Here We Go Again: Art On Wheels, Part Five

Yeah, Another Blogger

My editor, Edgar Reewright, wasn’t pleased when I told him last week that my next story, which in fact is the one you’re now reading, would comprise observations garnered and photos taken in my pursuit of nicely decorated motor vehicles.

“Edgar,” I said to him over the phone, “you know that I get a kick out of photographing these bad boys, and maybe an even bigger kick from writing about the photo shoots. What can I say? It’s what I do.”

“Well, Neil, editing your attempts at writing is what I do. And I don’t want to deal with yet another of your Art On Wheels efforts. You’ve done four of them already. That’s more than enough. Believe me, nobody has been praying that you’d turn out a fifth. Neil, if you insist on going ahead with Part Five, then you’re on your own until you come to your senses.”

Being more than somewhat of an asshole, Edgar then hung up. Screw him! Who needs an editor anyway? Well, I sure do, come to think of it. But if this story has to be editor-less, so be it. I’ll bring Edgar back on board after I launch Part Five into cyberspace. He may not be a fan of my journalistic output, but he damn well is in favor of the monies I pay him for his expertise.

Yup, I surely enjoy an occasional quest for trucks and other vehicles whose bodies are artistically painted canvases that advertise goods or services. What’s surprising is that relatively few commercial vehicles, maybe one out of 10, fit that bill. The rest are either very plain Janes or are decorated not at all. As for the latter (the totally unadorned ones), more often than not they are monochromatic homages to one shade or another of white. Sure, there’s something to be said for going about your business anonymously. But, vehicularly-speaking, I prefer a nice amount or more of splash.

Parts one through four of this series (which you can read by clicking here and here and here and here) describe expeditions in my immediate area (I live near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA). Each adventure was confined to one day, a day in which I spent a few hours trolling shopping centers, strip malls and wherever else I could safely and slowly drive my car. When I found my prey, I parked the car, exited from it, and documented with my phone’s camera the vehicle(s) that had caught my eye.

This time around, though, I took a different approach, which began on the first of this month while my wife and I were visiting The Big Apple. That evening, walking to Penn Station to catch a train that would take us part of the way home, we passed a trippy wonder of a truck that sold cannabis-infused sweet stuffs. Weed World Candies was painted in nearly every gleeful color under the Sun. Natch, I had to take its picture.

The idea for Part Five began to solidify in my mind at that moment. No need this time around to snap the photos in one day. And no need, necessarily, to troll in a car. Three days later, therefore, I wandered around my home area on foot, and found four victims that met my standards. But, lazy guy that inherently I am, I used my car the day after that to locate more artsy examples. The pictures of all the vehicles that passed muster on the various photo shoots are on this page, but in no particular order.

So, what do you think about the trucks and the one SUV (Kremp Florist)? Me, I’ve got to rate the cannabis truck as number one. It probably is as sharp as any example of art on wheels that I’ve ever seen. And my pick for second best is the Sysco truck. Its blues are calming, its message one of graciousness and welcome. The third-place prize? I grant it to the Trotter Services truck. The precise, hard-edged design, though severe, is oh so modern to my eyes.

By the way, when I was about 80 feet from Sysco, which was partially obscured from my view by plantings, I heard what I assumed was the opening or closing of the truck’s rear door. Not knowing which direction the door was moving, and not wanting to wait to find out, I quickly took up position behind some bushes, enlarged the truck’s image on the phone’s screen, and pressed the button. Man, I was lucky to get the shot. In the photo, that’s the driver only seconds away from climbing into the vehicle and taking off.

I tell you, the writing game can bring surprises. The longer you’re at it, the more likely your true nature and inclinations will emerge, not only in words and story lines but in real life. When I began this publication in 2015, never would I have expected that I’d be tracking down good looking vehicles, and liking it. I confidently say that, assuming I remain above ground for the foreseeable future, there will be another installment of Art On Wheels, Edgar Reewright notwithstanding. What, like I’ve got something better to do? As I’ve noted in my articles numerous times before, I’m an old f*cker. Humor me.

(As I almost always mention, please don’t be shy about adding your comments or about sharing this piece. I thank you.)

(If you click on any photo, a larger image will open.)

