tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31929522211795369002024-02-20T00:43:14.321-08:00The Art & The AutoThe Blog of Car-N-Art for Graphic Design, Photography, and original works and constant ramblings of Keven CarterAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-31180693739793807552014-09-29T05:32:00.000-07:002014-09-29T06:23:46.746-07:00It's time to 'Square Up'.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcn6eafB7Z_5LXhOEnyFcEDW9nRgRtmrHFM1fRmjzB8LV_OEOkP1EREidVQ1Cgn116j3DMUupjdHRv3KZ4zpIEOCwzkjvuEdXRofckmeAvU2rJHNuaW6FN5P7iY_zQpidIB37GBOeVKc/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcn6eafB7Z_5LXhOEnyFcEDW9nRgRtmrHFM1fRmjzB8LV_OEOkP1EREidVQ1Cgn116j3DMUupjdHRv3KZ4zpIEOCwzkjvuEdXRofckmeAvU2rJHNuaW6FN5P7iY_zQpidIB37GBOeVKc/s1600/unnamed.jpg" height="320" width="255" /></a></div>
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This morning I was going through my early routine of checking in on the rest of the Facebook world and stumbled past a post that caught my eye. Since this was posted in the Traditional Hot Rods group and I happen to be a small business that uses the Square Reader device as a convenience to my customers at shows, I thought <a href="http://dailysignal.com/2014/09/25/gun-shop-owners-longer-hip-square/?utm_source=heritagefoundation&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=saturday&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRonsqjLZKXonjHpfsX57e8pUK%2BylMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4DS8ZhI%2BSLDwEYGJlv6SgFQrLBMa1ozrgOWxU%3D" target="_blank">it was worth a look</a>.</div>
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The only reason I use the Square Reader is for the convenience to others, not for me. I used to be a cash only business and it worked out only so well for shows. It would come time to close on a transaction and I would give the customer the total amount due to me (usually about $20 or less) and out comes a piece of plastic from their wallets. This brought on an awkward point where I'd hoped somewhere else in that wallet were some greenbacks so I didn't loose my customer. Sometimes it was true and other times I would get complaints that the customer couldn't use their magic piece of plastic everywhere they went. So I got on the Square Reader bandwagon (by customer request).<br />
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I like to focus my time and energy in the creation of artworks, not bookkeeping or doing all the other parts of business I need to do on a daily, weekly, monthly or annual basis. My goal is to spend a minimum of 40 hours a week on the creation side and only around 10 hours a week on all the other parts of business including correspondence, invoicing, running errands, ordering supplies, doing research, balancing a budget and accounting. Everything I listed after art is anti-art from my viewpoint. The truth of the matter is it's about a 60/40 split of time between creation and accounting. Since I'm a one man band, I need to keep on top of all aspects. Some will automatically think:"hire an accountant" but when I would need to significantly increase my price point on all of my products and services, I don't know that they would be okay with the new prices if I did.<br />
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I don't sell guns, parts for guns, ammo or even tobacco products so in general I wouldn't think twice about a post like this until customers attempt a potential boycott to my business based on payment options. Though I don't think it's fair to punish a small time business guy who creates art for a living, if you feel this strongly about your second amendment rights being infracted, then I understand and will also grant you the right to use a second payment option (and my personal favorite) CASH!<br />
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If people came to events and shows and prepared to have more cash on hand, this wouldn't be an issue. The Square Reader as well as Paypal create extra work for me in the end, and as I mentioned, I'd rather focus on the art than the accounting.<br />
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Problem solved patrons and patriots: Bring more cash and we all win.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-40154166137221187792014-09-22T14:59:00.004-07:002014-09-23T07:59:41.209-07:00Say it, don’t Spray it: SprayBombing!<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In the past year I’ve had some pretty fun adventures in riding. Part of riding is figuring out what works for you and your limitations. Some people choose not to wear a helmet and I’m simply not one of them; I have too much to live for not to pop one on. After wearing a black helmet the majority of this year I realized how much your noodle can cook as the color black tends to absorb heat where lighter colors will reflect. I saw an episode of Mythbusters where they did an experiment with light vs dark color vehicles and took the internal heat and if memory serves, there was at least a 5 degree difference between the two. This is the same for your head in a helmet. Being a pretty white guy, I burn easy in the sun. I often joke about ‘my people” living in caves because they were afraid of the sun. No joke, last year my nose completely peeled off in 4 days of riding in the elements to the point it was bleeding. Overheating is serious issue with motorcycling, but so is proper riding gear.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">One project I wanted to tackle for fun and some experience was painting a <a href="http://instagram.com/p/snvQpVLUjt/" target="_blank">motorcycle helmet</a>. The overall goal was to have a primarily white helmet. I have a couple I switch between, but they are all dark because when you are making your selection of color you often think about how cool black is over any other color, until the sun is beating down on you!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When you think about spray paint you don’t often expect to get good results. Its the kind of projects you drag out to the backyard and place on some newspaper sheets, take 30 seconds to shake a rattle can and then mist away with 50% or more getting carried off into the wind. I know I’ve had my fair share of projects like this with sketchy results for sure, But with some careful planning and proper prep work it doesn't have to turn out looking like ‘crapolla’. The fact is, if you are careful, you can achieve pretty decent results without spending a lot of money or without expensive spray guns, compressors, paint booths, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The intention was to do a quickie spray bomb on a helmet but my expectations of myself are a little too high for the end results to look poor. I started with a brand new Daytona 3/4 Cruiser helmet I got off eBay for about 50% of retail price. It was gloss white to begin with so I probably should have just wore it as is, but I wanted to do a little color split and got carried away...</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><u>STARTING THE PAINT</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The first step was to strip the helmet down to the bare bones. I took off the edging so the paint could run edge to edge and the new trim wouldn’t have any gaps. I razored off the old edge and took out all the guts and put them in a bag in my office. I taped off the snaps originally because I thought I could just paint around them, but later ran into an issue.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvPAZuhq27Bwqgc9ApgVVpS0ET8Uj3ATWUcLyoMCtHrcw2j6CInkbp6FIKjSv3vEzQYMn2r8tgs7Mq7Qu_RsQxLtxjSa-k58jE10WeE9grKEjrofAlGHIpT5bfmMIhS9582w-kGQ2qJ4/s1600/scallops+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvPAZuhq27Bwqgc9ApgVVpS0ET8Uj3ATWUcLyoMCtHrcw2j6CInkbp6FIKjSv3vEzQYMn2r8tgs7Mq7Qu_RsQxLtxjSa-k58jE10WeE9grKEjrofAlGHIpT5bfmMIhS9582w-kGQ2qJ4/s1600/scallops+1.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">After all the padding and edge was off, I scuffed the whole helmet with a scotch-brite pad. I know most painters prefer to use the red ones for painting but since the dollar store had three packs of the green ones, and this project was supposed to be cheap and quick, I bought those for a buck. In my mind the whole thing is going to be covered up anyway so why should it matter what color the scotch-brite pad is?</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I had decent success with Duplicolor paint in the past when I did a touch up job on my old 1974 Cadillac. It seems to cover well and is sandable, so I thought I’d use that for a top coat for the helmet. For the color of the paint I started with one I’ve been a fan of for some time, Wimbleton White, which is a pearl-ish Ford color you see on many Focus and Fusions. In this case its more of an off-white color because I feel it would look better than a straight white overall. I picked up an 8 once can of touch up paint to use as a top coat. Since it only covers approximately 10 square feet (in perfect conditions) I thought if I sprayed some base cream color on the helmet to build up some color, I’d be in good shape and save a few bucks since I already had a couple of nearly empty cans from a older project still sitting in the barn.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYGGhY1r66KhSwg00BbvSEuvqhV33mOGgwibpGLsRKy4V7XmMozitygt6SK9wBuFltYB4WuOG7tUOIjOcfx1MyRxRvU_HR9RvMV9F8Dql8jLySVqQZ8ZZr6nM4krWq2JjxSiWYIz6sgg/s1600/scallops+2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYGGhY1r66KhSwg00BbvSEuvqhV33mOGgwibpGLsRKy4V7XmMozitygt6SK9wBuFltYB4WuOG7tUOIjOcfx1MyRxRvU_HR9RvMV9F8Dql8jLySVqQZ8ZZr6nM4krWq2JjxSiWYIz6sgg/s1600/scallops+2+copy.jpg" height="167" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">After the scuff I used alcohol I bought at the dollar store as well on some paper towel to wipe down the shell and set it in the sun to evaporate. After about 20 minutes of gassing out I started laying the light coats of paint. The paint laid out well and seem to go on very nicely. Keep in mind I’m spraying everything outside, using a step ladder as my base to hold the helmet. Having your object up higher so you can work around it, keeping the paint consistent is important and also lets you move around the object easier than if it’s sitting on the ground. Ideally, for the best results its better to start somewhere inside in a well ventilated area, like a garage with the door cracked a bit; out of the elements like dust, bugs, etc. and you’re also going to probably get more product on the target than if the wind is carrying it away. After you build up your coats (three at a time seems to work best) and it has a good 10 minutes to flash up, I’d recommend setting it in the sun to bake and gas out. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">After all the base coat color went on I wet sanded with 600 grit and everything was looking great! There was a bit of <a href="http://instagram.com/p/sr2dourUph/" target="_blank">checking in the paint around the snaps</a> which I thought that either the tape absorbed some of the alcohol or I’d left some fingerprints even though I was really careful with the rubber gloves when handling it. I left enough texture to it to still have paint adhesion for the next layers of paint. I’d already purchased the next color for the scallops which is a Honda touch up color called Nighthawk Black Pearl, which looks mostly black except in direct sunlight which it appears to be a Blue-Black (think Superman‘s hair color) and has a bit of a mircoflake to it to make it shine. I saw it on a brand new Honda Civic and it looked so nice I wanted to incorporate it in a project somehow. As I started to prepare for how I was going to do my split with a grease marker and some painters tape, I sketched out a few concepts using the green 3M tape as a guide. When I came up to the points where the marker was going to hit the tape, I just rolled it back and continued my lines... that is until the base coat came up with the painters tape!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_3nn5Mz8DFwaiiv6QX4_5pJYhV4kaKDakMs8wif0DOHVyotDN5U6ecGPoHJtCPqpkUlkCR8GRqEUT8CBY4QDa7kFoLsDCydeGpbg5pw-ED15G8S8r2XC2EyPIu7oWQ2qJZnvEcml0mQ/s1600/scallops+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_3nn5Mz8DFwaiiv6QX4_5pJYhV4kaKDakMs8wif0DOHVyotDN5U6ecGPoHJtCPqpkUlkCR8GRqEUT8CBY4QDa7kFoLsDCydeGpbg5pw-ED15G8S8r2XC2EyPIu7oWQ2qJZnvEcml0mQ/s1600/scallops+4.jpg" height="117" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">UGh! At this point I was pretty upset and couldn’t exactly pin point where things went wrong. I figured it was dirty hands prints or non evaporated alcohol still resting on the shell. As I’d mentioned that there was a little checking (wrinkled paint) around the snaps so after I’d stripped off all the paint back to the base, I also drilled out the snaps on the helmet so there wasn’t going to be any reason for the paint not sticking. I also kept looking at the cans I’d bought and the age of how long they’d be sitting on the shelf. Everything lead back to that base coat of old cream colored paint that used as a base. It was a Rustoleum that didn't want to “play well with others”. I’d had a half empty rattle can sitting around from when I’d painted a mini bike several years back. So after putting in a few hours of careful work I found myself back to the base level again, scrapping off the old paint with lacquer thinner and a scuff pad.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZfjF8U930sxYfH0VW8D1TknGYrkiTQOsBuocTx0BXDoOLqDdeQGo9Ec_xoyx7tFnePRUxRmBRJN8s72ZThvfV-ioMPcqKd8o4h5ugpEbbsAGDzaed_CnwwyrnlF-_1DkP52FK2KxksE/s1600/testscallops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZfjF8U930sxYfH0VW8D1TknGYrkiTQOsBuocTx0BXDoOLqDdeQGo9Ec_xoyx7tFnePRUxRmBRJN8s72ZThvfV-ioMPcqKd8o4h5ugpEbbsAGDzaed_CnwwyrnlF-_1DkP52FK2KxksE/s1600/testscallops.jpg" height="320" width="288" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I went to my local painters supply store and bought the red scotch-brite pads, high build primer, 3M painters fine line tape and some more sand paper. There’s nothing worse than starting over again but I’d be damned if I cut corners and wasted time and energy just to have it happen again. