Lou Gunstone: Too Good to Scrap

Summary

Lou Gunstone, a digital artist with a passion for cars, reflects on the emotional connection people have with everyday vehicles and expresses concern over the decline of "old bangers" due to modern car buying trends and environmental policies, while also considering the potential for electric vehicles to develop character.

Abstract

Lou Gunstone's digital art focuses on the nostalgia and personal connections associated with mundane, everyday cars rather than supercars. He reminisces about his childhood memories with his father's red Mk3 Ford Escort, emphasizing the importance of these experiences over the vehicles themselves. Gunstone transitioned from traditional to digital media due to practical reasons, developing a style he shares as Gunstone Art. He laments the disappearance of classic cars from UK roads, attributing it to government policies and changing consumer habits, including the rise of electric vehicles. Despite this, he remains optimistic that modern cars will gain personality through daily use and that the spirit of driving and adventure will persist. His portfolio aims to evoke fond memories of past vehicles, showcasing a range of work that reflects his inclusive philosophy towards cars and life.

Opinions

Gunstone values the emotional significance of everyday cars, which are often overlooked in favor of supercars.
He believes that the memories associated with cars are more important than the cars themselves.
The artist is concerned about the decline of classic cars due to emissions tax and scrappage schemes.
He is skeptical about whether modern electric vehicles can have the same personality as older cars but is hopeful that they will acquire character over time.
Gunstone's work is not just about showcasing the newest and best pieces but reflects a broader appreciation for all vehicles and their stories.

Lou Gunstone on ‘Too Good to Scrap’

I suppose it’s the love of travel and freedom which draws me towards cars. The memories of fun-filled family days out. Chances are that most people could tell you the car that their Mum or Dad drove them around in. In my case, my Dad had a red Mk3 Ford Escort with a metallic green rear door on one side. This looked absolutely rubbish but meant that we could always find it in the car park.

When I think about it, I always remember the slightly scratchy fabric covering the back seats and the noise the winder used to make when rolling down the window. Or that particularly warm summer when it overheated on M48 on the way home from Drayton Manor theme park. We were forced to eat ice cream at a service station while the poor car cooled down. These memories are often more important than the vehicles themselves. They get amplified in our minds, take on their own characters and become part of the family.

I make digital paintings of cars and it’s been my main artistic focus for a number of years. You won’t see me create many paintings of super cars. The vehicles that interest me the most are the ones that were used everyday. The one’s that undertook long commutes, the city runabouts and family transport.

I started drawing and painting vehicles when I was a young child and I’ve continued to do that throughout my life. Previously, I was a fan of using physical media to create my art. Mostly pens, ink and acrylic paint. I always preferred creating sketchbooks to making larger scale ‘finished’ pieces of art. Overall speed and not focusing on an end goal was how I liked to work. This continued for several years.

Things had to change in 2013 due to me moving away from home and renting a small flat in Bristol with my now fiancée. Money and space was tight so I started to tentatively explore digital painting using a graphics tablet. After much practice and experimentation I developed a style that I was content with. As my confidence with the tablet and the software grew, I started to share this work under the name of Gunstone Art as a way to promote my work on social media.

That brings us up to the present day.

‘Old bangers’ are becoming a rare sight on UK roads. Many of these interesting old vehicles would still be rolling around today if were not for some government policies such as emissions tax and various scrappage schemes. In general, we Brits are now more likely to buy cars on PCP or finance rather than going for something cheaper. The sales of Electric and Hybrid Electric vehicles are also rising rapidly in the UK. So, I believe we’ll see less classic and retro cars being driven around in the near future. In a way this makes me sad.

Can a more modern, specifically an electric, vehicle have a personality? At this point in time it’s hard to say. I think that as these cars get used daily they will develop their own character and will be anthropomorphised by their owners. People will grow fond of their quirks. As long as there is car ownership there will be the spirit of driving and adventure.

My aim with this series was to showcase a wide range of work from my portfolio. Not just cherry-picking the newest and the best works — this reflects my attitude to cars and to life in general. Hopefully, the energy I felt whilst creating this work ‘rubs-off’ and makes you think fondly about an ‘old banger’ that you or your parents used to drive.