Juan Manual Fangio.
After winning the award, Barry won commissions from Louis Vuitton, Royal Mail, Royal Doulton and Royal Caribbean Lines, for whom he is now Artist in Residence, and is flown out specially for ships on their inaugural cruises.
In 1998, Barry painted his first poster for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, beginning a long and exciting relationship, continuing with posters for the Concours in 1999, 2007 and 2008, and for the Pebble Beach Tour seven years in a row from 2000, and again in 2008 and 2009.
Today Barry’s clients include Aston Martin, Mercedes Benz, Cunard, Royal Caribbean, Chopard, and of course, Pebble Beach.

John Ketchell has been drawing for over forty years, starting in his early teens when he realised expressing himself through charcoal, pastels and paint was what he wanted to pursue. John trained formally and studied at Harris School of Art Preston, a 4 year course culminating in achieving the MSIA.
Over the years John's style has developed from photo realism to semi abstract which allows more freedom of how to interpret the subject matter. Paintings are typically motorsport or car orientated and any event that involves speed.
Internationally reknown as a motorsport artist, John has been commissioned to produce work by many leading companies and private individuals.
John's paintings can be seen at all major motorsport events such as Goodwood Festival of Speed and Revival Meeting, Race Retro, and on exhibition at the Historic Car Art Gallery.

Roy Putt studied drawing and graphic design at Bournemouth College of Art and worked for a time in an advertising agency and then as a freelance until the rock band,in which he played bass guitar, secured a recording contract and he switched to being a professional musician.
After years of touring Roy decided to concentrate on building a career in motoring art and he is now a regular exhibitor at prestigious events like Goodwood Festival of Speed, Silverstone Classic, Le Mans Classic and Race Retro. He has also exhibited at The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu and also at Donnington, Gaydon and Brooklands.He was a prize winner in the last Planners International Motoring Art competition.
Roys paintings have been purchased by both enthusiasts and companies, including the John Haynes collection, Italy’s Quattroroute magazine and Maserati U.K. He has also undertaken a series of multiple commissions for the Royal Irish Automobile Club, Hastings Direct Insurance,
Suffolk Sports Car Engineering, Dragon Wheels and the XK Racing Series as well as commissions for many individual clients who are involved in the world of motoring and motor sport.
His work has also featured in both the Automobile and Classic and Sports Car magazines. He has work on exhibition at the Historic Car Art Gallery.

Dutchman Rob Ijbema now lives in Wales. From a young age Rob has never been far away from pencil, scalpel or brush. He has always had this desire to capture images in his own way.
His passion for racing cars made him move to England, the home of motor racing where he built scale model cars for most of the famous names in the Grand Prix world.
However after 10 years it was time for a new challenge, racing cars are now captured in oil paint and acrylic.
Rob's paintings are known for their emphasis on atmosphere,light and movement, rather than detail. His combination of a delicate impressionist style with his sense of danger, speed and menace of motor racing, results in powerful pictures. Detail is hinted at by seemingly random dashes of color and line. There’s so much abstraction in some areas of the work that it’s almost an optical illusion.
Historic Car Art has works ranging from large canvases to wonderful small study paintings.

Born in Scotland and a graduate from the Royal College of Art, Switzerland based Andrew McGeachy is a qualified automotive designer whose activities include painting and illustration. The work captures speed and emotion in vibrant colour.

Subjects are mainly automotive but anything that moves can be touched on. Paintings in acrylic and drawings in pastel and mixed media.

Perhaps paradoxically for a designer, there has always been a higher degreee of passion for vehicles from the past, especially 1930s Grand Prix Cars and 1950s Le Mans racers with their functional but evocative, characterful forms.

Recent work has included a series of paintigs for Bentley Motors, posters for the L’Age d’Or Lanvin at Montlhery, the Montreux Offshore power boat race and the exclusive Villa d’Este Concourse d’Elegance.