106 thoughts on “Here We Go Again: Art On Wheels, Part Five”

  1. Lynette d'Arty-Cross February 10, 2020 / 12:44 am

    I laughed out loud when I saw the photo of the Trotter plumbing truck – pretty funny. 😀 The more you trot, the better my pay!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Lisa February 10, 2020 / 3:31 am

    You should definitely check out the WICKED campers in Australia, you’ll lose your mind. Some of them are outrageous!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. andrewcferguson February 10, 2020 / 6:29 am

    Very good, Neil. By the way, there’s no pressure, but I’m sure I could beat Reewright’s rates.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. joyce hamilton February 10, 2020 / 8:15 am

    Love the Art on wheels!!!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Laurie Graves February 10, 2020 / 8:33 am

    To heck with that editor! Continue on with this fun project. And I’m with you all the way with your ratings of one, two, and three. Although I do have a soft spot for the Sun Chips truck, maybe because it’s a snack I buy when my daughter comes to visit, and I associate them with her.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Paddy Tobin February 10, 2020 / 9:10 am

    Oh, I must look out for a few that I know would tickle your fancy!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Des February 10, 2020 / 9:12 am

    I find every vehicle to be quite interesting. My favorite is of course, is the “weedworldcandies” van with a very professionally done 60’s vibe to it. I also like the Trotter Services truck with the bold graphics and design that make it look really solid and industrial. And I really feel the energy of the electrically charged Lowry truck and the little black lightning bolt guy running to help out. High energy advertising at it’s best!
    You’ve made me realize I need to pay more attention while out and about in my neck of the woods. Fun post, Neil! Des

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger February 10, 2020 / 11:00 am

      I hadn’t noticed the lightning bolt guy on the Lowry truck. It makes me like that truck even more than before.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Ally Bean February 10, 2020 / 9:36 am

    Edit thyself. I like your photos so clearly you know what you’re doing here. I like Landes. Their tagline is a good one.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Paula B February 10, 2020 / 11:11 am

    My favorite is the Jack & Jill truck. I love the colors, and right now I want to run right out and devour an ice cream cone, even though it’s only 8:00 in the morning. By the way, Edgar Reewright is a gem. May he go on annoying you forever.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Robert Parker February 10, 2020 / 11:30 am

    Hi Neil – I read about an art museum that had an exhibit of picture frames. Just the frames, with no paintings in them. So your online exhibit of food trucks & vans doesn’t seem too crazy, in fact, great idea! The Weed World Candies truck is pretty eye-catching. Get Edgar Reewright a few treats to mellow him out!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger February 10, 2020 / 4:26 pm

      You’re not kidding about Edgar. He needs a whole lot of mellowing out.

      Like

  14. sniderjerry February 10, 2020 / 1:06 pm

    You are God’s gift to a camera shutter – keep on trucking! Jerry

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Catwoods February 10, 2020 / 1:44 pm

    I like these! I know it’s a different and more commercial concept but they sort of remind me of lavishly decorated art cars. In the past there have been one or two at the yearly arts festival here. They also bring to mind the Ken Kesey “Further” bus.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Sandy February 10, 2020 / 2:23 pm

    I just spoke to Edgar and told him he can stick his editing where the sun don’t shine!

    Liked by 2 people

  18. JT Twissel February 10, 2020 / 6:45 pm

    I generally see the most interesting truck art while driving and they are driving too and so it is hard to get a picture. The most fun art is generally on vans belonging to plumbing companies. My favorite plumbers are a company called LeapFrog and their trucks are covered with frogs which is generally not what you want coming up from the sewers while you’re doing your business but their motto is “we leap to it” and they do! So far, no invasion of frogs!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger February 10, 2020 / 7:30 pm

      Hi. Take a look at Paddy Tobin’s comment. He included a link that opens to a hilarious photo.

      Like

  19. Cindy February 10, 2020 / 11:24 pm

    Fun photos! Weed World Candies is highest on my list (is that a pot plant beside the truck??)–and by the same tokin’, Sun Chips and Jack & Jill. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

      • Cindy February 12, 2020 / 4:44 pm

        Ha! High on life, maybe–with a high five for your taste in truck art!

        Liked by 1 person

  20. cath February 11, 2020 / 3:27 am

    Edgar was wrong – editors don’t know everything, important as they are. Love the Weed World Candies and the Sysko – opposite ends of the artistic scale, I suppose.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. dfolstad58 February 11, 2020 / 9:12 am

    I doubt that I give trucks much a look but I will now ! I do remember an electrical business truck used to have a slogan on the side that said ” let us remove your shorts!”. You had to be there, and that slogan seems to be gone now.
    I do remember some of the motorcycles at Daytona Beach were works of art, probably you have seen some of those.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger February 11, 2020 / 10:28 am

      Hi. Yeah, there is a nice amount of artistic vehicles out there. They brighten up the roads!