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbsR7EcdIm-qObNpLYDLnlRxpM8Uq4q5zzA5aJ6bsCqmk2XFiAgmTVYnx2hpvaz15HmWPmZMau5KFORJG4FHZIKq0oJWuBzoFRZAP3pJ33i77nt5CzpwVEieaQHLOES18l64pLuCkGFw/s1600/scallops+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbsR7EcdIm-qObNpLYDLnlRxpM8Uq4q5zzA5aJ6bsCqmk2XFiAgmTVYnx2hpvaz15HmWPmZMau5KFORJG4FHZIKq0oJWuBzoFRZAP3pJ33i77nt5CzpwVEieaQHLOES18l64pLuCkGFw/s1600/scallops+13.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I made sure that the helmet was CLEAN! After the lacquer thinner I washed the helmet with soap and water then re-scuffed it again and wiped clean with alcohol. After it gassed out in the sun and I waited for a low humidity, low wind day, I sprayed again with the high-build primer. Several coats later first with dry spraying for a base to tack to, I laid down wetter coats (basically moving in closer to the target and overlapping the coats more). Another day went by to make sure the coats were dry, <a href="http://instagram.com/p/s2NZhgLUgr/" target="_blank">I wet sanded again with 600 grit using a soapy mixture with water. </a>It sanded really well and then I re-scuffed again and wiped with alcohol, prepping for the color to go on.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwEibOD4W6g5uKcJHMyZNs7bJpse63OuRrdT3R9HLf2JtxXGkZIiPcJbWB0Owvu3HX6VjV1MQredS64OZo9cyiNkD2GNEwFCjvW25YAa_eP_TIKdBlK64uiIfEI3vmiMvGvcJIOcKdLU/s1600/scallops+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwEibOD4W6g5uKcJHMyZNs7bJpse63OuRrdT3R9HLf2JtxXGkZIiPcJbWB0Owvu3HX6VjV1MQredS64OZo9cyiNkD2GNEwFCjvW25YAa_eP_TIKdBlK64uiIfEI3vmiMvGvcJIOcKdLU/s1600/scallops+14.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">At this point I started to second guess all of what I know about painting, thinking I was going to botch this again. It doesn’t take much to mess with my head when I got sketchy results just prior. From here on out though, everything went quite smoothly!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRLpKbZXHhth-EyWKbsLMCMHUrFEg5WUAWu0e6ZllPST2S0bBjNIeUhDN6pDl8qNW-FE4YO1bCg4vGK8y01EwSg7yqDFI6F6xIoF2KSWMI5MH726hq_3o42DiYwZQzUIBAo-lMEQK8ag/s1600/scallops+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRLpKbZXHhth-EyWKbsLMCMHUrFEg5WUAWu0e6ZllPST2S0bBjNIeUhDN6pDl8qNW-FE4YO1bCg4vGK8y01EwSg7yqDFI6F6xIoF2KSWMI5MH726hq_3o42DiYwZQzUIBAo-lMEQK8ag/s1600/scallops+15.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">After the Wimbleton white went down (this time I doubled the amount of paint on the base so I could color sand) and it was sanded down and wiped clean, I started with the fine line tape free-handing the curves. The nice part was I’d already sketched out the idea perviously and had the pictures around for reference. I didn’t use any form of measuring tape, I just went by gut and some landmarks on the helmet (snap holes, rivets for the chin strap) and started to layout the tape. Over the years of my silkscreening experience I became pretty skilled at using just my eyes, fingers and gut to line things up. After I’d taped everything off for the new Black pearl I went ahead and did three quick coats on it. The paint looked a lot darker than I recalled and not as blue as I remembered it looked on the car, so despite my previous experience of using old paint, I went back in the barn and grabbed this can of Krylon Stained Glass paint. These stained glass paints only come in the primary colors and are designed to go on glass as a cheap way to achieve the stain glass work. The cool thing about this paint is not only does it spray really nicely, it acts like a candy paint since it’s very translucent but leaves the color tint only without a solid.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This time around I’d started a test panel always squirting the panel first, then the helmet to make sure all the paints react well with each other. So I wasn't going to coat with this old paint without testing it first. Since most of the checking happens pretty quickly, I would know if it was going to work or not. It coated very nicely and looked great on the panel so I gave it a quick couple coats on top of the Black pearl.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">After letting the paint dry for two days, just to be sure, I carefully razored all my tape lines so that when I pulled the tape, I wouldn’t also pull the paint! I’m not 100% positive that it needs to be done with all paint, but I’ve had some unhappy results when I didn’t do this in the past, so I always razor it with color splits</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">After all the paper and tape were off I was very happy with the symmetry of the scallops. The next thing that needed to happen is to start laying down the base level clear coat to build up the difference in layers of paint as there was a clear step with the three extra layers of paint between the white and black. After layering up two, 8 once cans worth of clear I started wet sanding again, this time with 1200 grit. I should have started with different levels of sand paper (600, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000), building up, but I was using only with what I had on hand. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It now came time to add a little pinstripe around the color split. Though the colors split nicely, there’s always a little spill over or inconstancies of the tape lines. In my case, I had nice lines, but a little bit of color spill from the blue-black to the white, so a nice little line would cover it up. I had the idea after I removed the snaps that I would be replacing them with brass snaps to give it a custom look rather than just putting the originals back on. So for the accent stripe I thought a metallic gold (which looks more like brass than gold) would work well.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Despite what I’m sometimes called on to do in the art world, I’m not a pinstriper. I know some very talented guys with steady hands but it’s not a skill I’m comfortable with. I did do a couple of attempts with the 1 Shot Metallic gold but I wasn’t happy with how thick I was doing my lines. So instead of coming this far and screwing it up, <a href="http://instagram.com/p/tIxBzxrUhB/" target="_blank">I consulted my buddy Lil Mark </a>who’s a talented fabricator and pinstriper and had him lay down the lines. Many strippers don’t like the metallics because they are always thin compared with the solids. So Mark’s trick was adding a few drops of black to the mix to give it an antique brass color and also thicken it up a bit. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pBdlbXpU6RC2r0P5wYTnaT4yvl4osxC1-p-DZ9QxbmOXnW-KIVIOR4oiGC1LeiWRmeEf7fiQGMPUVmc8cUCHTb9WuGoJfzZ4ncwL5jlZ4cdkNFzE2OF5JT9D4E8FxsdMo7Y_Y8Ce4r0/s1600/scallops+21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pBdlbXpU6RC2r0P5wYTnaT4yvl4osxC1-p-DZ9QxbmOXnW-KIVIOR4oiGC1LeiWRmeEf7fiQGMPUVmc8cUCHTb9WuGoJfzZ4ncwL5jlZ4cdkNFzE2OF5JT9D4E8FxsdMo7Y_Y8Ce4r0/s1600/scallops+21.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">After the lines went down I wanted to clear coat it asap before something could go wrong. Now, since I had been doing my test panel first then the helmet, I didn’t have that same paint on anything other than the helmet. There was a bit of a happy accident with the gold as it got an interesting texture to it under the clear. It’s very fine, so unless you are looking for it, it’s not really noticeable, but I like how it brings a human side to this. It almost gives a gold leaf look to the project.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I ran two more thick coats of clear on top of the helmet. After the second coat of clear I saw a bit of fogging happening which is a pretty good idea to stop as it means there’s too much clear and it’s going to start doing weird things from there if you don’t stop laying it down and you end up with a mess. I also had to change brands of clear from the Duplicolor to Rustoleum but in all my tests it worked fine.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The last step 36 hours after the clear coat went on was the last wet sanding with 2000 grit and soapy water. I did a light cut with that, knocking back the majority of the orange peel texture to it and then moved on to rubbing compounds. I watched a few <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEMbGxZ3IzI" target="_blank">youtube videos</a> of people doing a cut and rub and learned a little more than what I already knew. I hadn’t considered the difference in the nap of the towel or the pad making a big difference. So with the heavy cut, I started with a terrycloth pad and rubbed and wiped down, then did the same heavy cut with a finer towel. I did the same two steps with the fine cut compound, one with the terrycloth pad and again with the finer towel. The last step was with a scratch remover compound that you can buy at many auto stores designed to take out light scratches and swirls in the clear coat on a car. This went on and came off with a microfiber towel.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><u>THE FINISHING TOUCHES:</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">To make this helmet more custom I’d mentioned that I wanted to use brass snaps instead of the typical Nickel plated silver snaps. Now, the issue was finding some solid brass snaps. Most seem to not be made of actual brass but rather a coated version of them. I know that military snaps are often solid brass but doing some research on them I realized that I would need to order packages of 100 snaps in most cases to get just a handful needed. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I ended up buying a 10 pack of ‘antique brass’ snaps off of eBay for a few bucks. These aren’t full brass but look correct over a solid gold appearance of the other ones listed as brass. I wanted to match the pinstripe look with that hint of black in it and the antique brass ones looked about perfect. I had this idea of how to attach them using ‘Chicago Screws’ sometimes they’re called post screws or binding or blind screws. Basically two fit pieces that cup together with a space between for a solid object. The cap of the screws only came in one size so I knew that the cap needed to be milled down about 1/8” all around to slide inside the cup of the snap post. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My buddy Eric is a talented artist and clock maker who gave me a hand in<a href="http://instagram.com/p/tDDWsLLUiq/" target="_blank"> turning these screw heads down to the proper size</a>. It worked out perfect! I got a great fit and a great custom look! It’s always handy to have a friend with a truck and even better to have a friend with a lathe! On the front snaps I had to take about 1/16” off the post side to make sure there wasn’t any slop in the snaps which I did with a quick grind on my bench. After getting them in, it was time to do the new edge trim.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I’d recently picked up an office chair at a thrift store for $2 and rebuilt it combining three old chair parts together. I’d asked a friend about how he was redoing his helmet trim and got turned on to RV suppliers who sell edge trim. It’s really easy to use and a great way to customize after you paint. It comes in a few standard colors: Black, Brown, Gray, White and Off-White. Custom colors can be ordered but you have to buy spools of 100’ or more for custom. <a href="http://instagram.com/p/rpq__sLUl-/" target="_blank">Having some extra on hand from another project</a> I liked the look and contrast of the off-white color, I decided to use it on this helmet, again, giving it that custom touch over the standard black. It takes approximately 3.5-4 feet to do a standard 3/4 helmet.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Edge-Lok just pushes on; there’s no need for glue or the like because of the nature of how this is constructed. It grabs and holds once in place and is very durable. I did discover if you want to re-dye it, the Duplicolor interior spray dye does an awesome job and available in some loud colors too. Very durable product from what I can tell from a test. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The last step in this actually happened right before the wet sanding of the clear. I had the idea to add a goggle strap to the back. Since most helmets no longer have these straps, and I actually wear goggles on longer rides, I needed to drill a hole. I added two layers of painters tape to the outside of the helmet before marking and drilling as I had a fear that I’d crack, chip or gouge out the clear coat. I don’t know if this is 100% necessary but I like to do this to be safe. Using a Dremel tool on a low setting I made a small hole and then used a rattail file to bring it up to 1/4” needed for the Chicago Screw/Snap combo.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The last step was the strap itself. Most helmets use vinyl for the straps which looks cheap to me. I wanted to use leather, but white leather is harder to come by. There is a bleaching process that can be done to leather to make it nearly white which would work well but all I needed was a 6” long by 3/4” wide piece, too much work for such a small piece. I got the idea while out thrift store shopping. I often look at men’s belts because you sometimes find nice, top grain, full leather belts for a couple bucks. I never made the connection until I was planning this project and new I wanted a white leather belt. So I hit the women’s section and found a few, but only one all leather white belt for $2. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Having done some leather work in the past the first thing I new I wanted to do to this belt was soak it in water because leather shrinks when wet, especially this bleached out leather. This is probably one reason most helmets have vinyl goggle straps to prevent them from shrinking. Since there is a good chance that the helmet will get wet in the elements, I thought it would be a good idea to preshrink the leather so it didn’t happen later on and never be able to be snapped again because it shrunk. To do this, simply get a bowl that will hold the belt coiled up and boil some water. Place the belt in the bowl and pour the water over the belt until it submerged. I recommend keeping the bowl in the sink incase you have spill over. In my case the belt shrunk in length and width so it only needed a little trimming and two holes punched and the snap cap put together to complete the strap. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The final step was reassemble the helmet padding, which was a lot harder than getting it out. I don’t have much advice other than you need to put some muscle to it to get it back where it belongs for the skull cap. The rest was pretty easy as they cheeks just snap in.<a href="http://instagram.com/p/tOe7O6LUla/" target="_blank"> Overall, I’m really happy with how it turned out and how nicely it all came together.</a></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><u>20 TIPS FOR SPRAY PAINTING FROM A CAN:</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I’m by no means an expert but I’ve spray painted a lot of junk over the years. Most of what I’ll list here are common paint tips, but apply to this project as well.</span></div>
