Ready for Takeoff

When I saw this delightful 1941 aeroplane pedal car, I knew that no staid, static setting would do. This vehicle deserved action! (Or at least imminent action.) So I constructed a scene as if was designed by a thrill-seeking youngster: stacks of old tool boxes, a ramp at a precarious angle, and a flight-worthy vehicle restrained by one thin piece of twine and a slip knot. I believe that one of the keys to the popular reception of this image is the textural qualities portrayed. From the burnished fuselage of the toy to the glossy painted wheels to the scuffed wood, you have a sense of a tactile reaction to the subjects, even though you are experiencing the work with only your eyes. Crisp, double shadows add to the drama and help create a sense of tension and anticipation - exactly what a young daredevil would feel as they set up this launch site.