Motoring art: Jacqueline Davies

By Mick Walsh

| 18 Oct 2024

Classic & Sports Car – Motoring art: Jacqueline Davies

Vintage hot rods have inspired some fun artwork.

The early years were captured by Gus Maanum’s classic sketches and Tom Medley’s cartoons; British artist Jacqueline Davies continues that tradition with an evocative range of prints and fashion designs.

Using a rich palette of colours, Jacqueline celebrates brilliantly the age of lakesters, chopped customs and Googie architecture.

A commission for the long-established Gaters SCTA hot-rod club, by artist Jacqueline Davies

There’s no artistic tradition in the Davies family, but Jacqueline’s parents always encouraged her creative pursuits.

“From an early age I loved drawing,” she says.

“My mum and dad were a big influence, and I adored the stories of their early days in Liverpool, when Dad was a Teddy Boy.

“I was lucky to have good art teachers all through my school days. Walt Disney and The Jetsons were inspiring, too.”

A 1932 Ford roadster features in this commission for Rolls & Pleats magazine

Jacqueline studied print and textiles at Liverpool School of Art & Design, and mid-century designers became a key influence.

“Discovering the work of Charles and Ray Eames, and Lucienne Day, was a key moment,” she recalls.

“I was also fascinated by the American Pop Art scene, particularly the work of Jackson Pollock and Jasper Johns.

“We were lucky to have Jamie Reid, the Sex Pistols’ designer, as a tutor.”

ERA ‘Remus’-inspired design featured on a dress displayed at Goodwood Revival (left); Halloween art

Eventually, Jacqueline got into the 1980s rockabilly scene.

“Trips to Hemsby for the Rock ’n’ Roll Weekenders introduced me to classic cars and vintage hot rods, which I started to include in my poster artworks,” she recalls.

“My first trip to America in 2001 really focused on the local car culture, in particular the vintage drag racing at Bakersfield.

“The people there were all so friendly.”

This Pendine Sands event T-shirt logo features a 1927 Model T roadster-inspired design

Jacqueline has always enjoyed researching a new subject, and the library of her partner (and Vintage Hot Rod Association frontman) Neil Fretwell is a constant source of inspiration: “I still sketch and paint, but now I use Procreate for print and fabric designs.

“It made life easier for Neil, who was always cleaning up my artworks when moving from paper and canvas to digital at the printing stage.”

In 2011, Neil got a call from a Pendine community councillor about hosting an event, and it was the seed for a new speed weekend on the local beach.

A visit to a Jaguar rally at Bicester Heritage prompted this XK120 artwork

The pair’s lives became absorbed in planning and running the wonderful Pendine Sands Hot Rod Races, and, naturally, Jacqueline’s talent was channelled into promoting it with poster, print and T-shirt designs.

“It’s a weekend of pure escapism,” she says. “The beach is like a blank canvas, upon which this amazing event is staged.

“Similar to an art installation, it is magically washed away by the tide.

“Organising the weekend [now in its 11th year] really takes over our lives.”

Limited-edition ‘Flat out’ print by artist Jacqueline Davies (left); retro camping scene

The international interest in the Pendine event has even tempted some Californian dry-lakes racers to Wales.

That in turn has led to several private commissions for Jacqueline’s work, including from the USA and Australia.

Classic cars have also featured regularly.

In 2024, a trip to a Jaguar rally at Bicester Heritage inspired a XK120 print, while at September’s Goodwood Revival she launched a female racer-inspired dress design, shown on the What Katy Did stand.

See jacquelinedaviesart.com or @jacquelinedavies.art on Instagram

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