Wall-smacker-Art

Welcome to Wall-smacker-Art.

We hope you enjoy your visit.

Wall Smacker was the nickname of Peter De Paolo, winner of the Indianapolis 500 in 1925.  This was a sobriquet afforded him by veteran drivers after he had wrecked five times in six starts at the beginning of what was to become an illustrious racing career.   Also known as ‘Pile-up Pete’, he decided to retire following contact with an Indianapolis retainer wall at a 145 mph in 1928.  However, he briefly returned to the racing scene in 1934, but in Barcelona, after swerving at just 45mph to avoid three children, he suffered the most serious injuries to date.  Eleven days unconscious, and blind for five weeks, he was fortunate to survive the incident, but it marked the finalé of his career.

I could not resist using this name for my website!  For me, it symbolises the boldness and bravery of the pioneers of motorsport.  My ambition is to capture this spirit on canvas, in individual paintings, each of which tells its own story.  I have researched extensively each topic to produce, as far as possible, an authentic recreation which depicts the drama, speed and adrenalin-rush of the moment.  My aspiration is to ‘smack the wall’ with an eye-catching image of the excitement of the racing legends of yesteryear.  I hope very much that those who share my delight in the achievements of these ground-breaking drivers and mechanicians will enjoy viewing my work.

As you will see from the paintings currently featured on the site, I am very interested in the American history of the sport, but pictures now in the process of creation, or just in the planning stage, include the Targa Florio in Sicily and motor cycle racing in the Isle of Man TT. Please revisit my site in the future to view new additions.