As told to Vic Vreeland
By Artist John Schaeffer


THE TOM CRUISE CORVETTE

Ever since I unveiled my latest acrylic painting in a series, “Celebrity’ Rides,” many have asked; “How were you able to paint Tom Cruise’s red Corvette. Yes, it is THAT Tom Cruise.

Once or twice a year I travel to a city in the USA to attend special car shows. I love to draw and paint the vintage cars. I heard about the annual “Celebrity Car Show” at the Burbank, California Convention Center. I got me a cheap round trip ticket on Southwest Airlines, loaded up a few art supplies and headed west.

I booked a room at the Marriott Hotel which was right next to the Convention Center. I arrived a day early and was able to see the celeb cars arriving in their trailers from my window. I sure was looking forward to the show in the morning.

Car show day: I was up at 6 am and made my way to the “free breakfast” buffet. Had a waffle and washed it down with two cups of coffee. I was ready to go. I walked over to the Convention Center, my art supply cart in tow. I arrived at 7am to witness some of the cars still being positioned in their numbered spots on the concrete. I bet there were more than hundred vehicles. I think Jay Leno had at least ten with a couple of Harleys thrown in to boot.

Believe it or not, I have sketched or photographed many of the vehicles on display in the past, but it was a treat to see those few that I have not done before. For me, actually seeing the vehicle is way more inspiring and educational than just painting from a photo.

I was looking for the “rich and famous” moving from row to row. The caretakers of the vehicles were busy doing last minute prep work. Polishing and dusting each vehicle to reveal the luster of their expensive paint jobs. Jay Leno actually has two smartly dressed full time people taking care of his extensive collection of vehicles. My attention was drawn to the 1977 red Corvette owned by Tom Cruise. I hadn’t had a chance to do a 77 so I got out my folding stool and portable easel and started to sketch this classic.

Since it was early, I was one of the few at the show at the time. I basically had the whole place all to myself. As the morning wore on, a small crowd gathered watching me
sketch the car. I was nearly done when I heard someone in the small crowd say; “That’s lookin pretty good!” I turned to thank the person and sure enough, it was Tom Cruise. He was grinning like a “Cheshire Cat” with that famous smile



of his. I nearly fell off my canvas folding stool. He got closer to me, bent over and in a low voice said; “How would you like a ride in it?”

I said: “Are you kidding, you bet I would” He asked me to meet him at the car after the show. To tell you the truth, I never left the building except to put my art gear in my room.

The show was over at around 5PM and I watched these vintage vehicles being loaded onto their trailers for the trip to the “Stars” homes. It had been a treat to put the different cars with their celebrity owners. I had a touch of nervous excitement mixed with “I wonder if he will remember what he told me.” But I was not to be disappointed as Tom (we were on a first name basis, ya know) strolled up in a pair of jeans and a plaid shirt, tossing the keys to the Vette back and forth between his hands. I swear I heard the theme song to the movie “Top Gun” playing in the back ground. “Highway to the danger zone…………………”

Tom opened the driver’s side door with his key, got in and opened the passenger door and said; “Get in John, we are going for a ride.” I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming but when he fired up the 327 cubic inch V-8, I knew this was real. Tom pointed the red Corvette at the huge doors of the convention center, gave the gas a tap or two, and we were off into the hazy California evening.

We drove San Fernando Road and then onto I5. The traffic was light since it was a weekend. Tom shifted through the syncro-meshed gears like butter. I am sure he nudged the red rocket to the 100 mile per hour mark, but I was having too much fun to notice. We did a big circle I 5 to the 134 to 2 to I 210 to 118 and back on to I 5. The day was perfect as it was unforgettable riding with Tom Cruise. I had no words.

Cruise drove me right to the main entrance of the Marriot where the doorman noticed him and said; “Hello Mr. Cruise.” I mused, had he done this before? Who cares? I told him I would send him a print when the painting was done and if he wanted the painting, I would give him first bid on it. I thought about just giving it to him, after all, he just gave me the ride of my life, right?



Victor R Vreeland
Austin Texas VA Clinic
THE TOM CRUISE CORVETTE

So there you have it, my Tom Cruise, red Corvette story.