It was the mid-sixties and the British Invasion was in full
swing, with the Beatles dominating the charts. The cultural
landscape was shifting, with the rise of mini-skirts, Twiggy and
bee-hive hairstyles, and the emergence of flower children and
hippies in old Volkswagen buses. This painting captures a
snapshot of that time, with a nostalgic tone.
The painting depicts a young graduate taking her new Mustang for
a spin with a friend. They are getting a lot of attention from
the guys in a Super Sport Chevelle. The scene is set on September
9th, 1968, a significant date as it was the night before the
debut of Star Trek on NBC. The artist has included some Trek
trivia, with the license plate number on the classic '64.5
Mustang being NCC-1701, the insignia for the starship Enterprise.
Additionally, Spock can be seen paying his bill for a classic
Shelton's Diner meal.
The artist notes that while Star Trek was a great space fantasy,
the real space adventure was just getting off the ground. This is
reflected in the license plate number on the Chevelle, NAA-316,
which honors the quest for space exploration. On March 16th,
1968, astronaut Neil Armstrong demonstrated his cool courage and
quick thinking when the Gemini spacecraft he was testing went out
of control. His ability to "save the day" made him the selection
for the first man on the moon on July 20th, 1969.
The painting also captures the mix of jukebox hits that were
popular at the time, including "Wild Thing," "Strangers in the
Night," "The Ballad of the Green Berets," and "Hanky Panky." The
Rolling Stones had "Paint it Black" while the Four Tops sang
"Reach Out I'll Be There." Both groups are still around today, a
testament to the enduring appeal of the music of that era.
In conclusion, the painting is a nostalgic look back at a
defining moment in history, capturing the cultural and musical
trends of the mid-sixties, as well as the excitement and optimism
surrounding the space race. It is a nostalgic tribute to the
classic cars, music, and TV shows of the era, and a salute to the
pioneering spirit of those who ventured into the unknown.
Description by the Artist
Watch this video presentation by the artist describing the
painting process, the research, and the hidden trivia in the
painting.
The original painting is 36x24" on masonite panel, completed in
1995.
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