"Icy Blu 2"

Owned by Harvey and Karen Zander of St. Paul, MN

This is a working show truck and logs over 3000 miles in most weeks. It's their hard work and Karens attention to detail that allows this truck to win trophy after trophy.

The drivers side is a picture of their grandson playing in the snow making "snow trucks". Harvey and Karen wanted images of trucks they formerly owned and my wife, Mel, came up with the brilliant idea of "snow trucks" which is now a big hit.

The covered bridge in the background came from the paint work done on the original "ICY BLU" done by another artist. Harvey and Karen felt it was part of its image and needed to be incorporated in some way. The children in the paint work, from drivers to passenger side, are on opposite sides of the covered bridge.

Passenger side

The fenders, hood, roof, etc. of the truck is covered with “snow” as if just coming out of a snow storm. The paint used for the snow is a special mixed white pearl that glistens in the sun the way snow does. Along with the rest of the truck, the back fenders are covered in "snow" along with some special prints. On the drivers' side are dog tracks which appear to have been made by the dog in the drivers' side mural. On the passenger side are deer tracks which leads to the deer in the passenger side mural. Doing this allowed me to flow the work from one section of the vehicle to the next making this a true judge favorite.

Above is a picture of their granddaughter ice-skating. Many of the judges have commented on the work done on the trees and the fact that you can see the blade marks in the ice.

The image above is the deptiction of daughter, Tatem Rae, who Harvey lost when she was still very young. She was done in full color but Harvey asked that the image be softened with a halo added. Dupont provided me with a pearl overcoat that matched the color of the cab perfectly. Three dustings later and Tatem's image is very soft and will even disappear from certain angles.

Above is a large flag and map. Harvey and Karen are very active members in the "Trucker Buddy" program. This is where, while on the road, Harvey writes to different classes on his travels and sites where he drives. This information is used by teachers as a learning tool for their students of History and Geography of many areas of the United States. Harvey also tries to visit the schools several times a year so the students can see the truck first hand and even sit in the drivers' seat.