Tom Fritz

Tom's Image Centerpiece of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame 2011 Induction Ceremony

November 18, 2011

"So Woefully Underpaid", Tom's painting depicting an iconic moment in AMA Grand National lore was the focus of attention at the recent Induction Ceremony held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The depiction is of Kenny Roberts broadsliding the 125 horsepower Yamaha TZ750 through the final turn (while tagging hay bales) on his way to passing Jay Springsteen and Corky Keener to win the Indy Mile in Indianapolis in 1975. The image was vigorously well-received by the audience, and presented to Kenny Roberts at his induction.

Bob Drake Reproductions Catalog Cover and limited Promotional Poster

November 2011

For the second time, Bob Drake Reproductions has enhanced the cover of their parts catalog with Fritz's imagery. "S'Gonna Be A Hot One" and "Comin' Across Tough" were selected. The company also distributed an extremely limited signed-by-the-artist promotional poster of "S'Gonna Be A Hot One" at their booth at the SEMA show in Las Vegas.

Tom garners Best in Show at "Immortalized", ArtHatch Distinction Gallery

September 9, 2011

Upon handing out the Best of Show Award, artist and juror Robert Williams pronounced the following: "There are some artists that are good, and there are some artists that are excellent; there are some artists that are funky, and there are some artists that are just goddamn remarkable. Best in Show goes to Tom Fritz."

Fritz awarded his sixth Best in Show at Pebble Beach

August 2011

Fritz is among several of the Automotive Fine Art Society's artists to be awarded the prestigious Peter Helck Award at the AFAS Premiere Exhibition at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. In fact, he is now the only artist to have won the award for an unprecedented sixth time, and the only artist to win the award back-to-back twice! Tom's first Helck Award came in 1997 for "What Is Good For Young Bulls", the second in 1998 for "Evening Riders" (which also marked the first time an artist won the award two years in a row), the third in 2003 for "Taking Artistic License", the fourth in 2007 for "A Little Ahead of Schedule", in 2010 for his oil-on-canvas entitled "Stone Hooked", and now for his painting "Out Quicker Than A Hiccup". The never-before exhibited painting was introduced at the show. "My painting of a dirty, crusty Ford Model T, buried up to it's axles in mud, with all the sloppin' and muckin' and roost flying, the sound of snortin' and cussin' and spittin', pounding hooves and rattling trace chains on the whipple trees and double tree stood out in obvious contrast to the quiet exotica parked outside around the tent. I'm especially proud that the movement and emotion in my work was so palpable."

Waves at Pebble Beach Concours

August 17, 2011

Take a look at the never-before-exhibited paintings that will debut at Pebble. Click on over to New Works

See What They're Saying

July 1, 2011

A well-written commentary on Fritz's work. Read it here: Commentary

"Exhibition Announcement: The Works of Tom Fritz"

May 7 - November 6, 2011

The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles is pleased to present a much-anticipated exhibition of thirteen original paintings by Tom Fritz. Some of his finest inspired visual and emotive investigations will comprise this solo exhibition. The six-month long retrospective is a stunning survey of the breadth of the artist's technical fluency, his composition, and his light and color sensibilities. This show promises an opportunity to observe the universal connections Fritz finds in painting the underlying energy in several aspects of motorsport.

"Tom Fritz, Frontier of Speed"

April 5, 2011

See what they're saying over at Genevieve Chappell's. Article

"Masters of Chicken Scratch" Volume 2

January 2011

Tom's artwork is featured in the second volume of this highly successful compendium of the 'hot rod art' genre. Only the best of fine art, design, and conceptual model building goes into the Masters of Chicken Scratch series.

Tribute Painting for Tom Medley

October 2010

Fritz recently created a tribute painting for the reknown photographer, artist, cartoonist (creator of the ingenious character Stroker McGurk), writer, and former publisher of Rod & Custom, Tom Medley. His depiction of a portrait of Tom being brushed by Stroker was presented artist-to-artist at the recent 'Shindig' at the Wally Parks NHRA Museum in Pomona. There was hardly a dry eye in the house. The image of the artwork can be seen on the cover of the January 2011 issue of Rod & Custom.

