Joshua Vides views everything in black and white.
With the dexterity of a magician and a penchant for surreal art, the Left Coaster’s creations stand out.
drawing
The focus of funky car enthusiasts everywhere — from the City of Angels to the city that never sleeps.
“I developed this 2D technique that employs black-and-white paint to give a vehicle the appearance of its initial sketch,” explained Vides, a 35-year-old graphic designer hailing from Southern California, to The Post.
Vides adopts his “Reality to Idea” approach to create bold, automobile-based artworks that appear two-dimensional—akin to comic strips from newspapers—and these pieces can require over 200 hours of work spread across about two months, particularly when larger vehicles serve as canvases.
He has now introduced his comic-strip inspired visual puzzles to New York City.
For his “Check Engine Light” exhibition—a complimentary celebration ongoing until Tuesday, May 6, at 16 Morton Street in the West Village—Vides utilized almost ten gallons of black-and-white paint and dedicated over 168 hours to convert a 1995 26-foot long limousine and a 1991 Honda CBR 1000RR motorcycle into visually stunning cartoon-inspired masterpieces.
He has already offloaded the attention-grabbing limo — a $10,000 purchase — to a nearby automobile enthusiast for far more than what he invested in creating it.
sketchy
renovations.
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“It’s quite an extensive journey, yet I feel immensely proud of what I’ve accomplished,” stated Vides, who previously served as a firefighter/EMT in Riverside County, California. In the early 2010s, he left the fire station to dedicate himself fully to his artistic endeavors.
As a married father of three, Vides mentioned that transitioning his career from emergency response to 2D innovation has completely transformed his life for the better.
I feel incredibly lucky to share tales through my artwork,” he exclaimed enthusiastically. “I don’t simply paint any vehicle; each one must hold a special significance for me.
A die-hard fan from the Y2K era, this millennium-born individual acquires functional classic cars—hot rods similar to those seen in some of his cherished movies—and proceeds to remove their initial coat of paint.
coats them with white acrylic
And adorns them with black accents.
His impressive transformation lends each chariot a squashed appearance, but still manages to be dazzling.
For example, to transform the limo into a doodle-style remake, Vides revamped both its interior and exterior using black-and-white hues, along with adding new upholstery, tires, and vibrant lighting.
He decided to refurbish the fancy shuttle at a cost of $3,000, paying tribute to Kevin McCallister’s awesome stretched limo from “Home Alone 2,” a beloved ’90s film that Vides adored watching when young.
“He mentioned that the bizarre makeover took 144 hours to complete over those two weeks,” he stated.
Sticking to an achromatic palette, the pioneer spent an extra $7,000 on skilled upholstery artisans and vehicle detailers. He charged them with crafting interior designs that would complement his black-and-white masterpiece—an arrangement perfect for taking top-notch selfies, naturally.
“People have the option to go inside and capture a photograph or video,” stated Vides, though he also mentioned that the 30-year-old limousine is “too delicate” for leisurely rides through congested streets.
The same applies to his photograph-like bicycle.
“It was actually tougher to paint than the limo,” he said of the early-1990s motorcycle. It’s a hot rod like the two-wheelers seen in the 2002 action thriller “Paid in Full” — another one of Vides’ best-loved blockbusters.
He shelled out $2,000 for the cruiser — only to devote two 12-hour shifts to sand away its initial blazing red finish.
“I had to remove all the panels from the bike and paint them individually,” Vides said, explaining to The Post that painting the whole motorcycle at once might harm its engine and braking system.
“He mentioned painting the panels white, allowing them to dry for 24 hours, then adding the black accents, letting those dry as well,” detailing the meticulous procedure. The last task prior to shipping them across the country involved applying a clear-coat sealer — an invisible protective coating over the car’s surface that safeguards against environmental harm and imparts a shiny finish.”
The expense to transport both cars from Los Angeles to New York City was $5,000.
However, the 2D tastemaker mentioned that creating his artwork isn’t driven by financial gain; rather, it’s about the liberty of expressing himself without reservation.
avant-garde
.
I’m not worried about achieving success or attracting a specific number of attendees to my shows,” Vides emphasized. “What matters most is that I am satisfied with the performances I get to present.
If others enjoy it, that’s simply an added perk.
Joshua Vides’ “Check Engine Light”
runs May 1 through 6 at the Morton St. Partners at 16 Morton St. Garage
.
Free admission.