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<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Wash your hands!</b> Keeping your oils off the project is key to adhesion of paint. Wear powder-free rubber gloves when handling your project. Keep your project clean. Not just oil free, but dust free as well.</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Back tape the edges of your work with painters tape</b>. This will allow an easier transition of the paint and what you are painting on not to stick together and ruin your project. It will also allow you a place to place your fingers if you need to pick up or move your project.</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Elevate your project.</b> If it’s possible to get your project to an area you can walk around and comfortably shoot at from an upright position, you will have much greater results. I recommend saw horses or a step ladder in an open area. Keep in mind that most spray paint cans are designed to work in a vertical position only.</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Keep a consistent distance from your subject.</b> Always try to stay the same distance away when you make your results from tip to topic. If some areas are hard to reach, do some practice motions without spraying so you know if you need something to step on or whatever to stay consistent.</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Don’t use old paint!</b> It cost me a lot more in time than money to just buy a fresh can. Take your time and test everything before you get in a hurry to lay it all down.</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Wipe your project down with alcohol before you paint</b>, let it gas out before you spray (about 10-20 minutes to evaporate). This is basically true for every color change, scuff or between long periods of 24 hours or more with coats.</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Follow the instructions on the can.</b> They are usually right but give very general specs based on a wide range of conditions. If it’s hot, you probably need less dry time and cold, you’ll need more.</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Shake the dang cans up! </b>Don’t forget to give a good shake. If you’ve been spraying for 30 seconds or more consistently, you probably need to give it a quick shake before starting again. When the can gets low, it can “spit” at your project. Stop using that can if it’s spitting as this causes more problems than it helps.</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Do a test panel!</b> I highly recommend having a piece of scrap sheet metal or plexiglass that you can test all of results on before screwing up your project. This will allow you to see what the paint will do before you paint your topic. Do all the same steps as you would with your project with prep and treatment. If you do all the steps, side by side, first on the panel, then on your project, you may be able to see where things went wrong before messing up your project. Use this test panel if you’re the kind of person who likes to test to see if the paint is tacky with your finger.</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Do light coats at first and let them just set up a bit before the next coat.</b> After a tack coating is done, use wet coats (move in a little closer to the topic) Example: If your light, tack coats are are 10-12" away, your wet coats will be 6-8" away from your project.</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Keep a “wet edge” </b>. Overlap your coats moving either left to right or up and down. Don’t let it drip or sag if you can avoid it. It can be fixable, but you'll spend a lot more time and energy sanding than if you were careful to begin with.</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Between coats of paint, invert the spray can and discharge until it’s just air coming out.</b> This keeps the nozzle clean and ready for the next use. This is pretty important step. Some spray paint cans will print this info on it, but many do not. It makes a world of difference to blow out what is in the tip.</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Make sure your paint and your thing you are painting are the same temperature</b> for color paints (see tip #15 for clear). I’ve had some weird results if either your paint or your project are different temperatures. Paint when the temperatures match whats on the can suggested temps and when the humidity and wind is low. If your project is airing out in the sun, move your rattle cans to the sun. If you take your project back to the shade to paint, do the same with the spray paint as well.</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Paint in the shade if you can</b>, not in direct sunlight. After the paint begins to set up (10-15 minutes), you may move it to a sunny spot to dry faster. Remember to rotate the piece so it gets sun all over .</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Clear coat goes on better when the can is warm</b>. To make the can warm, either place it in the sun directly and rotate it or place the can in a warm bucket of water. It goes on much smoother than if it’s cold.</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>If your neighbors are mowing the lawn or something that can kick up dust and debris, don’t paint! </b>Or if they start to mow the lawn after you just laid down a layer, move it inside somewhere so it doesn’t pick up crap in the paint. If you should get debris in your paint (like a bug, dog hair, etc) I recommend waiting to remove it when the paint is dry vs. wet as it can be easier to tackle with sanding when dry. I've had some success with tweezering out a rouge dog hair when it's jutting out of fresh paint, but if it's laying down and you start messing around with it, you cause more harm than good.</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Scuff between color changes</b> with a red scotch-brite pad and clean after first with soap and water, then with alcohol before the next coat. If you color sand both colors of paint there is a risk of some bleed over between the colors. The solution is to build up clear coats and sand those so there is less of a step between the layers.</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>If you can paint inside or a garage or larger space, make sure it’s well ventilated.</b> Mask off areas you don’t want painted as spray paint can really travel.</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Lay down enough layers</b> (minimum of three good coats) before sanding, otherwise you will sand right through it.</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>When doing a color split, I recommend lightly razoring your edge</b> between the paint and the tape so when you pull the tape it doesn’t pull or crack the paint. No need to push hard, a simple scoring of it should suffice.</span></li>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><u>SANDING/BUFFING TIPS</u></b></span></div>
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<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When wet sanding, use warm water with a mild soap. A good choice for soap would an automotive wash, not a scented hand soap/sanitizer/etc.</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">No need to “push” when sanding, keep it light and let it glide over your paint. Keep the paper and your project clean. If the paper gets debris in it, throw it out. Keep the water clean. Sand in an X pattern for best results. Keep in mind how much clear coat you put on before grinding it down. If you go through, you’ll be starting again.</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Buffing with compound using a variety naps in towels can give different results. Work from large naps to fine naps, ending in micro-fiber towels. Make sure the compound you buy can be used by hand as some are formulated for machine only.</span></li>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><u>ONE LAST TIP:</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Painting can be expensive, but some things can be bought cheap. Hit the dollar store for disposable items like drop cloths, masking paper, alcohol, terrycloth hand-towels, rubber gloves and the like. You can save a lot of money on things you toss away if you buy smart.</span></div>
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">I hope some of this helps someone out! </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><b>UPDATE:</b> I just did a little reading on the subject of aerosol clear coats and came across <a href="http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-s-2k-aero-spray-high-gloss-clear.html" target="_blank">Eastwood's 2K Clear</a>, which is a two part paint all in one can. I haven't tried it but it sounds like even with a price tag that's more than double of a typical can of higher end clear coat, it could outlast the competition. I saw a video where they wiped it with acetone and it didn't come up, so I'm already sold. Want to send me a can I can test out, Eastwood?!</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-45038670207262247472013-12-17T12:59:00.002-08:002013-12-17T12:59:17.829-08:00Who’s says ’13 is unlucky?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><u><b>Editors note up front</b></u>: I'm exhausted just rereading this. I only wrote 4 blogs this year and perhaps this mother load will explain why that is!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">From day to day (week to week or month to month for that matter) I often don’t know what I’ll be working on. Nearing the end of 2012 I got a very rare opportunity to meeting with some executives in Milwaukee and was passed a Hail Mary on a big job (for me at least) to work on. I had detailed a bit about that job back in January when the release of <a href="http://car-n-art.blogspot.com/2013/01/two-american-icons-get-in-bed-together.html" target="_blank">the collaboration of Harley-Davidson and Kid Rock</a>. What I’d learned is I’d inadvertently knocked one out of the park for the two parties. This home-run opened many doors and set the tone for me in 2013.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In <b>January</b> I was invited to the table as an illustrator to work on some rebranding for the <a href="http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Content/Pages/HOG/HOG.html" target="_blank">Harley Owners Group</a>, aka HOG. This was a long endeavor of work that was split up amongst a bunch of artists with different interpretations of what HOG is. We were broken into groups based on style differences and then set loose with themes to play off of. I kind of like this version of working because there’s enough freedom to explore within some boundaries that we can set for ourselves. Along side of the work done for HOG I also got to stay true to doing <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151651227144692&set=pb.45693569691.-2207520000.1387307309.&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-prn1%2Ft31%2F774419_10151651227144692_1295634544_o.jpg&smallsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ash3%2Ft1%2F602817_10151651227144692_1295634544_n.jpg&size=938%2C1327" target="_blank">event poster</a> work as I’d done in the past, working on Half Fast’s Burning Love event poster for their 6th annual Anti Valentines day event.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Coming up quick into <b>February</b> I was re-invited to work on a t-shirt for the <a href="http://www.garterbeltsandgasoline.com.au/about.html" target="_blank">Garterbelts and Gasoline</a> in Australia. This time I was set to outdo myself on the concept of a gal, a Olds Rocket powered auto and as always to sneak a physical rocket into the design somewhere. Just after this shirt came a second one for <a href="http://vinsettagarage.com/" target="_blank">Vinsetta Garage</a> for the Miss Autorama Pinup Calendar Contest. What I like about<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151741981599692&set=pb.45693569691.