On the final Monday morning of this year’s penultimate month, I boarded a train in my sleepy suburban town. One hour later it deposited me in Jefferson Station, smack in the heart of The City Of Brotherly Love: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. After exiting the station, I walked one block north on 10th Street, entering Chinatown, one of my favorite Philadelphia neighborhoods. My mission — to wander around the city, photographing well-adorned vehicles that cross my path — seemed to be off to an auspicious start, for I soon spotted a magnificently decorated truck, one belonging to the Rosenberger’s dairy company. Whipping out my phone, I took the truck’s picture, figuring there was a good chance it would be the best-looking vehicle I’d see all day.
Well, as it turned out, things slowed down considerably after that. I saw only eight more commendable wheeled objects during the two and a half hours I spent pounding the streets, at least five or six fewer conveyances than I was expecting. What’s more, a look into my blog’s archives two days later showed me that Rosenberger’s, and another top-tier truck I encountered that Monday, had made previous appearances in Art On Wheels installments. My policy is to exclude previously presented vehicles, so those two are outta here. Ouch! . . . their loss pains me. One day I may need to rethink said policy. In any event, I’ve given some thought to the seven remaining transports, and have chosen the five I favor most. Their photos reside on this page.
Which of the five do you like best? My top picks are Freda Deli Meats (see above) and Office Basics (see below). Freda’s bold colors are balanced carefully. They reach out and grab you, but don’t slap you too hard upside your head or upside any other part of your body. Hell, you’d have grounds for a lawsuit otherwise. And I’m impressed by the asymmetry of the Freda canvas, its righthand portion extending a couple of feet below the rest of the design. That’s a sophisticated touch you don’t see too often on vehicle art.
As for Office Basics, I find myself almost mesmerized by its stoic presence. Its artwork proves that perfectly positioned concise shapes, and a limited palette, are all that’s needed sometimes. I have a hard time choosing between Office Basics and Freda. However, if some motherf*cker were holding a gun to my head and ordering me to make a decision, or else, Office Basics it would be. Sorry, Freda, that’s life.
I’ll say a bit more before being on my way, starting with this: My visit to Philadelphia took me far and wide. By no means was I only in Chinatown. According to my phone’s Health app, I totaled six miles of walking. And I did so with just a couple of brief pauses, so focused was I on trying to locate art that sits above wheels. I tell you, I am extremely thankful that I’m still able to carry on like this, seeing that I’m distressingly close to being old as dirt. My Art On Wheels ventures, and other long walks I indulge in, help to keep my spirits up and fulfill my need for adventure.
Finally, I’ll add that I’m amazed by the unpredictable nature of the Art On Wheels expeditions. I never know what I’ll find around the next corner or on the block straight ahead of me. These jaunts are treasure hunts. They are fun games, and a healthy way in which to spend some hours. I now have done my Art On Wheels thing 14 times, and haven’t begun to tire of it in the least.
Yeah, Another Blogger 
The tour bus looks cool! Reminds me of my stuff on my website https://creepy-bunny.myspreadshop.com/ very edgy!
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Catching up with you your art on wheels post and finding them fascinating. But in fairness compare to European track all the American tracks look more glamorous in a way but here in Ireland around Christmas most of buses and some privately owned track have Christmas lights all over and as tacky as it can sound it is very merry and enjoyable to see🤩
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It’s great that the owners of the vehicles brighten them up. It’s a real good idea.
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I’m definitely a Freda fan—most appealing. And good for you getting in your cardio, neuron-stretching, eye-hand coordination pleasure venture! Cheers!
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Hi there, Annie. Yeah, we need to keep on keepin’ on as best we can.
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Interesting!
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It’s definitely the Stella Artois truck for me. Makes me thirsty just looking at it?
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I’ll be eating dinner in about 30 minutes from now. With a beer!
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I loved the pics of the trucks. Since its the holidays, I have to say my favorite is the holiday trolley bus.
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Hi Diana. I’m tempted to head into Philadelphia this week or next, and take a ride on that bus. I’m curious as to where in the city it goes.
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I hope you do. A little adventure is always fun.
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Every time I see a unique truck, I think of you! I’m all for art-on-the-go xxxxx
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Evening, Jean. There are some excellently decorated vehicles out there, and I wish there were more.
