English artist-photographer sees art in speed

British artist Dave Saunders and his wife Carole have made three trips to Bonneville. A wood stove designer by trade, Saunders does a small number of original acrylic oil on canvas paintings of cars each year. Carole bought Dave a book of Bonneville photos by Peter Vincent and he began photographing cars.

During the “World of Speed” event produced by the Utah Salt Flats Racing Assoc. (www.saltflats.com) the British couple put in long hours with Dave snapping hundreds of photos of the racing cars. Saunders’ wears a plaid shirt, chinos, sunglasses, a floppy hat and an orange Media vest that allows him up-close access to the machines that streak down the salt one after the other.

Back in England, Saunders focuses his camera on cars at car shows. His favorite places to shoot photos are a nearby British drag strip and a number of “old school” hot rod shows, which are as popular in England as they are here.

Saunders is becoming known as Hot Rod Dave. Anyone who wants to stay informed about his latest paintings and photos can email Saunders at hotroddaveart@btinternet.com or phone him at 0753 1618212.