-2207520000.1387307309.&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-prn1%2F861044_10151741981599692_1915548110_o.jpg&smallsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-frc3%2F207272_10151741981599692_1915548110_n.jpg&size=2048%2C858" target="_blank"> this design</a> is we wanted to give a sense of the<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708592894692&set=pb.45693569691.-2207520000.1387307309.&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash2%2F843848_10151708592894692_5600105_o.jpg&smallsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ash3%2F549437_10151708592894692_5600105_n.jpg&size=1198%2C1198" target="_blank"> pinup</a>, but without an identity to the person who may win. Mid February I was invited to send a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150593820209692.475274.45693569691&type=3" target="_blank">CarbElectricCo lamp</a> over to New England for the Art of Speed III where it sold on opening day. One of these days I’ll just have to make a lamp for myself to keep. Wrapping up the end of February, H-D came knocking again for some design work for the 2014 line of clothing. So, I really won’t know what, if anything will end up on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151833752639692&set=pb.45693569691.-2207520000.1387307304.&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-prn1%2F905256_10151833752639692_817988828_o.jpg&smallsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-prn1%2F72659_10151833752639692_817988828_n.jpg&size=1440%2C1440" target="_blank">shelf at dealerships</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Early <b>March</b> I was set up in the tight little booth in the basement of Cobo hall for Detroit Autorama. I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the show: I love it because it’s like a mid-winter reunion with folks and friends I don’t often get to see. I hate it because it’s several days of work and I really don’t get the time to visit with those folks because I’m stuck in a 6x6 foot booth attempting to make a sale on some of my art and wares. You take a the hard concrete floor with the warm smiles of friends.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">With March came the continuation of the <a href="http://vintagetorquefest.com/" target="_blank">Vintage Torque Fest</a> posters for 2013. John Wells who runs the show as a benefit for <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/helpinghannahsheart/" target="_blank">Helping Hannahs Heart</a> has been a bud for some time and the design freedom I get from him allows for a lot of creative expression and making the show have a little different feel each year. As before we have always done multiple posters: One for Hotrods, Kustoms and Motorcycles. Along side of this there’s the coveted “Drivers Patch” for those who will take their cars, trucks and bike out in the dirt for a spin on a closed course.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In <b>April</b> I found myself taking some time out (as I’m sure I will in 2014) to get all of my tax info straight. There’s nothing like waiting until the bitter end to find out how screwed you are due to owing taxes! It was also in April Harley-Davidson came a knock, knock, knocking again with another HUGE opportunity that I was truly honored to take a stab at: <a href="http://110.harley-davidson.com/" target="_blank">The 110th Anniversary Harley-Davidson Motor Company</a> Poster. It started with three simple concepts. Two of my choosing and one that came down the ladder which was ultimately picked. By request the good folks of Advertising and Promotions wanted to see what it would look like if the 110th was crossed with Woodstock. Though the design was simple in many ways when you break it down, it also created many issues with space and dominance issues. The poster featured 3 big acts: Kid Rock, Aerosmith and Toby Keith as well as a stream of twelve additional acts and 6 sponsors. Needless to say with as many personalities and corporations involved the process of laying things out and getting them approved became a long, arduous task. The minute you move one thing, everything else needs to move with it. Many variations of the art came out, though to most of you probably didn’t notice the differences with color, scale, aspect ratio, etc. This project carried me throughout the month.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In early <b>May</b> came the annual trek to <a href="http://vintagetorquefest.com/%E2%80%8E" target="_blank">Vintage Torque Fest</a>, this year in Dubuque Iowa.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Spring didn’t come as early as hoped with the dates for the kick off show of the midwest as there was some sleet and snow happing the first day of the event but never the less the hotrods and customs made it out and a good time was had by all those attending the show. Quickly after my return home I jumped into the advertising work on John’s other show: <a href="http://www.ironinvasion.com/" target="_blank">Iron Invasion</a> in the fall. Beyond some smaller gigs and retuning of art for the 110th anniversary poster, H-D came knocking again. This time for a <a href="http://bornfreeshow.blogspot.com/2013/06/born-free-harley-davidson.html" target="_blank">give away voucher for Born-Free 5</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/943586_10151915583054692_1629338214_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/943586_10151915583054692_1629338214_n.png" width="320" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The next thing I know I’m already half way through the year and it’s <b>June</b> already! Hands down, my busiest month of the year! The first weekend of June traditionally kicks off with the <a href="http://www.sinsofsteel.com/" target="_blank">Sins of Steel</a> show for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151643790674692&set=pb.45693569691.-2207520000.1387307309.&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash3%2F775778_10151643790674692_539656978_o.jpg&smallsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-frc3%2F734719_10151643790674692_539656978_n.jpg&size=1000%2C701" target="_blank">Hotrods, Customs and Motorcycles</a>. I had to slam out some work show merch right before the show began but in the end, everything came together. I’d skipped on setting up at the show in favor of helping out. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The following weekend had been invited to take part in yet another huge honor: <a href="http://www.orionmusicandmore.com/" target="_blank">Orion Music Festival</a>: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5z85q1w5LY#t=82" target="_blank">Motorbreath Alley Art show</a>. As if you couldn’t tell up until this point in the year, I was ‘slightly’ busy with a ton of bigger corporate work and not much time for myself to generate anything personal, but I did take a little time in May to get back to building a few lamps in the barn where two of them were on display at this awesome <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151955281904692&set=pb.45693569691.-2207520000.1387306395.&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ash3%2F8687_10151955281904692_1101531007_n.jpg&size=960%2C960" target="_blank">Detroit music festival with Metallica</a>. </span></div>
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The following week, after much discussion with my counterparts in Milwaukee where I was invited to take part in a cross country “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsU9_r5VPQw" target="_blank">Ride Home</a>”, I found myself enrolled in the <a href="http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Content/Pages/learn-to-ride/learn-to-ride.html" target="_blank">Rider’s Edge - riding academy program</a>. Though the thought of a cross country trip was something I’d always wanted to do from an very early bucket list, I first had to conquer getting that pesky license to ride. Mid June I took the 4 day course and honestly, it was life changing and well worth the time. On Sunday, June 16th (Father‘s day) I had completed <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151972017734692&set=pb.45693569691.-2207520000.1387307304.&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ash2%2F1001643_10151972017734692_266309087_n.jpg&size=900%2C900" target="_blank">my testing successfully </a>and the following day I took the test at the Secretary of State to have my official license.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">By the last weekend in June, I found myself California bound for <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMMRdiwf_xI" target="_blank">Born-Free 5</a> to set up along side of my buddy John Wells in the Vintage Torque booth. I have to hand it to both Mike and Grant on the show they’ve built; it’s really a mecca of American styled vintage choppers and bobbers. The definite highlight of the trip was when a couple of good folks sought me out at the show: Karen and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152003789859692&set=pb.45693569691.-2207520000.1387306395.&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-prn1%2F11488_10152003789859692_1121740230_n.jpg&size=960%2C720" target="_blank">Willie G Davidson!</a> I was blown away and humbled that they came over to thank me for all the hard work I’d be doing for their company. It was a crazy fast trip where I got a chance to see some of my buddies from Cali that I worked on <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1273207/combined" target="_blank">Deadheads</a> with and also got the chance to attend and vend at this incredible show!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">All the while working on the Model Year 2014 branding for Harley-Davidson’s “<a href="http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Content/Pages/HD_News/Company/news.html?article=en_US/News/1836_press_release.hdnews" target="_blank">Project Rushmore</a>” - The largest scale new model launch in H-D's history and simultaneously taking any waking hours from my schedule to keep all the prep and behind the scenes work for <a href="http://www.midnightmassdetroit.com/" target="_blank">Midnight Mass Detroit</a>. June was freaking nuts and I don’t even know how I managed to keep all the balls in the air that I did.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The first week of <b>July</b> I carried on with the MY ’14 work with Harley-Davidson. This was a real time crunch with everything weighing on Midnight Mass Detroit. I remember feeling like a tick about to burst at the seems - being spread to unimaginable odds again like I was in college. The pressure of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnRfJAgRA0U" target="_blank">Project Rushmore</a> in conjunction of launching our own show was getting the best of me. The good news was the H-D work went dormant for the moment long enough to get Midnight Mass Detroit in the record books! Though we’d sold every spot in the parking lot, we still had a lot of unaccounted spots at the show. Never the less, the show went off as well as expected and we were able to donate money to our charity of choice in the end Helping Hannahs Heart. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Immediately after the show I was back to work again for<a href="http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Content/Pages/Veterans/military-riders.html?locale=en_US&bmLocale=en_US" target="_blank"> H-D with a new endeavor for the Veterans of the US military</a>. This project went several rounds as well with different interpretations of the look of the Eagle as well as the banner that was going up in local dealerships across the US for the Military Remembrance Month of November. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Every other minute spent outside of working, being a father and husband in the family was spend on two wheels. This was all in preparation to putting some miles on <a href="http://car-n-art.blogspot.com/2013/07/so-i-bought-bike.html" target="_blank">my new 2013 Softail Slim</a> to both break in myself as well as the motor. I owe a lot to my good friend Roger for helping me out, being my co-pilot and taking the time to show me the ropes beyond the classroom.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">By <b>August</b>, I was really wrapping up aspects of the trip involved in traveling from Washington to Milkwaukee for the 110th anniversary. I had a ton of prep work from contracts on the space to vend from at the show, the insurance to be set up there, poster creation for a limited run of the “celebration poster” as well as the live aspect to the show with a <a href="http://instagram.com/p/dUlxw7rUkX/" target="_blank">limited edition live silkscreen on site</a>. All the midst of this and also attempting to keep some work flowing in I was working on some side identity projects for folks, wiring some lamps for the show, arranging transportation of the motorcycles to head west, one way airfare for myself and Roger and continuing to put miles on the bike. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Soon enough I got the call that the trailer coming for the bikes was here. I’d just finished putting lock-tight on the sissy bar I built for the trip and it was time to go. When the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151972017734692&set=pb.45693569691.-2207520000.1387307304.&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ash2%2F1001643_10151972017734692_266309087_n.jpg&size=900%2C900" target="_blank">Softail</a> was picked up it had 451 miles on it that I put on, not quite half of what I needed for the break in fluids to come out. That night, I was able to obtain tickets to see one of the eight <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152027145429692&set=pb.45693569691.