Barbara McQueen photo exhibit in Carmel

Chapman Gallery in Carmel presents Steve McQueen: The Last Mile.
Steve McQueen and Lee Majors. Photo by Barbara McQueen.	Barbara McQueen, widow of actor Steve McQueen, is making a special visit to a local art gallery and book shop as part of a promotional appearance for Carmel-By-The-Sea Concours on the Avenue. The Chapman Gallery, located on 7th Avenue between San Carlos and Mission in Carmel-By-The-Sea, will host a selling exhibition of limited edition photographs by Barbara McQueen on Aug. 14, to coincide with the publication of the book Steve McQueen: The Last Mile written by Barbara. “I love Carmel because it’s been a part of my life since I was a kid,” McQueen recently said. “The city is beautiful, the food is good, the shopping is great and Clint’s still cute.” Barbara, who had carved a very successful career for herself as a fashion model, met Steve McQueen in 1977.
At a time when she was stepping back from the modeling industry, McQueen was equally beginning to turn his back on the trappings of Hollywood stardom. They were to spend the next three-and-a-half years together, marrying in 1980 the year of the actor’s death. During that time, she captured wonderful and unique images that the very private McQueen allowed to no one else. Barbara soon discovered that the screen legend she had idolized from afar was a determined individualist who loved vintage planes, motorcycles and cars and admired the men who flew and drove them above all others. The dapper 'Thomas Crown' in real life dressed with a casual disdain for expense and fashion, sported a mountain-man beard, drank tinned beer, adored mashed potatoes for dinner and chocolate cake for breakfast. A product of a broken home, he dreamed of a small town idyll with his own general store, and collected vintage toys and Americana. Barbara's photographs record a behind the scenes life of personal pleasures and enthusiasms - hitting the road in Steve's pickup truck, visiting collectors' shows and swap-meets, driving 700 miles for a rare World War I motorcycle, flying a vintage mail plane, and generally ducking out of Hollywood life. But when work did call, Barbara was also on hand to capture marvelous candid shots on the sets of McQueen's two last films, Tom Horn and The Hunter. The show offers a privileged insight into a previously unseen side of one of the 20th century's most charismatic and admired stars, and a rare treat for collectors and fans. The Chapman Gallery will be offering the exclusive limited edition of photographs by Barbara McQueen, framed to conservation standards. The book Steve McQueen: The Last Mile is available to buy at the gallery. Special limited editions ($98) and hardbacks ($49.99) will be available at the booksigning, which takes place noon Tuesday August 14, 2007. An artist reception for Barbara McQueen will take place 5 to 7 p.m. later that evening. Chapman Gallery, 7th Ave between San Carlos and Mission Sts, between Tiger Lily and the Bank of America parking lot. Please call (831) 626-1766 or contact us at Chapman Gallery.com.