News

We at McCrea & Associates are deeply saddened at the tragedy that occurred last Friday during the Reno Air Races. In response to the reckless and ugly press coverage that exploded Friday night, these pictures from 2010, what some call heroic, happily drew attention from more discerning media editors. CNN called us that terrible night. Gus allowed them broadcast use of the images at no charge for a 24-hour period in order to allow the public to see the Jimmy Leeward he'd seen.
Gus had grown to greatly admire Mr Leeward after observing Jimmy's heroic performance during the three races he ran on Saturday last year. Late into the day Jimmy and his crew worked on their beloved Mustang, The Galloping Ghost. Few men of any age would be capable of full day of the long 3-4g pressures, the heat and buffeting from low-level flights at speeds approaching 500mph. Jimmy did it.
Earlier in 2011 in a pitch to Discovery Channel Gus had described the Races as a 'chariot race in the...

Port Hueneme, July 2011 - A last minute invitation drama has announced the presentation of Photo-Impressionist Gus McCrea to the roster of Featured Artists at the 2011 Malibu Festival of the Arts. Said to be the most prestigious art show in the United States, the show opens at 10am Saturday July 30th at the Malibu Chamber of Commerce property 23555 Civic Center Drive, Malibu, adjacent to the famous 'Malibu Colony'. Show continues through Sunday.

McCrea & Associates Gus McCrea has opened his '2011 Chino Air Show Gallery' at Fine Art America. The series features both straight and photo-impressionist renderings of the tremendous array of vintage aircraft the Show organizers, Planes of Fame foremost among them, put into the air despite
a bit of weather. Enjoy!

Fine Art Photographer Gus McCrea of Port Hueneme, California (See mccreaimages.com) has made what is believed to be a record sale for artwork generated from the National Championship Air Races, or Reno Air Races. The picture "Major Heather 'Lucky' Penney and L-29 'Raju Grace' , Reno Debut 2010" is reported to have sold in the "solid to high four figures" in a Rights Attached sale. An as yet undisclosed investor group were the buyers.

A Photo-Impressionist work by SoCal photographer Gus McCrea sold today for what is believed to be a record sum for images from the Reno Air Races.
The work, 'Major Heather 'Lucky' Penney and Raju Grace, Debut 2010' depicts Penney in her orange L-29 racing jet "Raju Grace' set like a bird of prey at the end of Reno/Stead Field's runway, ready for takeoff. The purchase was made by an as-yet undisclosed buyer for "somewhere in the high end of four-figures."
'This is may be an historic moment," gruffed McCrea, "First for Heather, first for her jet, Team Air Race 21, Deane and Raju and the guys. Hell, its my first time at Reno too! "
Asked how he felt about the money, McCrea said, "Hell, who don't like money! Now I can pay off my bills from the trip! But really, this is a big moment for all the great shooters out there. If a work rises to the level of art in the buyer's eyes, then it should be sold as art, the same as art, and at a proper price. And like an original...

Gus McCrea has taken notice of the too frequently overlooked contributions of the T-6 Racing Associations entries to The Reno Air Races and released a series of fine art prints celebrating the group. See McCrea's Reno Air Races and More gallery at gus-mccrea.artistwebsites.com.

Gus McCrea has dared to make his mark on the most photographed aircraft in the world, Rod Lewis' Grumman F8F Bearcat 'Rare Bear' with Pilot John Penney at the National Championship Air Races 2010. The Fine Art rendering is a capture of the Rare Bear burning a turn around Reno/Stead Field and toned in the darkroom for a new look. A Limited Edition of only 20 dated & signed canvases or archival prints will b sold in sizes specified by the buyers. Here's to Reno 2011 !. Good luck, Gus!

Gus McCrea has released a second portrait of air racing legend Jimmy Leeward and his P-51 Mustang 'The Galloping Ghost' at the 2010 Reno Air Races. The artwork was developed at the end of Saturday's racing when Leeward and his beautifully modified World War II era fighter fought their way through several classes in order to qualify for Sunday's Unlimited Gold competition : A throwdown between the 50-something Leeward and then-current Champion, the twenty-something Steve Hinton and his mount, the P-51 Mustang 'Strega'. As the late-summer sun went down Leeward and the Ghost were finally finishing the day, test runs at 7pm, to do a final tune-up for Sunday's Race. Alas, the Race that was Not To Be, gale-force winds cancelling the classic event. Until 2011 !
McCrea's art is available at fineartamerica.com

Remington Award winning outdoor photographer Gus McCrea has now at released his 2010 collection of fine art photography at fineartamerica.com.
This new partnership will make McCrea's work available to a worldwide audience previously unable to see McCrea's special treatment of aviation, landscape, western and personal themes that have thrilled viewers for years. McCrea is an innovator as well. Look for his 'photo-impressionist' series.
These are pictures shot in-camera using lens characteristics to create an effect that makes the photograph present like a painting. Some refuse to believe a camera was involved! The horse is also one of Gus' great loves. And aircraft. Big or small, be it a P-51 Mustang or a Pitts Racer, Gus loves 'em!

So come visit gus-mccrea@fineartamerica.com ! We'll have fun!