-2207520000.1387306395.&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-prn2%2F970953_10152027145429692_1272344081_n.jpg&size=640%2C745" target="_blank">Kid Rock</a> performances at DTE energy theatre and more importantly to me, see my identity work larger than life both on huge <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152116197179692&set=pb.45693569691.-2207520000.1387306395.&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-prn1%2F12658_10152116197179692_152120031_n.jpg&size=609%2C960" target="_blank">canvas wraps</a> as well as on a<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151755547034692&set=pb.45693569691.-2207520000.1387307309.&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash3%2F857238_10151755547034692_129423281_o.jpg&smallsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ash3%2F533236_10151755547034692_129423281_n.jpg&size=1806%2C2048" target="_blank"> jumbo screen animated</a>! Kid Rock is an excellent performer and I was really impressed with his scratch session he did in the middle of his set. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The next couple of days were spent finishing up my display items for the show and <a href="http://instagram.com/p/dXXNPgLUgC/" target="_blank">pre-packing the truck</a> before I was yet again headed off to DTW for the one way trip to Spokane, Washington. I left with as much as I could get done but two things that weighed heavy on my mind was my <a href="http://instagram.com/p/d2oH6KrUmE/" target="_blank">dog Rocket</a> was very ill with a stomach issue that was causing some messes around the house for Wendy to clean up behind in my absence. The second thing was I was yet again going to miss my son’s actual birthday again. It’s always hard to make some choices in life when you are trying to balance career and home life. Ultimately, I had made the choice to go (obviously if you have been reading along thus far).</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I’m not going to go into an abundance of details on the cross country trip we nicknamed the three-13 ride. I’d already cataloged all my notes that I’d updated along the way in a previous blog and posts to Facebook and Instagram. Read all about that here: <a href="http://car-n-art.blogspot.com/2013/09/my-hd110-ride-home-experience-from.html"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #002aa7; text-decoration: underline;">http://car-n-art.blogspot.com/2013/09/my-hd110-ride-home-experience-from.html</span></a> What I will say and have repeated many times that it was ‘ambitious’ of me to attempt. I would say I wasn’t quite as prepared to attempt this as I felt I should be, but never the less, I’m certainly glad I did it! I’d recommend to anyone who has thought long and hard about it to take a day out and ride on highways only and drain, then refill your tank 3-5 times in one direction. The next day come on back home and see how you feel: If you’re ready the next day to do it again, then the next... For a lot of folks out there who bar hop, its one thing, but serious long days in the saddle are taxing. Think about what would be easier on yourself: Figure out all the equipment you’d need up front.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In all it was 1900 miles in 4 days of riding from Spokane to Milwaukee through mountains, rain, 100 degree days, wind, gravel, bugs, twisty road as well as 100’s of miles of just straight shots with nothing but you’re thoughts and smells of the road. The goal was I had to meet up at an exact time and place with my wife at the Harley-Davidson Museum to set up for the <a href="http://110.harley-davidson.com/en_US" target="_blank">110th anniversary</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">From beginning to end of the 110th Harley-Davidson anniversary was filled with awesome experiences. The crew who put the show on at the Museum was top notch to say the least; I’d never gone to a smoother running show, hands down. I was so busy with my wife and I <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152158486069692&set=pb.45693569691.-2207520000.1387307302.&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ash3%2F998955_10152158486069692_1437183384_n.jpg&size=900%2C900" target="_blank">running the booth</a> I didn’t get much of a chance to get out and enjoy the bands, the demos, the parade or the Museum itself but the time was filled with amazing experiences and people! Some highlights from the show were meeting with folks I’d only communicated over email and phone with. Meeting more of the folks who make up Harley-Davidson MoCo. I was able to donate one of the silkscreened versions of the poster to the Museum itself for future generations to look at down the road as well, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152151637264692&set=pb.45693569691.-2207520000.1387306372.&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash3%2F1184970_10152151637264692_1289434618_n.jpg&size=960%2C960" target="_blank">Willie G asked for one for his personal collection of art</a>. Again, I was beyond humbled and overwhelmed with the experience. Another highlight was the invite to a private party after Kid Rocks performance where I got the chance to meet Bob Ritchie and thank him for all the help he brings back to Detroit. </span></div>
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<a href="https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1374208_10152233241569692_1663334360_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1374208_10152233241569692_1663334360_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The show went from late August until early <b>September</b>. On Labor day it was time to hit the rode and <a href="http://instagram.com/p/egNYfhrUmr/" target="_blank">saddle up</a> for my real ‘ride home’. Slightly worried about traffic on a holiday in Chicago, we left before the sun came up. Wendy in the truck and me back on the<a href="http://instagram.com/p/dwediyLUlW/" target="_blank"> slim</a>. The trip from Milwaukee to Detroit isn’t actually that bad in comparison to what I had been doing in previous days of riding to the event! Grand total on the trip of 5 days of riding was 2,283 miles. <a href="http://instagram.com/p/dxa9ICrUlC/" target="_blank">Not bad for a new rider :)</a></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There really wasn’t a day off either from this <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152196029184692&set=pb.45693569691.-2207520000.1387306372.&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-frc1%2F1238712_10152196029184692_1735882692_n.jpg&size=540%2C960" target="_blank">long trip</a>, it was straight back to work for me. It seems as soon as I post that I’m away from my desk working, that’s when the work begins to pile up and the requests constantly coming in. Besides the work requests, I was also able to broker a deal for <a href="http://instagram.com/p/dxa9ICrUlC/" target="_blank">my 1949 Ford Tudor Sedan</a> to head to northern California with some help from friends! I had taken the car about as far as I wanted to go with it so it was time to let it go to greener pastures and soak up some California sunshine. So part of my September was getting that old girl out the door as well. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Another highlight of September for me was issue 155 of <a href="http://www.cruzin.com.au/" target="_blank">Cruzin Magazine from Australia</a> did a <a href="https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/1006348_10152201433374692_2119407655_n.jpg" target="_blank">nice write up</a> on me in the art section! I was super stoked to not have to ‘play the game’ in order to get the press. Understanding that a lot of what happens behind the scenes with these kinds of things with ‘greasing the wheels’ to get what you want out of it, it was certainly nice to have some press based on merit alone.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">September finished up with a lot of reorganization after the trip, some more riding on the Slim and some bigger graphics jobs on a larger scale. Lastly, I was able to generate <a href="http://carnart.bigcartel.com/product/the-wrecking-crew-limited-edition-silkscreen-posters" target="_blank">a personal piece called "The Wrecking Crew"</a></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Right into <b>October</b> now it was time again for the second running of the Iron Invasion in the greater Chicagoland area. Because of set up times it was easier for myself to leave a day early and catch up with my friends of Brown Magic Paint Company. Mando came to the rescue for me on a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/167387473/hand-painted-biltwell-gringo-full-face?" target="_blank">Helmet</a> show called “Skull Canvas” at <a href="http://www.barbervintagefestival.org/" target="_blank">Barber Vintage Festival</a> by actually turning one design I had kicking around into a real deal. I was so fried from what had been going on in the past months to barely think about translating something onto the helmet. The evening I came down we hung out with his cousin and wife in the neighborhood of where the famous <a href="http://instagram.com/p/fU2ifVLUry/" target="_blank">John Wayne Gacie</a> went all psycho clown on a bunch of young men in the area. It was a little creepy to think about while over there but nothing that some good beers and Korean food wouldn’t fix. Friday it was on to the show. The weird thing about this year was how much great buzz came from year one that should have boosted attendance for this second year, but it just didn’t happen even with the extended marketing for this show with <a href="https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/540132_10152251275854692_1175946414_n.jpg" target="_blank">shout outs from sponsor Harley-Davidson on their vast social medias</a>. I blame the government shutdown on some instability as everything really looked like the perfect storm for this show.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Later in October I got the chance to yet again work on another Top Secret project for Harley-Davidson. This time, like with Rushmore, everything was closely guarded. So close that even on a air-tight non disclosure agreement (this is the thing that when people ask me “What are you working on now?” I can’t offer up much information because it’s MY ass if something leaks and can be proven to chase back to my trail) I was wasn’t allowed a name,<a href="http://bikeadvice.in/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Harley-Davidson-India-500cc-Cruiser-1.jpg" target="_blank"> a photo</a>, or anything about this new bike coming out with an entirely new platform. What I knew was it was a smaller CC bike, youth oriented, and a global project for the American born company. I was asked to provide some concepts and eventually had to put my foot down and know at least something outside of some vague descriptions of what the bike was. Eventually the code named “Project G” let down it’s guard a bit, long enough to design up a poster for the international reveal of this bike. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Early <b>November</b> found me back at <a href="http://instagram.com/p/gQNAVCrUjV/" target="_blank">DTW</a> for what I thought would be my last trip of the year. This time I was headed to <a href="http://instagram.com/p/gQr7zjLUqG/" target="_blank">Kanas City</a>, home of the Dark Customs plant line for Harley-Davidson. I got the rare opportunity to be part of the US dealership reveal of the Street 500/750 bikes at the unveiling. <a href="http://instagram.com/p/gUpjaILUkf/" target="_blank">We printed up 2000 posters</a> for the event as a give-away to the US dealers and I was onsite at the reveal as a special guest artist to sign and personalize the posters. I was again <a href="http://instagram.com/p/gUXumErUlf/" target="_blank">very honored to take part in a landmark event for HDMC</a>! It certainly not every day I get to take part in a forum like this! 700 posters were pre<a href="http://instagram.com/p/gSriNlLUoC/" target="_blank"> signed</a> as the audience of nearly 2000 people wouldn’t all have the time to stand in line just for a signature! The <a href="http://instagram.com/p/gX28HQLUkF/" target="_blank">signing</a> took place during a ‘cocktail hour’ which in reality was two hours long but my line didn’t seem to cut down until the tables were being folded up and chairs stacked! I missed out on eating so it was time to hit up local buddy <a href="http://instagram.com/p/gUfdcmLUtR/" target="_blank">Tyler</a> for what was good in his hood. <a href="http://instagram.com/p/fV2h4TrUsc/" target="_blank">Tyler</a> met me for <a href="http://instagram.com/p/gVrUGSLUrx/" target="_blank">breakfast in “Lower Bottoms”</a> - the railroad yard district which in my opinion was way cooler than the freshly multimillion re-landscaped downtown. Don’t get me wrong, <a href="http://instagram.com/p/gRT5FzLUp0/" target="_blank">Kanas City</a> is beautiful, but it’s got this appearance flavor of Disney written on in... like it was solely done to attract tourists and in turn destroyed a little local flavors. The Lower Bottoms looks to me to be unchanged and therefore has the kind of character I appreciate when traveling. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Once I returned I quickly got the notion that I clearly hadn’t spent enough time in airports or shoved into economy seating aboard an airplane (can you read my sarcasm?) This had already been an epic year for me to this point so it was time to go for broke with one show I’d been wanting to hit for years now: <a href="http://instagram.com/p/f0IGDjrUje/" target="_blank">Yokohama Mooneyes</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As soon as I’d returned from <a href="http://instagram.com/p/gL76oJLUkZ/" target="_blank">Kanas City</a> I called up John Wells again to pick his brain. Knowing it was way too late to even consider going to the show to vend (nor did I really want to as I wanted to see a show for a change) I asked him about the travel and some of his tips. After getting off the phone I started searching for flights to Japan.