The Naked Silo

Bug Left , ink on paper, 14" x 17", 2006 Bug Right , ink on paper, 14" x 17", 2006 Although this Volkswagen Beetle was decked out like Herbie the Love Bug , I can't be sure it was used in any of the films in any way. I shot the reference for this while biking around Toronto a few years ago but my camera was loaded with black and white film ( C-41 , actually), but that was okay, since the car was largely monochromatic.

20" x 26", watercolour on Yupo, 2009, private collection Even though I finished this painting back in September --just before my exhibition of classic cars at The Pilot tavern in Yorkville-- I've only just now gotten around to taking a good photo of it for my records (and my Etsy shop (link below)...and this here blog). I guess that's in keeping with the spirit of this particular car: I spotted the vehicle on the south side of Queen Street, across from Trinity Bellwoods Park this summer, but only just had enough time to get off my bike, get my camera out, and snap a quick one before its driver got in and pulled away, heading east. Then, the exact year of this model eluded me in my online search (and still does, hence the simplified title). I think it's from the 1940s or 50s, but the design of the damn turn signals over the front wheels doesn't match the other parts chronologically, so I think it's a bit of a hybrid, kitbash, mélange of MG eras...