American Graffiti Tribute Art 2020 & 2022

 The 2020 Event Art for Petaluma's tribute to American Graffiti was complete and awaiting its time in the spotlight when the world created other plans. We all recollect where we were when the pandemic happened, so it should come as no surprise that we lost some black top during that difficult time. What follows is my summary for last year's exhibit in dedication of Petaluma's deep connection to the movie American Graffiti. 

In hindsight, we got a lot of extra millage with our 2020 artwork. In a bargain package, we also got 2021 and 2022 in the same painting! It’s funny now, but when Elise painted the 2020 piece in late 2019, obviously we didn’t know how it would stand the test of time…. and a worldwide pandemic. But with a little luck, her piece that was created to acknowledge 15 years of car show celebration held up well. Similar to the 10th year celebratory artwork, Elise painted fifteen car characters, including two that were not from the movie. We showed love to our founders, John and Joetta Furrer and had their pristine Chevy added to a heavily detailed Petaluma Boulevard perspective, quietly parked in front of fictional “P-town Auto.”  Wayne & Rhonda Van Patten were honored by capturing their gorgeous (not yet born in 1962, the fictional timeline for American Graffiti) Pontiac, in a brick-side advertisement for “Future Pontiac.” This original fine art painting showcases the best of what we have come to count on Elise’s in work: there are too many details to acknowledge but we implore you to study this one. It features so much of what most of us love about the crusin’ culture and history of Petaluma, and also the universal experience of small town USA.

“The Fastest Car in the Valley” by Elise A. Durenberger ©2020
Original, Acrylic on Canvas 24 x 30” $4,000.00  SOLD!

I was beyond honored to win Best of Show, 1st Place and Best of Section in the Sonoma Marin Fair, 2021. A wise and discerning American Graffiti enthusiast and Car Show participant purchased this art during the 2023 event directly from the Petaluma History Museum. Although the tasteful customer had to patiently wait to receive the painting until after the show, he was glad to do so and we were delighted! 

For information on how to purchase remaining, original paintings and reproductions, please contact Elise Durenberger at mamacow@comcast.net

Gratefully yours, 

Elise

American Graffiti Tribute Art 2017

I'm sharing another painting of event artwork completed for Cruisin' the Boulevard's annual tribute to American Graffiti, this one created in 2017. This original piece is also featured in the Petaluma Historical Museum for their exhibit on the 50th year celebration of the movie American Graffiti, running 5/18/23 - 9/3/23. 

"The Best Seat in Town" ©2017 by Elise Durenberger

This is the story of how the artwork came together that was created to share for the exhibit at the Petaluma History Museum:

The setting for 2017 was still being contemplated when our artist found herself quite literally crusin’ the boulevard on her way to an event downtown. It was a crystal clear night where the iconic Old Mill was showing off against an elegantly lit sky, boasting our proud American flag in strong, sturdy balance and Elise was mesmerized. She pulled over and found herself directly across from the used car lot that still uses the business office so brilliantly shown in the scene where Toad has pulled over to contemplate his fender-bender while driving Steve’s car, the exquisite Chevy Impala, and is then accosted by a smarmy used car salesman. Elise envisioned these two dramatic settings zipped together in a painting, and the 2017 theme, “The Best Seat in Town” was born.  With a glorious, colorful flapping banner capped car lot, a brilliant, buzzing neon sign and gigantic rocking chair to inspire, the artist studied movie clips and still shots to confirm the signage, and other bits of nostalgic detail from a low-tech, but gloriously festooned time for car sales. The final painting is still one of her favorites and we enjoyed the  use of images in this artwork, especially when considering that the majority of the movie footage is shot in horizontal scale,  missing so much of Petaluma’s skyline charm.  We appreciate being able to have our own stamp of Cruisin’ the Boulevard on the event artwork in Elise’s paintings.

 

“The Best Seat in Town,” by Elise A. Durenberger ©2017                        

Original, Acrylic on Canvas 24 x 30” $3,500.00

For information about purchasing the original painting please contract greg@americangraffiti.net

American Graffiti Tribute Art 2015

It's a quick flashback to 2015! In honor of the 50th year of American Graffiti, the Petaluma History Museum is sharing original art from Cruisin' the Boulevard, Inc., that I painted including this exciting piece from 2015, my second year as event artist. Their new exhibit will open 5/18/23 - 9/3/23.

Tenth Year Anniversary Tribute by Elise Durenberger ©2015

Here a piece that was written for the Petaluma History Museum about the 2015, 10 year anniversary event art for Cruisin' the Boulevard, for their new feature on the 50th anniversary of the filming of American Graffiti:

The artwork for 2015 was created with the intention of celebrating ten years of Cruisin’ the Boulevard. The process began with the inclusion of many of the cars from the movie, including some of our regular “star cars” that represent American Graffiti at our annual event. With cooperation of the Petaluma Police Department, we were able to stage the background layout our artist was envisioning, right in the heart of downtown Petaluma so that she could take reference photos to enable her drawing and eventual painting for the year. The number ten is incorporated into the layout in various ways, including the use of ten car “characters.” Toad’s charming Vespa was lovingly featured, since it nearly stole the show in the initial Mel’s Diner scene as it unexpectedly collided with a garbage can as a hilarious result of user error. This famous gaffe made it into the movie and cemented the adorably clumsy authenticity of Toad’s (Charles Martin Smith) character. Other ways the artist signaled our 10th anniversary was by including the number in various business signs and finally by creating a faux advertisement painted in the brick edge of the Masonic Building.  We’ve come to enjoy anticipating how Elise emphasizes aspects of our annual theme in her artwork. This painting was her second on behalf of CTB and continues to be a favorite image to many.

