Observations and stories of art and creative energy exchanges.

I Paint What I See

When I was just a kid, my family moved frequently, so I attended several different schools in various locations across America, including a few in the vibrant city of Phoenix, where I currently reside. At one of the schools during my formative years, I was fortunate to encounter a genuinely memorable teacher who inspired and motivated me at an early age. My fourth-grade teacher’s simple but profound gesture embedded a life-long lesson that has significantly shaped my focus on my art and creativity.

A.D. Cook February 6, 2025

Momentum’s Extended Stay at the National Corvette Museum

I’m excited to share that while the LUSTER Automotive Art Exhibit wrapped up and moved on to its next venue, my Corvette diptych paintings celebrating America’s Sports Car remain at the National Corvette Museum for a six-month extended stay.

A.D. Cook February 5, 2025

Las Vegas Brewing News: February 2025

Aces & Ales Evolve Brewing, Chris Jacobs Beer Zombie birthday, CraftHaus Brewery, Ahern Hotel, the Craft Beverage Passport Program, two Beer Events on Super Bowl Saturday, and more from Bob Barnes.

Bob Barnes February 3, 2025

LUSTER Update 2025 ~ Lake Charles and Beyond

LUSTER arrived in culturally rich Lake Charles, Louisiana. LUSTER is an exhibit dedicated to the raw beauty of cars and motorcycles, captured in extraordinary detail. This art collection focuses on the things we admire, showcasing the lines, textures, and craftsmanship that make these machines timeless. Each piece invites you to appreciate the engineering and design in a way that’s as real as it gets.

A.D. Cook February 1, 2025

Lexie’s Bistro

The newly opened Lexie’s Bistro set within the Ilumina Residential Resort Community is filling a void for upscale dining for the Inspirada, Anthem and Seven Hills neighborhoods in West Henderson.

Bob Barnes January 13, 2025

East Valley Cruisers Friday Cruise-In • January 10, 2025

Friday, January 10th, marked my seventh visit to the East Valley Cruisers Cruise-In in Mesa, AZ. These shows keep improving with more cars each week.

A.D. Cook January 11, 2025

LUSTER Exhibit at Corvette Museum, March 15, 2024 - Jan 5, 2025

2025 LUSTER Update

With 2024 at a close, the LUSTER Art Exhibition showcasing realism and hyperrealism in contemporary automobile and motorcycle paintings featuring fifteen artists and sixty artworks, which opened on March 15th, 2024, has ended at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, this past Sunday, January 5th. As the Corvette Museum packs up the exhibit and its accompanying artworks, I am excited to share that the LUSTER Exhibit will travel to two well-known museums this year.

A.D. Cook January 6, 2025

Gilbert Cars & Coffee, Gilbert, AZ

After enjoying a few hours at Highline Cars and Coffee on the far side of town, I decided to trek a few miles south for the Gilbert Cars & Coffee, which I hadn’t been to since early November. While I arrived a bit late for the full crowd, vehicles of every design were on hand at the Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers (aka CBCB), formerly the Famous 66 American Tavern at 1026 S. Gilbert Rd. in Gilbert, AZ.

A.D. Cook January 5, 2025

Highline Autos Cars & Coffee at High Street

I’ve been to many car shows over the years, but this is one of the few events that I will remember vividly for quite a while. The Highline Autos Cars & Coffee car show at High Street in Phoenix exceeded my expectations and brought me far more joy and excitement than I ever hoped to experience.

A.D. Cook January 5, 2025

Happy New Year 2025

What a truly fantastic year it has been. It has memories and experiences that will stay with me forever. With 2024 behind us and a fresh and promising year ahead of us, I believe it’s truly worthwhile to take a moment to reflect on and look back on the past twelve months. As I consider everything I’ve experienced, I can’t help but think about all the challenges I’ve faced and the victories celebrated, which have made this year not just memorable but transformative in many ways.

A.D. Cook January 1, 2025

Buzzed Goat Tempe Car Show

It could not have been a more perfect morning for a car show. The sun was out, and the soft clouds with a gentle haze created ideal photography lighting for the beautiful beasts and sleek rides adorning the parking lot.
Car enthusiasts and hot rodders alike showed up in support of the Hope For The Homeless sock drive and the Tempe Cars & Coffee gathering on Saturday, December 28th, from 8 AM to 10 AM at The Buzzed Goat Tempe.

A.D. Cook December 29, 2024

Las Vegas Brewing News: January 2025

Two Beer Events on Super Bowl Saturday, CraftHaus Comrade Day, Ahern Hotel SUPER BEER Festival, Whats’ pouring in January at HUDL, Lovelady, Triple 7, and more Las Vegas brewing news from Bob Barnes.

Bob Barnes December 29, 2024

Posts & Updates

Observations and stories of art, love, cars, and creative energy exchanges.