Fritz garners his fifth Best of Show at Pebble Beach

August 2010

Tom is among several of the Automotive Fine Art Society's artists to be awarded the prestigious Peter Helck Award at the AFAS Premiere Exhibition at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. In fact, he is now the only artist to have won the award for an unprecedented fifth time! Tom's first Helck Award came in 1997 for "What Is Good For Young Bulls", the second in 1998 for "Evening Riders" (which also marked the first time an artist won the award two years in a row), the third in 2003 for "Taking Artistic License", the fourth in 2007 for "A Little Ahead of Schedule", and the fifth in 2010 for his oil-on-canvas entitled "Stone Hooked." The painting was introduced at the show. As Fritz relates, "I wanted to create a painting that showed more about who we are than about the vehicle we sit in. I tried to portray the intensity and passion I see reflected in hot rodders."

Tom Creates Iconic Imagery for Deuce of Spades Film

April 2010

Long a favorite of Producer/Director Faith Granger, Fritz was enlisted to bring into play his distinctive style and create two powerful pre-release posters evoking the gritty passion in her soon-to-be-released movie, "Deuce of Spades". "Johnny Callaway" and "Last Race" are the first two in a much-anticipated series of images. As these are the earliest signature images of the film, these works are now part of the film's iconography and history – just as important in some respects as the film itself. For fans who appreciate what poster art means, a limited quantity of posters signed by Tom, Faith, and actor Timothy Luke are available. See the "Posters" page on Tom's website for more information.

"Layin' Down Some Oil" at Barrett-Jackson

January 2010

Tom was recently caught slashin' and thrashin' in his booth at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. See what you missed here: Caught In The Act - Online review

Harley-Davidson Commission

Autumn 2009

Tom received a commission by Harley-Davidson to paint the cover of the Harley-Davidson 2009 Genuine Motor Accessories and Genuine Motor Parts Holiday Guide.

"Screaming Banshee"

Autumn 2009

Tom's celebrated image of the legendary Malcolm Smith, entitled "Screaming Banshee", has been released on a limited edition Troy Lee Designs/SE2 Malcolm Smith Replica Helmet. Click on over to: Helmet

Bob Drake Catalog

June 2009

Bob Drake enhanced the cover of his 2009 parts catalog with Fritz's artwork, "Lookin' For That Old Time Religion", and included an extraordinary review on the inside rear cover.

Over My Shoulder... Making Hot Rod Art

September 27, 2008

This start-to-finish look "over Tom's shoulder" as he created the painting "Quick Sombish" has become a popular read. From reference collection, to on-canvas revisions, to final licks, watch Fritz pull an image from his dreams. Be sure to leave a comment! Click on over to: Hot Rod Art

Looking Into Tom's Past

Autumn 2008

Fritz was asked to pen an article about himself for the first issue of Benchrace Speed E-zine. So one evening, he dropped his brush and banged out an episode that happened to him in the eighth grade, in a boring social experiment we'll call "Drafting class". Find out why folks hand him tubes of "Flicks" candy when he appears at shows. Click on over to: Story

Press

January 17, 2009

Article about Tom's work in Budd Davisson's online blog - "Meet Tom Fritz: He Portrays Good Times, Long Gone". Scroll down to his 17 Jan 09 entry. Article

Press

July 3, 2008

Article about Tom's work in Ken Rockwell's online blog - "How To Create A Masterpiece". Article

Press

July 1, 2008

Tom's work featured in video review of Velocity Art Show. Video

Press

June 22,2008

Article about Tom's paintings in "The Zen of Neato" online blog. Review

AMA Gains A Slot On The Easel

Summer 2008

Fritz was selected by the American Motorcyclist Association to create artwork for this summer's AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days event in Lexington, Ohio. Entitled "Knowin' What's What", his original artwork depicting Gene Romero astride his 750cc Triumph Trackmaster will be auctioned off at the event, with proceeds going to the AMA.

New H-D Commemorative

Summer 2008

Tom proudly introduces his latest work, "10-8". This is the only Harley-Davidson licensed Fine Art Offering celebrating 100 years of Harley-Davidson Police Motorcycles. "I was honored to be asked to create an iconic image depicting the distant ends of this evolution. Not only am I intrigued by the technological advancements in the motor, com, and the officer's uniform, armor, and weapon, but I'm also acknowledging the special connection an officer has always shared with the duty bike." Fritz added, "In a sense, they're a team; they're partners." Reproduced as a very limited giclée print on canvas, they are available framed with an engraved commemorative plate.

