SERIES 100: “The search for number ten (#10)”

“WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS”

I looove sport cars…

It was August 2, 2022 and I was just treated to a gorgeous print by my dear friend Billy-Joe. It was an illustration by Simone Massoni, from his “Chicks and Wheels” series. Posed next to a open-topped red racecar that had the number ten (#10) emblazoned on its side, was a alluring feminine figure. Dressed only in red stiletto heels and red “booty shorts”, this topless “provocateur” stood with legs apart and sufficiently away from the racecar… necessitating that she had to bend her entire torso horizontally to reach it. Rendered in side profile, this “human-bridge” was extremely sexy.

In that moment, this illustration became my muse. It was going to inspire one of my creations.

But how?

Being the owner of a gorgeous red Ferrari, my initial thought was to bring the illustration to life. I was going to pose a similarly attired model with my Italian sports car.

But, who would be the topless model?

My initial candidate was Abosede, my partner. She certainly has the physique to realize this concept perfectly.

But, would she agree?

I concluded that, given the nature of her work as a physician, she would likely say “no”.

Then, I thought of a couple other candidates, and similarly dismissed those thoughts. I figured that Abosede would object even more to the idea of a topless female, who is not her, being on my site!

…How about doing it all in 1:18 scale?

Only problem was the thought of purchasing a scantily clad doll… Or undressing a doll…

Those ideas sat less well with me than the idea of working with an actual topless model...

I may never understand why that is the case…

How about juxtaposition? Yes, juxtaposition.

Posing a model car with the illustration.

This was how the quest for a scale model of a red open-topped racecar, emblazoned with #10 and with a brown interior, began.

Initially, I had no success.

There were red Ferrari racecars with #10, but not with both an open top and brown interior…

I forgot about the idea entirely...

Instead, I went on to do other projects…

Eureka!

I found it!

While looking at Ferrari scale models on the “Selections RS” website, I chanced upon the scale model of the Ferrari driven by Italian racer Alberto Ascari in the 1953 Grand Prix of Argentina. It ticked every box! It was inexpensive!

Then, I hesitated…

The project was not as strongly present in my mind as it once was…

Then, the desire came back.

With desire intact, the model was purchased and planning of the shoot began.

It was going to be photographed on my desk at work, where the illustration is currently installed.

But, how about a third subject to work with? Three (3) related objects create beautiful compositions.

How about the “runner-up” Ferrari racecars with #10s on their sides? Certainly.

Wow! A magazine with a red Ferrari #10 racecar on the cover! Wow!

What a pleasant surprise!

This was my reaction in Giuseppe’s office on December 3, 2022 upon seeing the cover of that “Prancing Horse” issue. I explained to him my concept and requested to borrow the magazine. Graciously, he gave it to me.

So, with a little (or alot) of help from my dear friends, this is how we got to this beautiful setting on my desk.

Date: Images Captured On December 23, 2022

Featured Illustration:

This Framed Print Was Generously Gifted To Me By Ms. Billy-Joe Buttery-Banavage On August 2, 2022.

It Is Featured In A Series Of Twelve (12) Illustrations From “Chicks And Wheels” 2010, By Simone Massoni.

Mr. Massoni Is A Freelance Illustrator And Designer, Based In Florence, Italy.

All Twelve (12) Illustrations Were Featured In A Limited Edition Calendar By Italian Printing House, Costi & Poggiali.

Featured Scale Model:

1:18 Scale Model Of Ferrari 500 F2 Formula 1 Winner GP Argentina 1953, Piloted By Alberto Ascari.

The Model Is Manufactured By CMR (Classic Model Replicars).

Featured Magazine:

This Copy Was Generously Gifted To Me By Mr. Giuseppe Porretta, On December 3, 2022.

Mr. Porretta Is The Sales Manager At Ferrari Of Ontario.

It Is The Ferrari Club Of America: PRANCING HORSE, Issue 224 (Third Quarter 2022).

The Cover Image Features Formula One Driver Willy Mairesse Driving A Ferrari 156 F1 “Sharknose” At The 1962 Belgian Grand Prix.

Featured Song:

“With A Little Help From My Friends” By Joe Cocker, Released In April 1969.

Dedicatees:

Ms. Billy-Joe Buttery-Banavage & Mr. Giuseppe Porretta