I talked to Cari Webber at the Hot Times Festival.

Location: 240 Parsons Ave., Columbus, OH 43205.

Why have an art car?

I am friends with Greg and Ramona. They were part of my inspiration. My sister-in-law Melanie used to have the “Tiki” car that has been at the festival for years. I have been coming to the Hot Times Festival for years. It is just fun. Spread cheer. Something fun to look at to break up your normal day.

It appears that part of your design is to include the yellow glue. Some people do not show the glue in their design. Why do you show the glue?

My favorite color is yellow. I wanted a yellow car; but, none was available that met my criteria when it was time for me to purchase. I ended up with a black car. I know that you can get silicone in different colors. I looked for yellow and found it.

Other than the color yellow, is there a specific theme for your car?

Glitter, sparkle, bright, and fun. Make people smile.

Is there anything that I didn’t ask you that you think I should have asked you? If so, go ahead and answer that question.

On the inside of the dashboard, the top is the sky. I painted inside the ceiling and the side panels blue, and then painted big white puffy clouds and added glitter. I have some brooch with flying insects that I am starting to pin on the ceiling. I have rainbows in the back. It is like I brought the outside to the inside of the vehicle. I have the fun world around me watching people giving me high fives and thumbs up.

How do you avoid getting into accidents driving your art car?

I am a defensive driver. I am kind. I let people in when they need to be let in. I am cautious. People look; but, sometimes you just gotta slow down.

Soon, I will be adding fake trees to the grass on the dash just to add another scenic element.  My old car had an airbag panel in the dash. To be safe, I cut around the airbag panel then, added blue glitter, so it was my water feature. I like the idea of putting a pond somewhere in there at some point.

So, this is not your first art car.

No. I started with a Ford Focus. I started with the same concept on the inside with the clouds and the sky. The car started nickel and diming me. I stopped gluing stuff on the car and started saving things so when I was able to buy a new car, I could start over. Round two.

Anything else?

My license plate is, “WHAT THE” because when people see the car they say, “What the.”