      Like

  22. Alyson February 11, 2020 / 10:38 am

    It’s Weed World Candies for me – A popular pick it seems. Great pictures as ever. I don’t know if this will translate across the pond but we have ice cream cones over here and as I live in Scotland, our local purveyor of ice cream is called Phil McCone – Always makes me smile.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Mellow Curmudgeon February 11, 2020 / 12:27 pm

    In no particular order, I particularly like Hearn Kirkwood, Kremp, and Sysco.  They combine intrinsically pleasing form and color with succinct info.  Edgar Reewright should contemplate them.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Ann Coleman February 11, 2020 / 3:29 pm

    Personally, I love your art on wheels posts! Editors aren’t always right….

    Liked by 1 person

  25. johnlmalone February 11, 2020 / 9:41 pm

    we all need to get out occasionally without our editor yapping at our heels, and doing what we damn well like; I like your doggedness, Neil [ continuing the canine references\ in tracking down these arty vehicles and snapping them for us. thanks

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger February 11, 2020 / 10:34 pm

      I have a feeling that my editor will be back for my next story.

      Like

      • johnlmalone February 11, 2020 / 10:35 pm

        you can’t keep them at bay for too long, Neil 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  26. George February 12, 2020 / 12:17 am

    Edgar Reewright is a soulless grouch. I love seeing the world through your eyes.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger February 12, 2020 / 8:38 am

      I’m sitting here, sipping coffee and wondering if I need to cut the cord with Edgar. Maybe so.

      Hi George. See ya!

      Liked by 1 person

  27. selizabryangmailcom February 12, 2020 / 3:03 am

    I don’t recall seeing funky trucks like that, but they’re probably around and I don’t see them because I’m not looking for them.

    I love the cannabis truck’s motto: We recommend. You decide.

    Happy middle of the week!
    Stacey

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger February 12, 2020 / 8:39 am

      Hey there. Thanks for stopping by, Stacey. As always, I appreciate it a lot.

      Like

  28. joylennick February 12, 2020 / 6:02 am

    Oh, you are a case, Neil… But you could be stalking women with naughty intent, so I think stalking painted and air-brushed vehicles and photographing them, is the most sensible option..YOU HAVE AN EDITOR FOR YOUR BLOGS? What luxury!!. Keep on writing… Cheers. xx PS And it gets you out of the house!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger February 12, 2020 / 8:41 am

      Joy, you make some excellent points. And all of them are accurate!

      Like

  30. tanjabrittonwriter February 12, 2020 / 3:33 pm

    Another special selection of unusual trucks, Neil. You inspired me to pay more attention to vehicles, and I have started to click away and put my photos in a special folder. Once I have accumulated enough, I will put them in a post. 🚒

    Liked by 1 person

  31. Basia Korzeniowska February 12, 2020 / 4:05 pm

    You’ve certainly opened my eyes to painted trucks. Or at least the possibility of them. I live in west London and have not hitherto noticed any. But is I’ll keep my eyes open. Do they have to be hand painted? There are lots of v colourful commercial lorries but that’s not quite the same , is it?

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger February 12, 2020 / 4:56 pm

      Hi Basia. I suppose that some of the vehicles I’ve photographed for this series are fully painted by hand. But most, I think, use some sort of mechanized technique to get the designs/colors onto the vehicles.

      Many thanks for adding your thoughts.

      Like

  32. Rhonda February 12, 2020 / 5:52 pm

    What a fun and unusual post. I like purposefully paying attention to my surroundings like you did here and snapping photos when I find something interesting. The edible weed truck was surely the best one 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger February 12, 2020 / 6:37 pm

      Hi. Yeah, it stopped me in my tracks as my wife and I were walking on Seventh Avenue in Manhattan.

      Liked by 1 person

  33. tylerus February 14, 2020 / 7:31 am

    I don’t think my “like” went through the other day. 😦 Great post – I do, truly, look at trucks with new eyes. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  34. D. Wallace Peach February 14, 2020 / 9:45 am

    That was fun. Now I’m going to notice trucks and vans when I go to the city. I really liked the florist van and the Lowry electrical truck. But my fav is the ice cream truck. Thanks for the tour and I hope your editor gets back on board, though you didn’t seem to need him here. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger February 14, 2020 / 11:37 am

      Hello there. I was driving around this morning, running errands. I passed a beautiful truck for Troeg’s beers. I wish I had seen it when I was putting this story together. See ya.

