European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 23, 1977, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday june 23, 1977 the stars and stripes Page 9 Mobile artist Story photo by Leah Larkin staff write paint Brush drives a Blue Van whose sides arc decorated with Mountain scenes and whose constant passenger is a Brown Doberman. Paint Brush not Only painted the Van s exterior but also fixed up the Interior As Well paint Brush likes to paint and ski and travel and play a guitar. In the cd world. Tricia Thomas an Illus Trator at the 97th general Hospital in Frankfurt is paint  drawing and painting arc part of her Job in the d-Lo-5 world. But even when not working these Days she is Likely to have a paint Brush in her hand. Not your Ordinary natural bristle variety however. The kind of painting she pursues in her off hours requires a special tool an air Brush. She paints vans with mountains flow ers flames whatever. It All started last August when she saw a painted Van and decided she could do better. But painting vans was not like painting pictures she Learned. Special paints tools and techniques Are required. First she needed the air Brush a Brush from which the paint is sprayed. She had to order it from the . She began talking to people at motor pools about painting cars. They taught Hera lot. And they still do she said. When problems develop she consults the experts. Vans arc painted with automotive acrylic lacquers which Thomas buys from an automotive company she thins the paint Down mixes her own  the . Where Van popularity in the 70s just May surpass that of convertibles in the 50s, Van painting is big business. There Are special companies that do Noth ing but decorate the big vehicles with scenes and  to find a Van Painter in Germany. Spec. 5 Bob Saskoy of Heidelberg decided he wanted some flames on the Side of his Van. He looked on the Economy and was told that it would be necessary to have inexpert come from Stuttgart to do the Job. He did t even bother to ask the Price he said. Then he Learned about paint Brush. She did the Job for about half of what it would Cost in the ., he said. It sure stands out. On the cd people Tell me it s outstanding when i pass  but Tricia Thomas is not interested in Van painting As a business. I do it for fun. As a Hobby to meet people to travel said the 28-Yca a old artist. 97th general Hospital Illustrator uses her Talent to give vans a personal touch trick Thomas and her pet Doberman sit in be Van which she has decorated with a Snow capped Mountain scene. -s4s, and. It provides a certain satisfaction distinct from painting a Canvas she explained. I like the idea of exhibiting my Art of showing what i can do without paying gallery fees. It gives a great sense of accomplishment in seeing something you have created being driven around by someone  More and More banners Sec her work More Are asking her to take her Brush to their mini Homes on wheels. Her Price is right and she even drives her Van to her  recently joined the love limited Only to vans in Kuro Pei Van club. Like the clubs in the slates. Love sponsors Van ins reunions for the Van people who get together with their prize possessions and get a Chance to Sec what others have done to dress up and us Curie their big  Van gives you the Freedom to go somewhere without an incredible amount of prior planning. It s a car you can live  it s so much fun on a  Thomas  the Winter months just about every weekend her Van Heads to Switzerland with a group of dedicated skiers sitting in the Back playing cards singing laughing. Sometimes the Driver lets someone else take Over. She gets out her guitar and joins the party on  a Van Means that people often ask for rides to the ski slopes or help in moving furniture. It s just All part of the  she said obviously not upset by the requests i m very attached to my  she explained. It s needed in my life now. I could t part with it. When i go Back to the states it will go with me. I d like to drive it across the  Thomas is equally attached to the passenger who almost always rides next to her in her 1971 Blue vow bus. It s  her 2-year-old Doberman. Whenever i talk about the Van it s the three of us she  and painting them Are among Tricia Thomas most recent interests something she has been devoted to in a big Way for several years is skiing. To her Snow and mountains have become More than a place to enjoy her favorite sport for the past two years she has been the Leader of the Frankfurt ski club National ski patrol. Which Means that most of Herski weekends Are devoted to Mountaineer ing work Avalanche and Glacier training practice of Rescue techniques leaching others ski patrol  she loves Snow and mountains she frequently paints them. 8fh inf Captain deeply into exploring caverns by Rick Maze staff writer he. Field arty said w world s record. The old Mark of 3.m2 feet was set m August 1966 z ate ,975 did t go deeper but started 30 fee o the Cave a it 30 the he Mam opening used Ca " " it is by instinct " for a  he said paint Bruin As Cubera Call Thomas decorates a Van. Patoto for s4s by Bob Kukey