Afas President Ken Eberts Brings Historic Races To Life Through Art During Amelia Island Concours

Feb. 8, 2012 - PRLog -- AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. – Feb. 6, 2012 – Automotive Fine Arts Society (AFAS) President Ken Eberts will showcase a spectacular selection of artwork alongside his fellow members during the 2012 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, March 8-11, in Amelia Island, Fla.  This year, the AFAS artists will honor the concours featured marques by exhibiting pieces that feature the 50th anniversary of the Shelby Cobra and the Ferrari GTO, as well as race cars from Florida’s two legendary endurance classics – Sebring and Daytona –and much more.

“Members of the Automotive Fine Arts Society push the boundaries of creativity each year with new pieces of breathtaking work, bringing to life the exciting world of beautiful classics and fierce race cars,” noted Eberts.  “My two pieces being displayed at the upcoming concours represent the edge-of-your-seat thrill and tough competition drivers’ felt with every gut-wrenching turn on the track.”

Staying true to the 2012 theme, Eberts will display two 24"x28" lithographs. The first lithography painting will highlight the Pontiac GTO-R competing at Daytona Raceway.  Using bold colors, Eberts brings to the life the high-endurance speed of the two race cars.  The audience will be captivated by the close proximity of the vehicles, questioning which vehicle came in first.

Another track observed by Eberts’ brush is the legendary Sebring International Raceway.  In Eberts’ second painting, two Cadillac CTS VRs are crossing the finish line neck-and-neck to ultimately capture first and second place at Sebring.  The rich detail of the two vehicles makes this painting stand-out among other automotive pieces.  Both pieces were commissioned by GM Racing in 2004 and 2005 and were signed by the drivers.

“These works of art are designed to pull the audience into the painting,” added Eberts.  “I want them to feel the rush of excitement that they’d experience attending any major race.  The colors capture your attention and I can’t wait to proudly display them during the 17th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.”

Eberts graduated from New York’s High School of Music and Art and the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles.  After beginning his career as an automotive designer for Ford Motor Company, Eberts started his automotive art profession in 1968.  Over the past 40 years, he has produced more than 1,200 original paintings that are currently in public and private collections worldwide.

His pieces of work have been exhibited throughout the United States, earning numerous awards, including honors from the City of Los Angeles, American Artist Magazine, the City of Beverly Hills and the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum. He helped establish AFAS and has been president since the organization’s inception in 1983.

In 1990 and 1992, he received the prestigious Peter Helck Award• "Best of Show" at the AFAS Exhibition at the Pebble Beach Concours.  He was awarded the Richard Teague Award presented to an artist whose body of work best exemplifies the spirit of the automobile at the 1994,1995 and 2000 Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance in Rochester.  He has been an exhibitor in the National Watercolor Society and his paintings have been part of their National Touring Exhibition.  He has been honored with over 25 one man shows at galleries across the country.

In 2005, Eberts received the renowned Meguiar’s “Treasure of the Hobby Award,” making it the first time ever that an automotive artist was the recipient.  In 2003, he was named Ford Motor Company’s official Centennial Artist and was commissioned to create 13 original paintings that were used as a calendar to celebrate Ford’s 100th Anniversary. Ken was proud to follow Norman Rockwell, who was Ford's 50th Anniversary artist in 1953.

To learn more about Eberts and his exemplary group of Automotive Fine Arts Society members, log on to www.autoartgallery.com/afas/ or visit the Society when they showcase their best work at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance this Spring.

About the Automotive Fine Arts Society
AFAS was established in 1983 by a group of artists who are acknowledged by critics to be among the best in their field.  Members work in many diverse mediums including oil, watercolors, acrylics, wood, gouache, pen & ink, clay and metal.  AFAS participates in select shows across the country including the Pebble Beach Concours d´Elegance and the Amelia Island Concours d´Elegance.  Information about AFAS is available at www.autoartgallery.com or by calling Laura Sayed at 214.520.3430 ext. 306 or lsayed@tprm.com.