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I was able to find a flight with the cost of what I was comfortable with, so that pretty much seemed like it was meant to be. Next up it was booking accommodations for the stay in both Yokohama and Tokyo. With a little help from the world wide net I was able to settle in on both legs of the trip. The down side of things here in the states is that if you want to get there on time with the international date line, you need to leave on Thanks Giving day in order to be there. Not that I’m a huge turkey fan, but this would mean for me two years in a row I was missing out on the family time. The last year I was wrapped up in completing samples for the Kid Rock collaboration art for Harley-Davidson. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So with my backpack and camera bag <a href="http://instagram.com/p/hOYFW7LUoJ/" target="_blank">packed</a> I headed once again to DTW in the early hours of the morning. Once near the airport the <a href="http://instagram.com/p/hQi_mlrUqJ/" target="_blank">snow began to fall</a> more rapidly and I started to fear that my flight would be canceled. Luckily with some deicing of the flaps, we were only delayed 30 minutes from takeoff with about 5 hours in the air to LAX. Basically with the narrow timeframe of a layover to begin with and the snow delay in Detroit I basically walked off one plane and straight onto the next for another 12 hours of flying. Yeehaw....</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">After all the immigration and stops along the way of entering a new country I was able to meet up with John nearly where we projected and it was off to Yokohama. I was able to get a proper meal after about 24 hours of travel at this point in an ‘English Style’ Pub and a nightcap to send me into slumberland. <a href="http://instagram.com/p/hPA76fLUuh/" target="_blank">Rest was needed to what was about to happen</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The following day was set-up for the event which I was really only there for moral support and to snap some photos of the place without tons of people around. From about 7am to 10am we where there and then quickly <a href="http://instagram.com/p/hWmhmSrUtu/" target="_blank">John, Max Grundy and his buddy Pat and myself</a> were headed right back to Tokyo for the day.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We were certainly out of place everywhere we went: loud americans in the subways. I recall how many Japanese were staring at Max’s beard over there, not to say it’s not an impressive beard mind you, but it was as if he was wearing a ski mask to them the way they’d stared. I guess I forget that here in the states, and more specifically in Detroit that we have a pretty diverse culture and mix of people from all over, so I don’t think anyone here stares as much. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So we went all over in some pretty <a href="http://instagram.com/p/hWmze2LUuK/" target="_blank">dense shopping districts</a>. The funny thing was when I was in Japan 6-7 years ago, I’d been to this same Tokyo mall shopping for toys with my buddy Dave. I had a little bit of deja vu, or it could have been the jet lag. As it began to get dark, it was time to head back and rest. I have no idea how many miles we’d walked around through these different shopping districts, but I was feeling it for sure. I felt I was dreaming standing up at a certain point while in Tower Records. Time for sleep: tomorrow was December and Mooneyes!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>December</b> 1st kicks off with a bang! In Japan for one of the greatest Hotrod and Custom shows known around the globe. The short cab ride in unveiled some of what was about to shown on the floor with Custom Cars and Motorcycles on the approach. John and I had arrived about 2 hours before it was open to the public. This was a great chance to photograph the show unencumbered by a few thousand onlookers. The “Hero” pass was the only way to fly for sure. The only downside of this was a lot of the set up was still going on: No lights up yet and carpeting was still covered in plastic to keep it fresh. Never the less I’m thankful for the time to be able to shoot without too many people around. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">One thing of note that many folks don’t realize in the states is that its difficult for people abroad to purchase, upkeep, customize and maintain hotrods and customs, especially in Japan where space is at a premium! I’d detailed more about this when I was overseas a couple of years back at Final War in Germany: <a href="http://car-n-art.blogspot.com/2011/09/american-at-war.html"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #002aa7; text-decoration: underline;">http://car-n-art.blogspot.com/2011/09/american-at-war.html</span></a> In the past from what I understand, Mooneyes Yokohama used to ship over select Hotrods and Customs from the states in Shipping containers for the show. As years have gone on, the number of shipping containers has been reduced and not only from the stand point of ‘bang for the buck’ but also as trends change, more motorcycles came over than cars. A heavy presents of the Born-Free builders bikes were on display alongside of the builders booths as well. As for the cars, there were a handful of noteworthy vehicles I saw, but many of the Japanese plated cars were ones that were previously built in the USA and shipped over on an ebay deal. So, if you paid attention to west coast shows and magazines, chances are you’ve already seen many of the vehicles on display at Mooneyes Yokohama.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152420946679692.1073741827.45693569691&type=3" target="_blank">motorcycles</a> were really the stars of the show (sorry, car guys). Japan has been noteworthy of building some bad ass bikes for sometime from old american steel. I don’t think I’ve seen more vintage Knuckleheads, Panheads, Shovelheads. Flatheads, Ironheads and even Evo and big twins under one roof, in one day. Not to leave out vintage Indians, Triumphs, Hondas, Yamahas, Royal Enfield and weird/rare stuff in between. It was jaw dropping: any which direction you turned there was something new and unique to look at! As the show progressed and became more and more congested with patrons, I found myself feeling a little claustrophobic and wanting to see the sun and breath the air (I get a little antsy around big crowds). When I went outside there was an endless stream of vintage bikes still pulling into the show hours after it began. Where were they going? This show couldn’t possibly fit any more bikes inside these 4 walls!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I got chatting for a bit with Jenny from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150204418214692&set=a.424559214691.213877.45693569691&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash2%2F193150_10150204418214692_1331317_o.jpg&smallsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ash3%2F189086_10150204418214692_1331317_n.jpg&size=801%2C785" target="_blank">Trophy Queen</a> about it and she tipped off this newb to what was going on. Apparently there are some strict rules to vehicles being shown multiple times. So many of the bikes that had previously been seen inside the convention center in the past were still at the show, just parked in the underground structure outside. So I again grabbed my camera and headed out to see the spectacle, and I don’t tend to use that word lightly either. I was again jaw dropping inside of this parking structure: Wall to wall badass bikes, crammed in like sardines underground. I was again completely overwhelmed by the bikes!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Soon enough it was time for judging and that meant the show was nearly over. John began his battle cry of ‘Hangaku!’ (or half price/amount) and it was time to start packing it in as we had to shuttle off to Tokyo right after the show. Breakdown only took a short 20-30 minutes and we had a little hike to the rail station with a few switches along the way to check in at the Hostel in Tokyo’s used book district. John’s friend Nory was a huge help at the booth and escorted us to the hotel and then for a quick bite to eat.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The following day there were no slowdowns. I had spoke with a representative from H-D Japan while at the 110th about a potential project on the horizon so I had <a href="http://instagram.com/p/haborSrUr2/" target="_blank">a meeting</a> with them midday (sorry, no details here I can share) also in the mix was the wholesale district areas with <a href="http://instagram.com/p/he1o1qLUkP/" target="_blank">John</a> looking at new and vintage toys alike. But after all the work was done, I was stoked to see something I won’t surely forget anytime soon: <a href="http://www.robot-restaurant.com/" target="_blank">Robot Restaurant</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My good friends Roger and Abbie mentioned this Anthony Bourdain show where he’d visited Japan and went to this ‘crazy-ass restaurant with dancing girls, tanks and <a href="http://instagram.com/p/ha_vd_LUp-/" target="_blank">robots</a>.’ Say no-more my friends, just tell me where to go! With a little investigation I was able to get the name and website for this Amazing Spectacle! (hey look, there again, two words I won’t use unless I truly mean it) I don’t want to give too much away for some day you may find yourself in Tokyo, Japan... and when you are, you MUST head to the red-light district and sit in the front row of this mind-blowing dinner show. It’s rumored this area is run by the Yakuza: The organized crime syndicate (or mob) and after being there, I can say I saw it with my own eyes: missing fingers and visible tattoos are the telltales here, besides being solicited for sex in route to the location a few times with guys with ‘menus’ of women. So, you’ve been forewarned.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Waking the morning of the 3rd of December I was in a bit of a daze. I think I’d run like I did so many years prior like in college. I was only focused on packing my clothes up and getting caught up online as to what’s been happening back home with the help of a wifi connection. My flight was on time so that was the good/important news. Immediately I was updated with a tag on instagram push notification that I was tagged in a post. I knew some time back I was able to complete an online interview with <a href="http://www.flyingpistonstudios.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=86" target="_blank">Smokin’ Shutdown magazine</a> out of Berlin, but what I didn’t know was that this interview was to be printed in a<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152414677759692&set=a.10152137818259692.1073741826.45693569691&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-prn1%2F1488233_10152414677759692_198635592_n.jpg&size=719%2C477" target="_blank"> full color, 248 page hardcover book</a>! I’m stoked to be featured and as I write this blog, my copies are in transit from Germany. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">With no rest for the weary, I returned home to jump straight back into work mode on a couple of projects as well as some holiday orders to fulfill. Finally catching my breath for a moment, I wanted to sit down and finally detail some of my year in review. Knowing the year isn’t really over yet, I still wanted write something as I used to enjoy taking the time to write something, and now with adding Father to my list of things to do, I simply just don’t find the opportunities as I did in the past.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I hear when you get ready to die, your life can flash before your eyes (probably the good with the bad) but what I know is 2013 will definitely be in the highlights and I’ll look back at that ‘unlucky ’13’ very fondly. Special thanks to many folks out there who made this especially ‘lucky’ for me: Wendy & Cass, Mom & Dad, Roger & Abbie, Mike & Jenny, John & Kim, Mel, Dino, Annie, Jack, Michelle, Tyler, Thom, Paul, Willie, Karen, Bill and many more!</span></div>