"Hot Rod - Art Inspired By The Culture"

July 2008 College of the Canyons Art Gallery

The College of the Canyons hosted this exhibition, which brought together works from five of Hot Rodding's southern California artists. Fritz's work was showcased along with Coop, Kent Bash, Robert Williams, and Thom Taylor.

"At A Hunnert Mile" in Geico commercial

May 2008

It's confirmed! That is Fritz's Harley-Davidson licensed "Century Collection" image, "At A Hunnert Mile", making its appearance in a recent Geico television commercial. The studio recently received numerous reports from viewers who recognized the artwork.

Tom Debuts Two New Works

Barrett-Jackson, January 2008

Tom will introduce his newest oils, "Making Their Way" (those good ol' Duke boys straight'nin' a curve in the "General Lee"), and "Ain't No Scrap Heap" (a dose of cool with a wind blown war-horse).

Tom's Work Published as Official Holiday Image

Road & Track Magazine, December 2007

Fritz's "Taking The Sleigh For A Spin" was published in the "PS" section of Road & Track Magazine's December 2007 issue, and is the cover image of their Holiday card. With this mischievous depiction of a 1960 Aston Martin DB4 GT goosin' it through a turn, it is evident that Tom continues to indulge his hideous addiction.

Fritz Awarded Best Of Show at 2007 AFAS Premiere Exhibition

Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, August 18, 2007

Tom was thrilled to have been announced the winner of his fourth Peter Helck Award at the Automotive Fine Arts Society's Premiere Exhibition Reception for his oil entitled, "A Little Ahead Of Schedule". The dramatic composition with strong technical skill of the winning painting was a crowd pleaser. Speaking about his award, Fritz said, "Overall, I was impressed by the diversity and quality of my colleague's artworks in this show. The selection process is by no means easy, and I found myself up against very powerful talent." Tom added, "Exhibitions of this nature really push me to continue to pursue unconventional approaches in order to express my personal vision." Read more about this from AutoWeek.

Tom is Featured Artist in Automotive Fine Art Journal

Automotive Fine Art Journal, Vol.19, No. 33

In this issue, O'Ceip Cimota spends some time kicking around with the artist in his studio. Not only appreciative of the time Tom spent sharing his knowledge, but the author found the artist to be dedicated, determined, and was amused by his wonderfully witty outlook on life. He adds, "His supreme interpretive abilities and candid insights open our eyes to the world of American Hot Rodding. He's the genuine article for the job."

"A Little Ahead Of Schedule" Featured

The Robb Report, August 2007

"A Little Ahead Of Schedule", Tom's compelling depiction of a '32 Ford roadster and a 4-8-4 Baldwin Locomotive appears in an article featuring the Automotive Fine Arts Society (AFAS) Premeire Exhibition at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

Tom's Work Featured

The World Of Rods, Vol. 1, No. 2

Check out "Rodder's Art" on page 94.

"Like Bats Outta Hell" is Focal Point at Deuce Day 2007

Petersen Museum, Los Angeles, CA

"Like Bats Outta Hell" was selected to serve as the backdrop to the stage at this historic celebration of the 75th anniversary of the 1932 Ford. The visual impact of the 10' x 20' image was significant.

Tom's Work Making a Global Impact

February / March 2007

Tom's artwork is really starting to make a global impact. In addition to licensing six of his images to Harley-Davidson Japan for a marketing campaign, Tom has entered into an agreement to feature his works in Harley-Davidson concept stores in Brazil, indicating that the worldwide exposure to Tom's work is increasing substantially.

Hop Up Magazine

Tom's image, "Wanna Wait It Out...In There?" is the cover of Hop UP Issue 8. The cover is now available as a poster from Hop Up Magazine.

"Coming Home"

The August 1996 Street Rodder Magazine cover bearing Tom's commemorative image for the "Return to Muroc" appeared on the wall of "Most Significant Magazine Covers" at the Petersen Museum's Deuce Day Event in late February 2007. This cover marked the second instance where SRM featured artwork on their cover.

Noteworthy Quotes

Shows for 2012

• Barrett-Jackson Auction, Scottsdale, AZ, Jan. 15 thru Jan. 22
• Grand National Roadster Show, Fairplex in Pomona, CA, Jan. 27 thru Jan. 29
• L.A. Roadster Show, Fairplex in Pomona, CA, June 16 & 17
• AFAS Premiere Exhibition, Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Pebble Beach CA, August 18 & 19