The brothers behind the painted flowers dotting yellow cabs throughout the city are not quite Christo and Jeanne-Claude. But since the public phase of their art initiative started 12 days ago, the two middle-age California natives, Ed and Bernie Massey, have seen their art project burgeon, with between 2,500 and 3,000 taxis being adorned with a painted flower skin.

Their nonprofit project, "Garden in Transit," was conceived in 2000, with a goal of placing unique pieces of art on one of the most visible icons of New York: the yellow cab. About 27,000 vinyl sheets of flowers were painted by children in schools and hospitals, mostly in New York, beginning in 2006, with each meant to be affixed — temporarily — to taxis that requested some floral sprucing up.

The privately funded project is tied to the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the metered, motorized taxi in the city.

The Massey brothers — both tall, sandy haired, slim, relaxed, and gregarious — divide the project's oversight between themselves, with Ed Massey, 43, heading up the artistic aspects of the project and Bernie Massey, 47, leading the educational side.

As the two stood in Union Square publicizing "Garden in Transit" to families and passersby yesterday, they spoke in cheerful tones about their work, pointing to pictures of bedridden children in hospitals smiling broadly as they painted flowers destined for the hoods of taxis.

"The flower is such a wonderful symbol of hope," Ed Massey said. "We like to push themes that are common shapes for kids."

http://www.nysun.com/article/63262