David LeFevers, a senior English major at Lenoir-Rhyne, stands next to several of his paintings that are part of the NASCAR Inspired exhibit at the Hickory Museum of Art.

The art of going fast: L-R student’s work on display at Hickory Art Museum

A self-described “gearhead,” David LeFevers combines a love of fast cars with a talent for art. The Newton resident is also a Lenoir-Rhyne College student who expects to graduate in December with a degree in English.

LeFevers, 52, grew up around local racetracks and, like many boys, tried his hand at drawing the cars. He never had formal art lessons, although his mother encouraged his talent. However, LeFevers has been an official artist for the International Motorsports Hall of Fame at Talladega, Ala., since 1995.

Eleven of his paintings are now on display at the Hickory Museum of Art as part of the “NASCAR Inspired” exhibit. The paintings, on loan to the museum, showcase the cars of drivers who have been inducted into International Motorsports Hall of Fame. “NASCAR Inspired” features 70 artists from across the country, as well as Canada and England. The artwork ranges from paintings and blown glass to sculpture — such as metal dresses created from vintage oil cans, and pottery that incorporates actual car parts. “NASCAR Inspired” runs through Sept. 17 and is open to the public free of charge.

Each year the hall of fame inducts a group of racing’s legends, and each year LeFevers is commissioned to paint a picture of a car, boat or motorcycle that best represents each inductee.

He said he wasn’t even aware that he was interviewing for the position when he was chosen. A friend of his, Zack Zarcadoolas, had told the director of the hall of fame about LeFevers’ talent and arranged for them to meet. LeFevers brought some of his paintings and they toured the hall of fame. At the end of the visit, the director said, “You’ve got the job.” That’s when he became aware of what he was agreeing to do.

LeFevers explained that in August of each year he gets a call telling him who the inductees will be. He then has a couple of months to research each honoree and do a painting representing that person’s most famous vehicle. The paintings, in a photo-realistic style, are usually created with acrylic, watercolor and ink. He said he needs more than one medium to get the right look.

The paintings are unveiled in late November, when a press conference is held to announce the inductees chosen for that year. In April, the induction ceremony takes place and LeFevers’ artwork becomes part of that person’s museum exhibit.

LeFevers is modest about his artwork, claiming it is more a result of hard work than talent. “I think most people could do it if they tried,” he said. In addition to working for the hall of fame, LeFevers has been the official artist for Lotus Cars USA, doing illustrations for the company’s print ads.

LeFevers became an artist indirectly. After high school, he joined the Air Force. When he left the military, he realized he needed more education to get a job, but he wasn’t ready for four more years of following orders. Instead, he earned a two-year degree in mechanical engineering technology.  He was hired by Duke Power, where he worked for the next 20 years. For the first five years, he designed piping for the company’s nuclear power plants. He then began creating illustrations for the company’s community presentations and internal training. During this time, he taught himself how to use computers to create the illustrations. He left the company during a period of corporate downsizing.

At loose ends, he began working on vintage race cars with Zarcadoolas. Shortly afterward, his friend died unexpectedly. LeFevers said he was glad he had that time to enjoy their friendship. At that point, LeFevers’ wife, Catherine, suggested that he go back to college to earn a bachelor’s degree. “I’ve always wanted to be a high school English teacher,” he said.

LeFevers said he has enjoyed college life and gets along well with the younger students. His biggest challenge took place when he faced his first test — in Latin. Although he had studied and felt prepared, he said he just froze when the test was handed to him. For a little while he couldn’t think of any of the answers. He was finally able to calm down enough to take the test.

“Once I got past that one — and I didn’t have a heart attack or stroke — I did OK,” he said. After graduation, he’s not quite sure what he will do next, but it will probably be something interesting and creative.

As he said, “I’m not afraid to try most anything.”