      Liked by 1 person

  35. cincinnatibabyhead February 14, 2020 / 10:30 pm

    Lots f funky ‘Food Trucks’ in my area with cool paint jobs. There you go lurking again.

    Liked by 1 person

  36. ellie894 February 14, 2020 / 10:33 pm

    Hi Neil,
    I agree with you on the top two. Sysco is rather calming. Now you have me on the lookout for image vehicles in my area.
    Have a super weekend,
    Suzanne 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger February 15, 2020 / 7:36 am

      Hi Suzanne. Enjoy the hunt. And many thanks for dropping by my humble site. I appreciate it.

      Liked by 1 person

  37. America On Coffee February 15, 2020 / 10:22 am

    Another great post Neil! Funny thing, these vehicles are decorated as an attraction for business, but for photographers this art is a collection, a museum of art on wheels. One day the collection will be worth a lot of money!👍❤️❤️👍☕️☕️

    Liked by 1 person

  39. greenpete58 February 17, 2020 / 7:51 am

    Great to see another truck art installment, Neil. The rebel in me likes the Weed World truck, but I also like the simplicity, graphics, and soft green-yellow color scheme of the Landes truck.

    Hope all is well with you.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger February 17, 2020 / 9:58 am

      Hi Pete. Glad to hear from you. I just got back from a half-hour walk around my neighborhood. I’ve been doing a whole lot more walking than I had been. Supposedly, increased amounts of exercise are beneficial. See ya!

      Liked by 1 person

  40. ckennedyhola February 17, 2020 / 10:25 am

    Hi Neil! What a great project–I honestly hadn’t paid attention to the writing on trucks/cars, but I will now. Cheers!

    Liked by 1 person

  41. Annika Perry February 17, 2020 / 11:32 am

    Neil, seriously, ‘Pot Corn’ van?! I assumed this was an ice-cream van at first glance – I love the vibrant, jazzy colours! Reminds me of the colourful vehicles in India where there seems to be a competition to be the glitziest of them all!

    I like this idea for a post and as others have said, will make me pay attention to the painted vans around my area! Reckon they’ll be dull by comparision to some featured here!

    Liked by 1 person

  42. candidkay February 17, 2020 / 3:40 pm

    Oh, you’re making me long for Picasso. And O’Keefe. Or at least their truck-painting doppelgangers:).

    Liked by 1 person

  43. viewfromoverthehill February 18, 2020 / 1:21 pm

    Your photos have made me more aware of what I see in my town. Shall now concentrate on vehicle art. Another thing to enjoy. Cheers.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger February 18, 2020 / 3:15 pm

      Hi Muriel. Enjoy the trucks! I’m off to my local library now. I haven’t read a book in a month, and need to rectify that.

      Like

  44. Still a Runner February 21, 2020 / 8:58 am

    In New York in January, I also saw a colorful canibus van, but a different company. I tried to get a photo but was on a bus at the time and it didn’t work out. Nice photo collection,

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger February 21, 2020 / 10:43 am

      Yeah, NYC undoubtedly is a goldmine for decorative vehicles. I should go there to do my next installment of Art On Wheels.

      Like

  45. yvettecarol February 21, 2020 / 8:52 pm

    Do whatever the creative muse leads you to do. As long as you stay responsive to her call, you’ll remain ever young, Neil.
    Cheers,
    Yvette

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger February 21, 2020 / 11:25 pm

      Thanks, Yvette. When the muse taps me on the shoulder, I try to pay attention!

      Like

    • Yeah, Another Blogger February 25, 2020 / 4:48 pm

      Hi there. I’m glad to hear from you. And I like your advice. All I can say is: I’m trying!

      Liked by 1 person

  47. Librarylady February 28, 2020 / 5:33 pm

    You’ve opened my eyes. I’ve never even noticed the artwork on delivery trucks. Now I’ll have to pay more attention.

    Liked by 1 person

  48. Silver Screenings March 8, 2020 / 4:21 pm

    Another superb collection of Art on Wheels!

    My fave is the Trotter Services truck, although I don’t find it “pretty”. I do like how they made use of all the doors/compartments in their design. Plus, I like the green with that shade of grey.

    Liked by 1 person

  49. jeanleesworld March 19, 2020 / 9:49 am

    Hey, as a mother of two boys, I’m all too familiar with humoring a fellow’s love of trucks. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger March 19, 2020 / 11:03 am

      I’ve seen some beauties since I wrote this story. There is a lot of good art on the roads. All the best to you and your family.

      Like

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