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-4661075692397034422013-09-06T14:55:00.002-07:002013-09-06T15:03:20.424-07:00My #HD110 "Ride Home" experience from a fresh set of eyes<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Day 1, Ride Home:</b> left Detroit at 10am, layover in the twin cities, land in Spokane. 20 minute can ride to Lone Wolf HD to pick up the bikes, then fuel up and hit the road. Leave Washington, ride through Idaho & into Montana. Stop for the night in Butte. Today will be a lot more 'ambitious' ride.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">New rider thoughts: mountain highway roads a whole lot different than flat Michigan highway. Counter leaning vs wind and curves are an improvement point to focus on. Broke some new ground riding in rain and wind on the highway. Sore butt, sorer pride.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Day 2,</b> <b>Ride Home:</b> coming to a close. Around 600 miles (about what I'd had under my belt career on a bike in a single day) I'm sore. Butte Mt to Deadwood SD</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">New Rider thoughts on a long haul: fatigue! It's not just your body being sore: arms, neck, butt, back are one thing. Hands and feet going numb from vibrating but the most important is your mind! Unless your bike is a bagger all decked out with a booming audio system, it's a whole lot of you in your head alone time. This is what a lot of folks like about being on a bike is that alone time, but when it begins to be 12 hours of just sight and smells (I'm taking hearing out because its mostly wind and engine hum) you can start to get a little loopy. I tried singing to myself and that ended up in a new game of 'how many bugs can you eat'. I feel like knowing your strengths and weaknesses should outweigh anything else early on. As long as you are on the road and still have the ability to 'keep with it' both physically and most important, mentally - then keep at it. Things can get dangerous when both start to break down.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Day 3, Ride Home:</b> a whole lot of South Dakota! In the morning we did some touristy stuff: seeing the Crazy Horse memorial and Mt. Rushmore. The Black Hills are beautiful country to ride in and the favorite to date is Custer State Park (16A) with lots of nice scenery and crazy, tight road curves with hairpin corners to really lean the bike into. After all that it was basically a straight line across the state and landed shy of the goal by 60 miles. The heat was very taxing in leathers.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Today's new rider thoughts are about Traffic flow: it's more than just how the traffic moves down a highway. Riding a bike became a bit like white water rafting when passing trucks in the mountains and across windy plains. There's a whole lot of bucking the wind, like eddies and whirlpools you get while rafting. Even 30 to 50 car lengths back you can get into a pillow fight behind a truck and it can be intimidating. It took some time to watch the traffic flow and the conditions of road ahead to find the perfect opportunity to throttle down and pass with confidence. Once you see and feel your opportunity, watch for traffic, make your signal and muscle your way past a truck and be ready for the blasts of air bucking off that big rig. I know I slowed down my pack a few times over with this, but hey, it's a learning curve and better safe than on the pavement 800 miles from home.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Day 4, Ride Home:</b> Crossed from Minnesota to Wisconsin. For my 1000 mile service on the bike a little overdue. Now over 2k on the Softail Slim. Today we make it 'home' for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/hd110"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #002aa7; text-decoration: underline;">#hd110</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">New Rider thoughts: With so much alone time in your head, I found myself making many analogies on the road. This particular day while stopped for the 1k mile service, they changed out all the 'break in' fluids on the bike. I got to thinking about that term of breaking in. When you buy a new pair of shoes or boots, you have to break them in slowly so you don't hurt yourself, get blisters, rub the skin off. I sort of compared this with my seat. I was told many times that I didn't want to ride cross country with a springer seat. I'm slightly on the stubborn side and ignored the folks who said that to prove I could. When I rolled into the service department the first question I got is 'how's that seat?' In hindsight I hear those voices of people again saying I should have switched it back to stock, but I didn't. Breaking in is really a little give and take on both the part of the person as well as the article that we think is breaking. I think by this day and 1800 miles on the bike, it was really me who broke in as a new rider as opposed the the bike breaking in for me. I think the bike and I will find a happy medium</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Day 5, Ride Home:</b> The final putt in to Milwaukee. We didn't have all that far to travel, just a couple hundred miles that increasingly added a whole mess of traffic. We made it to the museum around 2 in the afternoon and after a quick bite at the motor, it was all work setting up my booth. I didn't get a chance to write this out as I became super busy immediately upon arrival and yesterday I was working from 7am to 10pm. If you are coming out to the HD museum, pop by and say hi! Ill be pulling some silkscreen prints here and there throughout the day exclusively printed and sold at the Carter Fine Art booth across from the AMD bike show</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">New Rider thoughts: in all the thinking time going down the road I did a lot of comparison to different topics. On the last two days I thought about 'sea legs' if you ever spent any time on a boat it's a simple comparison of cycles to boats. You really get the feel of the bike you need to ride it a lot and at different speeds to get your sea legs. You learn not only to lean with the curves but also with the wind. Take some pressure off your back and your butt. Grip the tank with your knees or kick out your knees to grab some air. When I rolled into downtown Milwaukee i found myself using my floor boards to help steer the bike by applying pressure. I was continuously making adjustments along the way to my pack and my gear to give me some points where I could get a little rest and also learned to do a little bike yoga going down the highway by laying down on the tank for a mile or two. Last night I drove my truck for the first time in a week and it was almost foreign to me and how large it was. I think that's when it really kicked in that I'd got my 'sea legs'</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>The true 'Ride Home' final day:</b> After spending multiple days at the H-D museum we packed up our booth as the rain began to sprinkle. Finished up late last night and departed early in the am on Labor Day. All things considered on the last leg, it felt easy. Was it any easier than any other day or have I become that much stronger as a rider? Who knows, but it certainly helps to have gone down a road I've been on many times before out of Milwaukee and through Chicago and straight down I-94 to Detroit. This trip is something I won't soon forget and will be something I hope to share with grand kids! 2,283 miles in all. Not too shabby for a guy who just got his 2 wheeler license</span></div>
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Along the way we'd strapped a few GoPro cameras up. Only a handful of useable footage with loose mounts and battery life being the big factor. Take a look at the Three-13 Ride</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-8062302571388439022013-07-23T08:22:00.001-07:002013-07-23T08:30:53.867-07:00So, I bought a bike<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Something I've wanted to do for a long time (that was solidified when I first got my mini bike) was to have a full sized two wheeled motorcycle.
Lots of consideration went into the thought process of what I wanted to purchase: New vs Old, Foreign vs Domestic, Form vs Function.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(NOTE: In my ramblings, I include my opinion, which may not be yours. Neither of us are right, or wrong. Some folks like Vanilla and others like Chocolate ice cream, I'm just giving my opinions here)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>New vs Old:</b> I love older things at heart! My father once said that anything made after 1945 was crap and in someways, I tend to agree. Things (nearly all things) made before WW2 were really designed to be build and rebuild; serviceable for years to come. It's the reason many old vehicles are still on the road outside of their cool design, it's because they can be! We can't say that about much build after the WW2 as America became a disposable society, but I'll leave that alone at this point as I could go on and ON for some time about that! So, the fact that I love old and I think that vintage bikes have a lot of appeal, I also have this other side of me that knows really how much "free time" I actually have, which is basically none! Since my son came along in my life nearly 4 years ago, I needed to change some of my behavior on where time is spent and whom I spend it with. I certainly didn't want to be the hermit in the garage who his son never got to know or understand. The proof is really in the pudding; if you follow my other blog you will see a lack of posts from a few years back about the <a href="http://gowcart.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Gow Cart project</a>. It's not that I've abandoned the whole thing, it's just on extended hiatus while I concentrate on my career and my family. At this point in my life, I'd like to spend more time enjoying things than laboring on things. Don't get me wrong, I love to tinker and make things my own, but for the sake of a bike, I just wanna ride it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx59wjYyl6w775ac263LMC_Bgorc8h_CKNMHuwQcEmisHPmxE1NRi11TvYNBGfHwGmNyfZsI5nPEIJFvowCv3A5Uo2RCimMXmWgdfqcx5iC5tYiCAU8C0-G45_rfvQCMHvqVS9gLqP__o/s1600/52wr1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx59wjYyl6w775ac263LMC_Bgorc8h_CKNMHuwQcEmisHPmxE1NRi11TvYNBGfHwGmNyfZsI5nPEIJFvowCv3A5Uo2RCimMXmWgdfqcx5iC5tYiCAU8C0-G45_rfvQCMHvqVS9gLqP__o/s400/52wr1.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bikes that qualified as attractive to me would be in the H-D family are the late forties early fifties WR, EL and FL; even the military WLA or WLD.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSrJhuLsbnUUHqZE69fhOKgJvd8tJhHVlWK5ZqdI9HMpDILIQ1dvtBR_0l2S_qn5pnNtZ5lg_dBpW_9T_cH0X9WPsTl4yVrRBsLFcOy7GNksLbOoo9bVN3GoIvEjL4okl79GXjyG6lpI/s1600/600936_620038831358842_1353392404_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSrJhuLsbnUUHqZE69fhOKgJvd8tJhHVlWK5ZqdI9HMpDILIQ1dvtBR_0l2S_qn5pnNtZ5lg_dBpW_9T_cH0X9WPsTl4yVrRBsLFcOy7GNksLbOoo9bVN3GoIvEjL4okl79GXjyG6lpI/s400/600936_620038831358842_1353392404_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hfcAZE4Y6fI5rGzWDA3ClNbk-O-nQ8P62-VrdPxBM02qvcXuBYgjqcBFaCB4CISHdxm36_iBSRLppKRg_AFYQyM9hyphenhyphenGKSMw2QgxPTBC7BoPzEj-FBcGL11XmJga8fqVpbMwRFszzgz8/s1600/harley_davidson__fl_1200_panhead_1949_2_lgw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hfcAZE4Y6fI5rGzWDA3ClNbk-O-nQ8P62-VrdPxBM02qvcXuBYgjqcBFaCB4CISHdxm36_iBSRLppKRg_AFYQyM9hyphenhyphenGKSMw2QgxPTBC7BoPzEj-FBcGL11XmJga8fqVpbMwRFszzgz8/s400/harley_davidson__fl_1200_panhead_1949_2_lgw.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So knowing that I have little time for projects, I pretty much ruled out an old bike and settled on the concept of push the button and head down the road. Let's not forget why we build things: it's to enjoy the fruits of the labor! For the New vs Old battle, <b>New wins</b>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Foreign vs Domestic:</b> This was a bit of a no-brainer for me, but I will admit several years back that I found myself at a new motorcycle trade show and spent a lot of time sitting on the seat of a Triumph Thruxton. For being a 6'2" 200 lb dude, I think I rule out a lot of vehicles based on my size. The nice thing about the Thruxton outside of the looks of the bike was I felt it fit me physically where I was comfortable with my feet on the ground for stop signs/lights. I took a lot of literature away about that bike and headed to the Harley-Davidson display to check out the cruisers. Overall the same price point was going to put me into a Sportster platform which I felt I was a little too big for (lanky here).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM610BPPwVqw0aoZQNEsxHOO8k3WZtRbemjUpFrC10Kc69BIHsfnQ5ih2uxUOLEo4xCVy_DC9xRtVLxdWoMbk3_Z7TqHwFgujzGoOXYzZyvtec3KcGvFcz3rpD-MyvL7MIt_44ex7mt-E/s1600/Triumph_Thruxton_900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM610BPPwVqw0aoZQNEsxHOO8k3WZtRbemjUpFrC10Kc69BIHsfnQ5ih2uxUOLEo4xCVy_DC9xRtVLxdWoMbk3_Z7TqHwFgujzGoOXYzZyvtec3KcGvFcz3rpD-MyvL7MIt_44ex7mt-E/s400/Triumph_Thruxton_900.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A little while later I was asked to do some work for Harley-Davidson Motor Company in Milwaukee and developed a relationship with them. It was at this point it became a no-brainer. As I did with Ford Motor Company (purchasing my 2005 F-150), I strongly believe in supporting the home team when they are the ones commissioning you and paying you. I'll admit there are definitely some very nice bike out there from other foreign manufacturers, from design to engineering, but I have to support local in my case. Case closed, <b>Domestic wins</b>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Form vs Function:</b> This is something as a designer I battle with all the time. The true marriage between the two is the highlight of any designer or restyler. When someone looks at any designed object you will often see something that doesn't seem to fit or looks out of place. This usually falls into one of these two categories: Form or Function. Some items are added purely for esthetics where others are purely function. When you look at any man made object and identify something as 'wrong' its because it's overly executed in decorative form or tacked on by an engineer for function. Either can be bad if they don't work the two together! I think a lot of motorcycles have this issue, especially when the owner busts open a catalog of chrome doohickies to add to their ride. When looking at custom bikes one of the most attractive features to me is a hard tail (lack of rear shocks present for those unfamiliar with the term) Many bikes have chromed rear shocks right from the factory which call more attention to them which I feel is that bad marriage of form and function together. Yes, shocks make for a more comfortable ride (function), but chroming them to a mirror finish (form) I feel is drawing attention in the wrong direction.
