SMOKE- IN HONOR OF OUR MILITARY HEROES

Fire seems to play a role a lot in my life. I acquired my 1978 Trans Am
"Smoke" because of "fire". I had a 1989 Firebird Formula that I had just had
the engine rebuilt. I drove it away from the shop and on a ranch road on a
very hot day during a dry time in Texas where I lived at the time. On the
way to a small town, my new car engine seized up and so I pulled over onto
the side of the road. I couldn't get it started and their was smoke coming
from under my hood, then I smelled definite "FIRE". I jumped out as fast as
I could and ran behind as far as I could. On the way, I met with a man who
pulled over and got out with a fire extinguisher. He was able to put the
grass fire out that was burning under my car. I seem to have a firefighter
around when I need one... that is what he was, an off duty firefighter. The
car seemed to be okay, but I was so concerned even though the motor was
warranted, that there would be damage to wires and other things on my car
from the fire. I was very sad, and a friend told me he knew of a person that
had a 1978 that he was going to be selling. That was my "dream car" so to
speak, so I went to l look at it. When the guy started the engine, it was
love at first "sound"! That is what led to the rebirth of "Smoke". A perfect
car to represent "Powerful and Brave Heroes".

I have wanted for a long time to Military "Tribute Car". This was like a
gift. I knew it was the perfect car.

I designed "Smoke" with much symbolic meaning, to say "Thank you!".

The arrows in his talon represent the three main branches like in the
DOD Eagle insignia. The other talon has an olive branch ..which represents
that our military service men and women are 'ultimate' peace keepers..with
out them we would not have freedom and without freedom there
would be no peace. Also, it represents the 'peace keeping services that our
troops are involved in. That aspect of our Forces too often goes uncovered
in the media. "Smoke" is a warrior, he bears a shield...the shield reads in
latin "Robur In Rebus Adversis" meaning "Strength in Adversity". I have
drawn him to look as if he is made of metal which represents the 'mechanized
aspect of our military ...weaponry etc. The appearance of movement in the
wings expresses the flesh and blood and lives of our troops. The intense
fire expresses the "spirit" and "passion" of our troops and the danger of
the tasks that lie before them. Looking back at history, our Armed Forces
have always shown extreme strength under adverse conditions. One might say
that they are "Forged by Fire" and made stronger by their experiences. The
image is particularly special to me because of the path my life took and
brought me this relationship I have with them. If you go to
http://www.herosketch.com and read "Meet the Artist", that will explain what
I mean. Smoke's license plate number is 'SALUTES' ...a message to all who
serve and are serving. Also, it is the message I write on my prints when I
sign them. Thank you to the State of Colorado!

"Smoke" has been airbrushed by an awesome artist known as 'Magoo'. He is a
Navy Veteran-Vietnam. Very appropriate for my Military tribute TA. He is the
artist who airbrushed the Stagecoach scene on the rig featured in the movie
Smokey and the Bandit, also very appropriate for my TA. It was an amazing
story how I met him and he agreed to do my Phoenix. Just another "fateful"
incidence in my life. I talked to a company rep at a show who dealt with car
decals and told them what I had. After viewing the artwork,the guy who is a
very talented airbrush artist himself, told me I needed it airbrushed and
not just a decal. I told him I couldn't afford anyone who could do that
detail and he said he had the perfect guy. He had Magoo call me and Magoo
said he liked my art and I think mainly because it is a tribute to our
Military, he wanted to do the airbrush work for me. He did it for a very
small price for what it should have been, so I was able to agree. He just so
happened to be moving from Las Vegas where he had lived and worked for years
to Colorado Springs, close to where I live. And at the time I needed him, my
car was at that stage. Well, as fate would have it he was only able to be
here long enough to do my Phoenix. The altitude was getting to him and he
had to move back to Las Vegas. I truly feel it was just meant to be. When
Magoo did his work, there were a couple of variations. He has my bird facing
the other direction and he put two arrows in his talon not three. He said the
art was not clear on the arrows. He said he only saw two ends of the arrows
and three heads. Well, I had overlapped one. Anyway,I changed the meaning tao
one arrow is for the "defense of freedom" the other is for the "preservation
of freedom" which is really much better. Maybe, I got it wrong and just
needed it to be corrected! Magoo did an awesome job. Truly, a wonderful work
of art with his rendition of my work.

"Smoke" started as a sketch I created out of my imagination. I had him
scanned and put on a cd and then went into Photoshop. I just messed with the
contrast and color variations. That is how I got the final version of him.