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Super! For me, it’s Freda
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Freda is the runaway winner. That vehicle has gotten far more votes than any of the others.
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In terms of effective graphic design, the Office one definitely wins. I’m usually drawn to the more colorful ones though. Seems to be plenty to choose from out your way!
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I’ve had good luck with my Art On Wheels ventures. I hope that continues.
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Advertisement is by far the single category of visual art in which we invest the most research, upon which we lavish production methods, and which we most admire ~ all without appreciating or treating it as art at all.
Like yourself, quite completely aside from the commercial attractiveness of whatever product is being advertised, I appreciate the physical beauties of the genre as a stand-alone virtue.
In any dwelling (and, quite coincidentally, my current dwelling is a minivan), I place objects with their most beautiful aspects to the fore, very much including colorful labels. I’ve been many times complimented on the beauty and peace of even the meanest dwellings I have inhabited ~ this current one quite recently, in fact, within the last week.
I notice the occasional private vehicle, and even city train car, now, painted or appliqued in non commercially decorative motifs which gives me much hope for the potentially increased beauty of our world.
Way to find the wonder and magic always just under the surface of the seemingly ordinary! Entertaining write-up, too. 👌
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Hell there, Ana, and thanks for the input. Right, there’s often a good deal of beauty in the things we take for granted. We just need to open our eyes and minds.
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Exactly! 👌✨
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Mobile art is great but can be distracting if you’re driving!
It sounds as though you had a fun time seeking these out, but my favourite is the tour bus. 😉
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I get a kick from the Art On Wheels mini expeditions. I’m looking forward to the next one, whenever it might be.
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What a fun idea. I am always looking for new art for my chiropractic office in Logan. Maybe some cool van art can bring a fun energy to the waiting room.
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Next you should do one ‘wheels on art’. One famous painting featuring wheels is “The Hay Wain” by John Constable. Anyway, your art on wheels is groovy! 🥭
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Wheels On Art is a good idea!
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What a great idea for a street photography day. I’m on to it in the New Year.
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Hello there, and thanks for adding your thoughts. I appreciate it.
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What a fun adventure and theme! They make a good set and I enjoyed reading your story and seeing them.
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Hey, Denise. I get a kick from doing Art On Wheels stories, that’s for sure.
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Greeting Neil! There is an unpredictable nature of Art On Wheels: art can always be refined and embellished. However, much scrutiny is required here, and a policy change may be in for a makeover too. Wishing you a delightful season into an exuberant new year!
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Hi there, and thanks for adding your thoughts. Is this AOC? You’re listed as Anonymous, so I don’t know.
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💛🧡❤️🎄 🎁
Merry Christmas 🪄🎄🌈
Blessings 💖💝🌹
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Hi. Thanks for stopping by. Happy New Year to you and yours.
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Sorry, Neil, I must politely disagree. I mean Freda is the obvious hands-down winner here! As William Blake said in his poem THE TYGER “What immortal hand or eye, Could frame thy fearful symmetry?” Or in this case Asymmetry–as you so keenly observed about the Freda truck.
Happy New Year!
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Freda has garnered far more votes than any of the others. I still stand by my choice, though. Hi Amy. Here’s to a fulfilling and fun-filled 2025!
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I tried to “like” but WP in its infinite “wisdom” would only let me comment.
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The Philly Tour bus wins my vote this time. It’s the season!
Wishing you the best for the holidays and the new year just around the corner! Hopefully, I’ll get my blog back up soon and we can connect via WP again.
Have a great last few days of 2024!
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Hi Eden. It’s incredible that 2024 is just about over. It went too fast. Take care, and Happy New Year!
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I quite like the holiday lights tour bus – very festive. The Stella Artois has a nice clean design.
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I wouldn’t mind drinking a Stella Artois right now!
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Wishing you a belated Merry Christmas and a right-on-time Happy New Year, Neil!
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Thanks, Mitch. Here’s to a fulfilling 2025!
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Happy New Year!
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Thanks. Same to you.
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Freda Deli Meats, hands down. I love your idea of discovering art on trucks! AND that you take the train from your small town–I love trains too.
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Hi. Freda has garnered far more votes than any of the other vehicles. Freda rules!
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