All he need’s…
First idea: Definitely make it a “work vehicle”…make the chicks think that this is your “work car”…make sure it looks like you are actually being hired by people though. i.e. cover up rust, etc. In this economy, a man with a job is an attractive thing these days…
Second Idea: Put a hybrid symbol on the back, convert it to run on restaurant grease, paint it with your best work and watch the CA envirogeeks follow…
If Craig is really interested in attracting shallow women I suggest he paint the most delicious looking chocolates. Split open chocolate cherries, cake and ice cream, eclairs and other yummy confections. Em-blazed with glistening letters “SUGAR DADDY” on the sides. That should attract the hungry gold-diggers. If that doesn’t work out he can moonlight selling candy and donuts on side streets like the ice cream vans? Put in a window and offer free samples to good looking women.
If you can pull off making a van interesting, and even sexy, then you’ve got my attention. Here’s a van that definitely does it for me…interesting and ecletic, but clean…
I agree - painting the van is the way to go. I’d say he needs to pick one or two of his best murals and duplicate them on the van with the name of his business. Maybe even a full car decal (like my sister’s - she advertises “Le Pooch” wherever she goes) would look sharp. Craig could have free advertising - personally and professionally!
i, too (yes, a card-carrying female) am an artist/sign painter/mural artist. in my heart, i’m driving a little red two-seater convertible, but for art fair equipment hauling (plus hauling chicken feed and bales of hay for my mini-farm) i drive a dodge minivan. i love the feeling of driving a compact car, in the cab (i am only 5’2") and the 4-cyl. economy, but yet having all that cargo space behind me. my quite macho carpenter drives one for the same practical reasons: cargo space but economy. i agree with one of the commenters on this and in previous discussions, that women aren’t nearly as impressed by what a man drives as men think they are – muscle car, schmuscle car! and as long as you make it clear it’s your WORK vehicle, everyone will understand it’s a practical vehicle, not one for showing off. i think most women are more impressed with the fact that you HAVE a job, are responsible enough to be self-employed (and trust me, EVERYONE is impressed by an “artist”) than what you drive, as long as it’s not a beat-up wreck, which would show you haven’t got the where-with-all to have a decent job and decent ride. i never thought of painting something on the side of mine, but since that’s the obvious answer for you, why not paint a nice version of one of your murals, almost finished, with a self-portrait/characature of YOU, paintbrush in hand, off to the side, finishing it? with the name of your business, it identifies it as your work vehicle (and again, and IMPRESSIVE type of work) and is therefore also deductible. (assuming you make enough money to PAY taxes and worry about deductibles…i don’t, but i’m the poorest and happiest person i know!) you would not only attract women, but advertise your business, with a sample readily visible! ps – keep me in mind if you still haven’t found any women! maybe we could “collaborate” !
jp
Craig’s Minivan…is it new or is it up for restoration? I love the idea of painting the Ferrari image on the van- couple that with a black lab and he’ll have a great time. Most women groove on a great sense of humor.I just finished helping restore a '71 Westphalia camper for a client who wants to take his sons camping. Before we began, I told him of my own travels across country with my husband & 4 children under 6 in a VW camper from Lowell to San Diego in 1966!! I drove VW vans with 2 black labs for 20 years after we got to California.
OK, here we go. Take a page from the Cadillac Escalade or the Hummer. You minivan needs a black laguar paint job, a fine (Nardy?) wooden steering wheel, saddle-colored leather seats, a burled=wood dash and door panels. And for the coup-de-grah (sp?) add 2 polished chrome bumpers and a magnificent chrome front grill (find a big ass grill and slap it on the front). I’m sure there are more items to chrome (door hinges), etc… People will gasp as he drives in amazement and wonder who makes it.
I’d look twice and smile. Can tell everyone it is a custom made car.
Craig, my man, I know with your aesthetic eye can pull this off.
Dawn
I think he should paint his van like the Starship Enterprise from Star Trek. Then, he can complete the look by making the interior look just like the Bridge! Every Trekkie girl in the world will swoon and there’s plenty of us in California!!
Steampunk. Old bronze and brass gears and mechanics (the machines not the guys).
He’s an artist and he’s looking for a friend who has artistic sensibilities. Painting the mini-van with a mural of lovely flowers would show that he appreciates beautiful things and would demonstrate his sensitive side. Incorporating his logo and some advertising info would show that he’s got a job, which is a definite check in the “plus” column. Good luck, Craig!
Maureen
Auburn, CA
Paint a logo on the side of the van, for Craig’s Carpentry and Part-Time Puppy Rescue. OR, paint it red, attach a ladder, and pretend you’re a fireman.
Paint it to look like a van used by musicians. Music is sexy.
He could paint it up to look like a pickup truck with stuff in the back. Some of the stuff could be magnetic, so he could move it around and change it.
This.