“We just wanted to basically showcase art in a different way, show what the industry can really do.”

It’s not a medium that Monet, Matisse, or Magritte might have recognized, but Florida artist Kurt Meister is unique in that an original painting of his was used for a recent vehicle wrapping project undertaken by Winter Park, Fla.’s Carbon Wraps at last March’s ISA Sign Expo. If you stopped by Avery Dennison’s booth, you saw Meister’s art being installed on a Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Steve Carney, owner and founder of Carbon Wraps, is a graphic designer by trade. Initially specializing in bread-and-butter design work—business cards, flyers, and brochures—he eventually was introduced to wide-format print work: cut vinyl, vector graphics, and the like. Around 2003, Carney found himself getting involved in vehicle graphics. “The Fast and the Furious kind of kicked it off for customizing vehicles,” he said. “I had to learn how to produce a vehicle wrap.” He began testing various materials and before long both he and his wife Jennifer—who is also an artist—began producing eye-catching vehicle graphics, and launched Carbon Wraps. “We both wrap vehicles together and it’s just a really fun business,” he said. “We take pride in what we do. Everything we do is very meticulous and as perfect as possible. We don't ‘get ’em in and get ‘em out.’ Quality over quantity is our main focus. I think people like that a lot, and it shows in our work.”