Those popular home propane tanks that look like colossal cold capsules or dry-docked mini subs can be unusual showcases for unique folk art creations.

Ranging in capacity from 250 gallons up to 500 gallons, residential propane tanks typically sport white finishes or are left unpainted because, y’know, dark gas tanks under bright sunlight and all. Not all propane tanks are so exposed, however, and their sizes and shape invite an unlimited range of creative solutions. One of the most popular, it would seem, is turning the tank into a Beatle-esque Yellow Submarine.

Flickr member jhk&alk captured one such psychedelic homage to the 1967 film at Shelter Cove, on California’s “Lost Coast”, in August of 2014.

Flickr member istartedi snapped a very similar rendition (could the same artist be responsible?) featuring the Yellow Submarine’s iconic Nowhere Man on a propane tank situated some 240 miles south in the North Bay area.

Kitten of the Sea

It’s yellow, and it’s a submarine, but even The Beatles in their most trip-tastic moments couldn’t come up with the “USS Catattack”. We’re SO glad Pinterest member Jacqueline Faust (theArtisticFarmer) did, however, because this cat-themed backyard propane tank isn’t just awesome, it’s… clawsome!

Melonia?

Do watermelons give you gas? This one does, but we’re sure there’s no connection with the re-purposed toilet planter right beside. Flickr member vinky captured the above charming outdoor scene, possibly hailing from the tiny town of Washington, CA, for posterity in May of 2012.

Then there’s this watermelon-themed propane tank, complete with a faux-frog “guardian” in case the local gas pirates (is there such a thing?) get any bright ideas.

Animal Tank Farm

This pair of porcine propane tanks from Orangeville, Ontario don’t appear to be functional, unless one considers their prime function to be pieces of intriguing folk art. Flickr member Will S posted the above image of the heavy metal petting zoo in April of 2015. While we wouldn’t even think about welding a propane tank, empty or not, some folks ARE qualified to do just that. If you’ve got an hour (yes, an hour) to spare, check out this video from BILLSTMAXX in which the photographer/welder/artist creates one of the gas tank piggies.

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Canned Heat 12 Folk Art Painted Residential Propane Tanks

Hank Hill might look askance at any artistic affectation of “propane and propane accessories” but give the big fella his due: propane is America’s grilling gas of choice. These days propane gas tanks have found a place in urban, suburban and rural settings with some owners choosing to beautify them so they’ll fit in even better.

Tankheads

(images via: Instructables and That’s Nerdalicious)

Ever notice how those dime a dozen 20lb portable propane tanks look sorta like LEGO heads? Will painting one yellow and adding minimalist facial features help? Yes and yes – and the gang at Instructables shows you exactly how to get ahead, so to speak, in the LEGO head lookalike propane tank game.

Make Mine Melon

(images via: Junk Market Style)

Watermelons give you gas, who knew? All it takes is a little imagination (plus a couple of old coat hangers and some wooden beads) and that rusty old propane tank will be looking as cool as a cucumber… or, well, some other large green edible.

Darwin’s Designs

(images via: Propane.pro and Darwin Design)

Is T.J. Darwin really “The Propane Picasso”? Undoubtedly the late Spanish artist would be impressed by the colorful and elaborate tableaux Darwin displays on water and propane tanks. The 46-year-old Darwin finds plenty of tanks to practice on in propane-dependent Idyllwild, CA, and a previous stint in the art department at FAO Schwartz allowed him to hone his illustrating skills. “I like the three-dimensional surface,” stated Darwin to a reporter from the local Press-Enterprise newspaper. “It tells a story.” Even more so once Darwin finishes with it.

Tank in Sheep’s Clothing

(images via: Zan’s Art)

Who says painted propane tanks have to be wild & wooly when merely wooly is more than enough? Alexandra Orton whipped up “Fluffy” for the All the King’s Horses Children’s Ranch in Benson, AZ.

Rocky Mountain High

(image via: Sally Cruikshank)

Artist Sally Cruikshank isn’t exactly a jet-setter but her hand-painted propane tank sure is and it’s anything but “plane”. Better keep that tank filled with propane and not Red Bull – all it needs is wings and it’s gone, man.

Grillin’ & Grinnin’

(images via: GrabCAD)

The talented folks at GrabCAD show that the art of propane tank decoration need not be a low-tech endeavor. According to Kastle at GrabCAD, the basic concept was downloaded from 3dcontentcentral and modified for use in a personal project. Sure hope this terrific tank sees the light of day someday!

Hotter Than Halloween

(image via: Instructables)

The creative crew from Instructables is at it again, this time transforming a clapped out but still serviceable propane tank into the hottest jack-o-lantern this side of Halloweentown. Word to the wise: this is one “pumpkin” you’ll NOT want to light up with a lit candle.

Tailgater Aid

(images via: Tailgating Ideas)

You gotta support the team and where face-painting leaves off, propane tank painting picks up… or maybe that should be, kick’s off. Tailgating Ideas’ reader Mike from Severn, Maryland, shared his tank decorating technique and as you might guess, it takes both time and talent. Especially the former, as applying the pigskin-like dimples to the tank took hours using the blunt end of a toothpick.

Highway Tankers

(images via: OldTrailer.com)

If you’re determined to restore a 1956 Shasta “canned ham” style trailer the right way, then leaving out the twin propane tanks is not an option. Don’t these look great all decked out in Mint Green & White divided by a staggered silver stripe?

We All Live In A…

(images via: Forever Decorating)

Don’t tell Mitt Romney but propane-powered submarines went out with horses and bayonets. There’s one cheerfully painted holdover, however, deep in the heart of Texas and as pretty as a yellow rose. A little Plaid acrylic paint topped with Valspar outdoor sealer ensures this sweet sub will sail on through any type of weather.

Flames On!

(images via: crb1177 and ChuckBauman.com)

Chuck Bauman’s famed for his flames and deservedly so – the dude’s a master of the art of Realistic Flames Airbrushing! Some might say painting a propane tank with realistic flames is just asking for trouble but we disagree: it’s more like asking for admiring comments, and getting them.

Got Propane?

(images via: LJWorld and Coal Creek Farm)

If your cow emits propane instead of methane, you just might be drawing a combustible concoction from a moo-tifully modified storage tank. If not, you’ve just plugged the grill fueling hose into a very unhappy bull.

Bigger Bird

(images via: Plaid Red)

It’s a bird, it’s a tank, it’s a… tank painted up to look like a bird. Won’t be the first time someone’s had to gas up the T-bird but anyway, this tank was originally supposed to be a rooster but the artist’s unchecked creativity soon led her off the beaten track into a very different place. Not that we’re complaining, the end result looks anything but cheep.

If You Pilled It, They Will Come

(images via: You Tour Like a Girl and Lomojunkie71)

Lessee now, propane or Prozac? You’re gonna need a whole lot of the latter if you just filled your 500-gallon propane tank and the grill decides to self-destruct. Luckily there’s a solution – sitting on somebody’s lawn in Milan (some say Red Hook), New York is the world’s biggest Prozac pill. You might think you’ll need a BIG glass of water to get that sucker down but good news everyone… it’s a suppository.

King Of The Hills

(image via: The Feral Irishman)

You don’t have to love propane (and propane accessories) as much as Strickland Propane’s Hank Hill but a little TLC can go a long way towards beautifying your yard. Propane tanks whether portable or permanent are easily visible so make sure they’re visually appealing – with a little imagination and some elbow grease who knows how your tank or tanks will end up?