Artist Merges Bold Brushstrokes & Dramatic Colors Capturing the Romance of Road-Royalty, Well-designed Vehicles

Lynne Kornecki
Sep 3
2 min read

BLAZING THROUGH THE BOULEVARD oil by Eric Anderson....Scroll down to view more of Eric's art...

Mechanically minded artist, Eric Anderson, loves painting cars in oils --- his preferred medium. He’s never taken a class and is entirely self-taught, yet he’s crafted an incredible stylistic approach – abstract realism -- that not only captures the car’s inherent speed but also its lustrous design.

“Inspired by the engineering marvels of automobiles, I strive to highlight their elegance and strength through vibrant colors and dynamic compositions,” Eric explains. “I want people to see cars not just as machines, but as works of art.”

Growing up around cars undoubtedly fostered this artistry. His father owned gas stations giving him an up close and personal view of cars from the inside out. He recalls that as a kid he hated gas stations, but fast forward and he realized just how much he learned during his youth.

“I’ve always loved classic cars and initially started painting them as old and rusty,” Eric says. “I posted some in online art competitions and was soon contacted for a commission by an art gallery in Hawaii to paint high-end cars like a Porsche or Maserati for their clients.”

Does he have a favorite car?

“I love all American cars from the 1940s up to the 1960s,” he says. “The most challenging parts of painting them, besides the design aspect, are the fenders and the wheels. Getting those angles right can be tricky, along with little technical details such as head light shapes or logo emblems, and body lines. Trying to nail all these nuances is important to get it just right.”

And what about capturing reflections cast from the polished chrome, especially of a classic car?

“This may sound odd, but I was sitting in San Francisco traffic in 1991 when I looked at the vehicle next to me glinting in the sunlight,” he recalls. “I saw how the sun created a reflection through light and shadow and suddenly it just clicked inside me, and that’s how I paint anything that’s shiny.”

Each painting captures the elegance, power, and exhilaration of iconic automobiles—Bugatti, Ferrari, Porsche, Maserati, Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, and more. His energetic compositions combine realism with abstraction, evoking speed, nostalgia, and admiration. Prices range from $700 to $3,000 for pieces that measure anywhere from 8" x 10" to 3-ft x 4-ft.

Eventually this busy artist, who also works a day job, would like to fully transition into full-time art. Looks like he’s well on his way.

MEET ERIC AT THE OPENING RECEPTION OF HIS UPCOMING SHOW: "DRIVEN BY DESIGN: Oil Paintings of Luxury Automobiles" at THE BLUE MOON GALLERY, 18620 BELVIDERE ROAD, GRAYSLAKE, IL SEPTEMBER 20, 2025, FROM 6-9 pm. His work will be exhibited there through October 25, 2025.

Eric is also presenting an Artist Talk on September 27 during gallery hours

OPEN: Saturdays 1-4 PM.

Learn more about Blue Moon Gallery here: Blue Moon Gallery