Pete Millar, best known for his hot rod and drag racing comics of the 1950s and 1960s, will be featured in the newest installment of the Petersen Automotive Museum's Art Wall.
Mr. Millar had no other desire in life than to be a cartoonist. From a young boy, Millar was inspired by cartoon character's detail in MAD Magazine. This fascination with cartoons and drawing often found Pete Millar in trouble for completing school work via cartoons. Millar continued to draw cartoon strips in the Army Air Force and spots of cartoons for Convairs Engineering, where he was employed as a mechanical engineer. His desire to pursue cartooning full time led him to quit his engineering job to chance a career as a freelance cartoonist. This brave choice led to Millar creating Rod and Custom's famous cartoon mascot, Arin Cee, and overseeing the creation and development of CARtoons Magazine. He went on to begin his own publication, DRAGCartoons. Pete Millar's cartooning style defined an era of Southern California car culture, and ultimately led to these publications becoming highly collectible. Mr. Millar continued his passion for cartooning and legendary sense of humor until his death in 2003. His legacy lives on and is introduced to new fans through the devotion of his widow Orah Mae Millar and daughter Robin Millar.
The exhibit will juxtapose Mr. Millar's artwork with the legacy of the Southern California car culture and its impact on American life in the 1950s through 1970s.
The Artwork of Pete Millar opens November 12, 2011 and runs through April 29, 2012. The exhibit is included in the cost of museum admission.
The Petersen Automotive Museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Boulevard (at Fairfax) in Los Angeles. Admission prices are $10 for general admission adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for military and students with ID, and $3 for children ages 5 to 12. Museum members and children under five are admitted free. Covered parking is available for $2 per half hour with an $8 maximum for Museum visitors. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm. For general Museum information, call 323/930-CARS or visit the Museum's Web site at: www.petersen.org.