– Bob Bahr reporting, Editor PleinAir Today –

Mike Mahon likes the view he gets from on top of his vehicle. So he developed a system to let him paint up there.

Lead Image: Mike Mahon’s truck-top painting platform in action

The Santa Fe pastelist says he thought up this rig to create more plein air painting opportunities. “I can see over high brush on the side of the road. I can get unique angles otherwise not available,” says Mahon. “Anywhere I can park my car, I can paint, which opens up new opportunities, especially on city streets and tight road waysides. One very important aspect, especially when painting alone in remote areas of New Mexico, is that it is difficult for a person or animal to sneak up on me. Even if they do, it would be hard for them to reach me without my awareness. Just saying.”

The platform gives Mahon a nice vantage point.
The platform gives Mahon a nice vantage point.
Mahon’s seat with a view
Mahon’s seat with a view
A closer look at Mahon’s system
A closer look at Mahon’s system

Mahon calls it the Over-the-Top Painting Platform. It fits on the roof of his Ford Explorer, and has hooks that allow him to attach cords with carabiners to keep him and his gear steady up there. “Two diagonal corners have special attachments that allow for attaching my umbrella,” he explains. “The platform is designed so that I can face in any direction and work with my umbrella. I can also stand if needed. I use a telescoping aluminum ladder to get on the roof. I can set up my gear on the roof almost as quickly as I can on the ground. I use it with both my oil and pastel setups.”


2 COMMENTS

  1. Ansel Adams used to use a platform set-up on top of his International vehicle for photographing with his big large format cameras. I tried doing the same with an old Suburban I used to own and it does give one a much larger choice of vantage points! Did the same thing years later on an Astro Mini van but it wasn’t as easy with a narrower roof-top and “tippier” suspension. I have a KIA Sedona now but haven’t tried setting anything up on the roof with it…I’d be curious to see exactly how Mike has adapted to the roof of his vehicle! My sense of balance is not what it used to be so I’d definitely need something sturdy/steady now; haven’t worked from a roof top since the 1990’s.

  2. Thanks, Bob, for article on my roof top painting set up. It’s appropriate that Bruce should mention Ansel Adams. Some of his most famous photos were taken from the roof of his vehicle right here in New Mexico. In fact, during the Santa Fe Plein Air Festival at which these photos of my set up were taken, I painted a scene on the High Road to Taos that Adams made famous many years ago. Another artist drove up and told me about this as I was painting.
    Thanks again,
    Mike

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