lust for rust - The Lardner Report

(Pic #1) Inspiring color palette found on the side panel of a 1960s station wagon. I spotted this one at the Side Street Café in Newbury Park, Cal.

New life emerges from the weather-beaten shells of American classics.

It’s one of my favorite things: discovering patterns, textures and color shifts on cars and trucks who’ve seen better days. I love what Mother Nature has predetermined for these ever-changing works of art. I find that the more worn and scratched, the more personality they show. Sometimes they even help me conjure up a composition and color scheme for a painting. There’s something so rich and exciting about oxidizing auto paint. (Yes, I’m painfully aware of how seriously pathetic that sounds.) I hope you give these sweet rides a fresh look — and you too can develop a super keen, very satisfying, lust for rust.

(Pic #2) Side panel of a 1954 Chevrolet. Spotted in Los Feliz, Cal. Photo by Josh Kaplan.

(Pic #4) Photo by Josh Kaplan

(Pic #4) Detail, wheel well, 1949 Dodge pickup. Photo by Josh Kaplan

(Pic #5) Dodge 1949 pickup, Ojai, Cal.

(Pic #1) Side panel of 1941 Mack Fire truck. Saticoy, California

Confession: I’m kind of a junkyard junkie.

Not sure that’s a thing — but I love the mix of rusting old metal, peeling paint, and layers of decay. I know, you really want to say, “Lon, get a life.”

Well, check out this formerly red, classic 1941 Mack pumper truck I found in Saticoy, California. It sits in a salvage yard I like to visit for artistic inspiration. (And often, I incorporate these discoveries into my creativity workshops for Fortune 500 executives.) Art is in fact everywhere, if you are willing to look beyond.

These colorful, textured images — with their own preordained compositions — represent 80 years of extreme Southern California heat, and perhaps unintended neglect. But weathering brings new life — in the form of unpredictable art. These abstractions are just as exciting to me as a Rothko or Rousseau — just as visually stimulating, and way more accessible.

Old Cars — Stunning Scars

Age Before Beauty — Duh!