Kenny Greer/The LanternTom McMahon spray paints ‘Hope’ on a Barack Obama T-shirt he made for himself. For $15, people could design their own shirt.
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When Fred Boll graduated from film school, he got an internship and was prepared to begin his career. That changed when his classmate Annie Woods called.
“Annie called me and said, ‘We’re going on a road trip,'” he said.
Boll, Woods and New York artist Gadi, who met Woods on the lower East Side of New York, have traveled across the United States in the “Bamabus,” a Volkswagon van decorated to show support for Sen. Barack Obama. They made a stop at Ohio State on Tuesday. “We’re three artists trying to make a difference,” Gadi said. “We are a creative contribution to the campaign.”
Gadi was inspired by artist and printmaker Shepard Fairey, according to the group’s Web site, www.bamabus.com. Gadi created Obama stencils to create hand-made spray painted T-shirts.
“Every T-shirt is unique,” he said. The shirts, which the group sells for $15, are what allow the artists to continue on their journey.
“Financially we haven’t broken even,” Gadi said. “We have been able to get money for gas and food.”
The trio has contributed their own funds for the van and the trip. They are not concerned with making a profit.
“The goal is not to make any financial difference,” Woods said. “I think it’s just grassroots, and that’s how it should be.”
Besides making T-shirts, Boll and Woods have been recording the entire experience.
“There’s a documentary we’re working on,” Woods said. The trio plan to show it after the election.
Starting in California, the three have traveled through nine swing states campaigning for Obama. The artists are headed to Cleveland next, and then will work their way to Florida.
“It’s surprising how much positive reaction we’re getting on the highway,” he said. Truckers honk and make peace signs as they drive by, he said.
When the trip is over, the group will work on their documentary and continue their careers as artists.
Boll said he is not worried about the impact of skipping his internship for a political road trip.
“It was worth it,” he said. “I can always get another internship.”
Everdeen Mason can be reached at [email protected].
