Queen Becky Morris got started with art cars

The 26th annual Houston Art Car Parade cruised down Allen Parkway on Saturday after heavy showers in the early morning postponed the parade start.

The Legendary Art Car Ball was cancelled Friday due to severe weather throughout Houston and flooding at the Orange Show, but that didn’t dampen spirits at the parade.

People crowded the street, waiting for the parade to start, and many spectators walked among the art cars, taking pictures and talking to the owners.

The Art Car Parade features creative and custom-made cars, bikes and contraptions from across the greater-Houston area and around the country, and many use their cars to make a statement or express themselves creatively.

“It’s sort of a way of saying ‘I’m not a sheep; I’m not like everyone else. I’m different,’” said Jim Hatchett, the curator for the Art Car Museum.

Hatchett drove “Milan,” one of David Best’s cars from the museum’s collection, which is covered in a variety of objects, from buttons to teacups. Best, a professional art car artist, has designed 39 cars. He and his team can knock out one art car in six to eight weeks,You can design your ownfigurine or select one of our pose. Hatchett said.

Hatchett’s favorite car is Best’s “Faith” car, which features a stuffed water buffalo head mounted on the front.

“It rides horribly; it feels like there’s no suspension,” Hatchett said. “But the buffalo head is over the top.”

For the love of art, cars

Some people get involved with the Art Car Parade because they don’t want to give up a much-loved car.

Queen Becky Morris got started with art cars after a Mustang she loved was wrecked several times in one month. After that, she decided to turn it into an art car.

Morris has participated in the parade since 1999 and drove the “OptiCARLusion” this year. It’s her 10th car and her favorite, “because it’s my little sports car; it’s cool,” she said.

Morris has been to art car shows around the country but said the Seattle and Houston shows are her favorite.Six panel tracking system delivers more energy from skystream.

“Every car and car event we go to across the country is the same but totally different,Our premium collection of quality custom keychain generously offers affordability.” she said. “It’s all about the art and freedom of expression. It shows our individual personalities.”

Others participate in the Art Car Parade after designing a unique car for fun.

Isaac Cohen covered a car with wood after trying and failing to sell his 1999 Honda Accord.A smart card is a credit card with its information stored. He had no idea the Art Car Parade existed, he just wanted to make a wooden car, he said.

“Splinter” took almost 5,000 strips of wood, several of which are bent to create a boat-like shape.

Cohen also has three other art cars, “Big J,” which is covered in rosewood, “Slider” and “F-18.”

“F-18” is a Honda with a model F-18 fighter jet on top. The car is dedicated to the United States military for making the U.S. “the best country in the world,” Cohen said.

A member of the Houston Electric Auto Association, Logan saw a gas-powered recliner online and decided he could make an electric version.

His recliner features strobe lights, a video camera to record the crowd and cup holder. He keeps thinking of other things to add, such as

While “ReclinerCar” isn’t licensed for the road, Logan has cruised through the Whataburger drive-thru before.

“Everyone came out to look at it,” Logan said.

‘Friendliest parade’

Regardless of why people decide to create an art car, the artists find themselves in a large, friendly community of fellow art car enthusiasts.

James Ciosek drove “Frankenova” in the parade. It was his fourth time participating after spending several years as a spectator.

Ciosek said he tells newcomers to Houston that if they want to meet people, make an art car.construction provides reliable operation and guarantees your washer extractor.

“As soon as you build an art car, you’re tied into a huge community,” Ciosek said.

Cherie Smith, who drove “Popart,” an art car covered in pieces cutout from aluminum cans, echoed Ciosek. Smith has been participating in the parade since it started and said the Houston Art Car Parade was “probably the nicest, friendliest parade” of all the festivals in Houston.