DAY 128

UNEXPECTED ART FORMS

Dust in the Windshield

SCOTT WADE AND THE ART OF DIRTY CARS

If television commercials are to be trusted on existential matters, the type of vehicle one drives expresses the innermost essence of one’s personality.

Scott Wade turned this axiom on its head years ago. Rather than purchasing a car as a means of self-expression, he chose to treat the accumulated dust on his vehicle as an ever-renewable canvas for soulful creativity.

Fate situated Wade’s childhood home at the end of a long dirt road in central Texas, where the budding artist began doodling on the windows of the family car. By the turn of the 21^st century, Wade’s finger sketches had given way to sophisticated replications of classical artistic masterpieces and complex original works.

The lifespan of Wade’s work is extremely limited. Almost immediately following its inception, a drawing suffers the effects of wind, morning dew, light rain, and the foot traffic of the artist’s pet cats. He describes this temporary nature as integral to his work: “It reminds me that we won’t be here all that long, and to really enjoy wonder and beauty while we’re here.”

Since 2003, Wade has drawn commercially, creating filthy artistic treasures for advertising campaigns and wedding receptions alike.

All makes and models accepted. —DJS