“Tenth Year Anniversary Tribute” by Elise A. Durenberger ©2015
Original, Acrylic on Canvas 24 x 30”  $3,750.00

For information about purchasing the original painting please contract greg@americangraffiti.net

Historic Petaluma and the Movie American Graffiti

 The year was 2014, my first year serving as the Event Artist for Petaluma California's Salute to American Graffiti, a huge 3 day party in celebration of classic cars, talented actors and the town that provided some of the most iconic settings in the classic movie by George Lucas. Setting up for the day long car show, the grande party of the event, gets going before dawn. My first time, tiny booth, super nervous and excited, I snapped a photo that to this day encapsulates the magic of all of the above. I loved it so much that I incorporated it into a painting. This is not official event art, but rather art right from my heart. A love tribute, if you will. 

Daylight On Kentucky Street ©2017 by Elise Durenberger

Cruisin' The Boulevard, Inc., is a group of tireless volunteers who spend a large majority of the year preparing for the annual festival. The event starts with a super fun, spirited dinner party where fans, event staff and VIP's mingle, dine, celebrate and set the mood. The next day follows with a slightly informal car show where anyone can visit and show off their classic beauties in an open parking lot in town. All of this leads up to the BIG day on Saturday where the American Graffiti style cars (some ORIGINAL from the movie and a few clones) make a dramatic display on the exact streets where it all happened. Throughout the rest of downtown Petaluma, hundreds of the yummiest, candy colored custom cars who have been pre- registered are carefully parked to show off their exquisiteness and boy, if you haven't been, I can promise it's a good time! Here's a photo of myself and the timeless beauty, and Oscar nominated actress from American Graffiti, Candy Clark from that very first year, along with the original painting. What a thrill that was!

Candy Clark, Elise Durenberger and 2014 Fine Art

This year's, much anticipated, return to celebration is right around the corner on May 19th, 20th & 21st, 2022. I'm already planning my booth to feature the event art, which is available for purchase in different forms ranging from Original Fine Art Paintings, Limited Edition Archival Canvas Reproductions, Archival Rag Prints as well as greeting cards and postcards. Additionally, I'll have my own collection of classic car fine art including reproductions of the piece featured in this post, "Daylight On Kentucky Street." Speaking of Kentucky Street, here's the shot I took that first morning that reminds me of the treasures of living in Sonoma County and why I adore the work I do. Thank you so much for stopping by! 

 

Event Art for Cruisin' the Boulevard's Salute to American Graffiti, 2019 by Elise Durenberger

Proud to share my recently completed art for 2019's Cruisin' the Boulevard Salute to American Graffiti. This year's piece, "Petaluma's Spotlight on American Graffiti" was inspired by George Lucas's use of light in the filming of American Graffiti and how the brilliance of Carbon Arc Searchlights enhanced the infamous shaving cream scene, filmed in Petaluma, Ca. 

For six years I have had the privilege of creating the Fine Art backdrop for the wonderful car show and celebration of American Graffiti, hosted by Cruisin' the Boulevard, Inc.,  the most kind-hearted volunteers and truest classic car aficionados I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Painted with acrylic on canvas, my goal for this year was to up the magic of the lighted effects I has hoping to create with paint, while maintaining a balance of subject and composition that worked with or without the graphics that will be layered in for the promotional materials for the event. 

As always, my success is in the eye of the beholder. Here's hoping it works for YOU!

Please come and see us, if you can. Cruisin' the Boulevard is held on the same streets where the movie was filmed, downtown Petaluma, Ca., May 18th, 2019. Check out Cruisin's website for the extended schedule of events and details on how to purchase this year's art. Sure hope to see you then!

Warmly, 

Elise

Event Artist for Cruisin' the Boulevard's Salute to American Graffiti, 2018

I was honored to return as event artist for my 5^th year and the 13^th anniversary of Cruisin’ the Boulevard, Petaluma’s Salute to American Graffiti. Creating a painting to become the foundation of the Cruisin’ program and printables is a process I adore and anticipate soon after the boulevard is cleaned up after the previous event. Early in 2017, there were already whispers of inspiration and plans for this year, but life is filled with surprises and sometimes there are very large bumps in the road.

Sonoma County residents will never forget how the firestorm changed our community. Generations will define their lives by this catastrophe, remembering where they were and how they were affected.  No matter what the depth of loss, first responders rushing into the fire zones as thousands rushed out symbolized hope, comfort and courage during our deep despair. Members of the Cruisin’ the Boulevard team started wondering how they could acknowledge the fire victims and first responders in the new event art, so with some collaboration, I painted another hybrid scene (old and new, altered geography and characters) with Petaluma’s D Street Firehouse as a glowing companion for our beloved classic cars and nostalgia for the 2018 Cruisin’ the Boulevard painting. Together with the hard-working CTB team, we hope this scene satisfies the truest fans of American Graffiti while reminding us all that some of the greatest stars drive fire engines, police cars, ambulance, motorcycles, fly helicopters, airplanes and answer 911 calls. To first responders of all kinds, this year’s Cruisin’ the Boulevard event salutes you!