So knowing I like the hard tail look, but still didn't want to beat up my back and kidneys, I directed my attention to the softail, thus narrowing my scope.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUJZdFC0FEtoY5qT7xWEOtWM9i0li6911fNApyZlSVnt38m80etN1eEPYolYQyWt-UPBXtkZm53nrdlhuLsQ-F5iAZgo7wVp0BepOAjzagS-v_nivZ7Bish1N2LIKYbxa440zO6wGfaw/s1600/Softail_Slim_FLS_R_0000_vivid-black-1024x682.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUJZdFC0FEtoY5qT7xWEOtWM9i0li6911fNApyZlSVnt38m80etN1eEPYolYQyWt-UPBXtkZm53nrdlhuLsQ-F5iAZgo7wVp0BepOAjzagS-v_nivZ7Bish1N2LIKYbxa440zO6wGfaw/s400/Softail_Slim_FLS_R_0000_vivid-black-1024x682.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">From the get-go on current model years I was very drawn to the Softail Slim. I couldn't quite put my finger directly on it, but it's minimal styling and 'bobberesque' qualities are what drove me towards it. I felt it would have been the modern interpretation of what I'd want to do to a bike if I needed to make it my own. Many of the old cues of the bikes I looked at when first deciding on if I was going Old vs New were there. Even some of the things I enjoy in four-wheel hot rods were there. Later, I learned why. I loved the stubby fenders, the "brawler" front end (sometimes referred to as 'punchy' overseas because the reduced rake on the front forks is reminiscent of a boxers closed, defensive stance in his arms) the mix of polished vs wrinkle finish in the whole bike. I love the laced wheels to the tail lights that reminded me of Ford's 1937 bullet lights on a smaller scale.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A little while later, while at Born-Free 5 I got a chance to meet Casey Ketterhagan who I associated as a Hot Rodder from the Cheaters Car Club in Milwaukee. Casey has since moved on, but the spirit of how he looks at bikes is the same way that Hot Rodders and Custom builders look at restyling cars. What I came to learn was Casey was the lead designer in the Softail Slim bike.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What Casey told me was when he was approached H-D told him to build a bike he'd want to ride. So being in the same vein as Casey, I can now see why I was immediately attracted to this particular bike! It's got true Hot Rod spirit in it.</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Making it your own;</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Everyone wants something unique, something of their very own. Still trying to stay true to what I was attracted to on this particular bike, I still try and marry form and function. The hard part comes in with making a bike more functional for carrying things you may need along the way without again destroying the look of the bike. Some people are really into bags on bike, I for one, especially in the world of softails don't like the looks of bags on them. Based on the nature of the swing arm rear, bags need to sit higher than on other frames in the H-D family. This is something I'm dealing with now and part of that is identifying how I intend on using the bike itself. A motorcycle will never be a pick-up truck, nor should they be. That's the reason I own a pick-up! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZG-x4lDFT2zROsAqGgikIAWZLme7HHKWvRcSVBCpmvAQzucpzegXvZTwsiT0dmBhv5hnnjYwqJqQOWGmeCz7YVqB7DNqPqF4qUire7SjDZNhq0xv9MspkIwt1GvS_6engikE8K5IbPRs/s1600/1001393_10152050502724692_1490789862_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZG-x4lDFT2zROsAqGgikIAWZLme7HHKWvRcSVBCpmvAQzucpzegXvZTwsiT0dmBhv5hnnjYwqJqQOWGmeCz7YVqB7DNqPqF4qUire7SjDZNhq0xv9MspkIwt1GvS_6engikE8K5IbPRs/s320/1001393_10152050502724692_1490789862_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Part of the restyling I want to do is to add a sissy bar that I will have something to strap things to also while relocating the license plate from the side to the center and also adding a third tail light more at a four wheeled view point. Overall, it's about proportion in anything that deals with design and overall I feel the Softail Slim was done right! The insert is a 20" sissy I'd been restyling to make it more functional for myself and also subtracting the folding stock license plate from the original design. I had originally thought I'd add an actual 1937 Ford taillight to the bar, but after further review and some mock up, I wanted something smaller to fit the scope of the bar and bike. In the photo I have a Biltwell Model B taillight which fits the look on the scale and also contains the license plate light required here in Michigan.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For now, after I get the sissy bar back from the powder coater, I'll be just doing the simple mods of hooking this up and then ride it. I've got plenty of time to make this my own and change things over the years if I choose.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So that's my story. I know to some folks who maybe reading this by comparing a Softail Slim to the late forties early fifties WR, EL and FL's would be like comparing a PT Cruiser to a Chrysler Airflow. Make no mistake, I know it's apples and oranges. I just made what I believe was the right choice for me, right now. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hope you enjoyed the read. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-35567550924717732552013-01-29T11:29:00.001-08:002013-01-30T06:56:42.701-08:00Two American Icons get in bed together, now its up to you to turn them on <embed src='http://media.prnewswire.com/FlexPlayer/jwplayer/player.swf' height='288' width='512' allowscriptaccess='always' allowfullscreen='true' flashvars="&controlbar=over&file=http%3A%2F%2Forigin-qps.onstreammedia.com%2Forigin%2Fmultivu_archive%2FPRNA%2FENR%2FFX-MM49559-20130128-01.mp4&image=http%3A%2F%2Forigin-qps.onstreammedia.com%2Forigin%2Fmultivu_archive%2FPRNA%2FENR%2FFX-MM49559-20130128-01_SNAP.jpg&plugins=viral-2h&skin=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.prnewswire.com%2FFlexPlayer%2Fjwplayer%2Fskin%2Fen.xml&viral.description=This%20is%20the%20video%20description&viral.functions=share%2Cembed&viral.pluginmode=FLASH&viral.title=This%20is%20the%20video%20title"/>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As a few of you may know, I got a chance to work with Harley-Davidson a a few projects at the ass end of 2012. Most of them are still double top secret, but this one just got fully unveiled. As a Detroit artist I was invited exclusively to work on a brand merger between Kid Rock and Harley-Davidson for the new Rebel Soul tour art. At the point where I entered the gig, there was no deal set in stone and the art for the tour was going to make it live or die. So, hey Kev, no pressure, man... Right?!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Over the course of the Thanksgiving holiday week I was tasked to come up with concept art for the project. In 6 days I generated 22-24 pieces of art (you can never call me lazy) but the one you see Bob wearing here was the first idea and my favorite one of them all, too, so I’m glad we think alike. I wanted to do a sort of interpretation of the “Deaths Head” design from -you-know-who- but more modern and from the front. I incorporated what I thought Bob’s hair might do riding down the road. Of course there was the aspect of Americana that had to be in there from both parties, but I just couldn’t bring myself to doing yet another bald eagle!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The stress really started to overcoming me within a few days... this wasn’t just a logo here, or show flyer there; It was a chance to try and do something great and bust out of some obscure structure that I’ve placed myself in. I pulled 12-15 hour days, including all of Thanksgiving to get the work load done to my liking. At the point where I sent it off I was a wreck. I really hopped that I just didn’t kill some major deal for folks and in turn commit artist suicide by not being up to snuff. It was time have a drink to settle my nerves.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It was worth every minute I put in to have them come back to me with nothing to change. A tag line was added by Kid Rock to the bottom of the art, but overall, it is how you see it. Both American Super Powers were happy with the art I made and that made me grin!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Now, as many of you could probably guess, this isn’t going to gain me much in the way of personal notoriety; I was the hired gun to make both parties happy. You won’t see my name on this, nor will I guess I’ll ever get a shout out from Harley-Davidson, nor Kid Rock anywhere. So needless to say, I kinda have to toot my own horn if anyone ever wants to know “who did that?” </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">At least you can say “I know who did that, and he’s a pretty okay-ish kinda fellow”</span></div>
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<span class="field-content" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">KID ROCK AND HARLEY-DAVIDSON LAUNCH FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND COLLABORATION DURING 110TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR</span></div>
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In its most thrilling and globally epic anniversary celebration to date, Harley-Davidson today announced an exclusive partnership with legendary musician and ‘American Badass’ Kid Rock, including a Saturday night performance for the company’s 110th Anniversary celebration in Milwaukee over this Labor Day weekend.<br />
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The first-of-its-kind partnership brings together two legendary American rebels and names Harley-Davidson as a title sponsor of Kid Rock’s Rebel Soul tour, which kicks off Feb. 2, 2013, in Kansas City. Harley-Davidson plans to offer fans unique experiences at each of the 60 planned stops during the Rebel Soul tour. The tour sponsorship is just one aspect of the overarching relationship, which will extend from concerts to retail promotions.<br />
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“What’s not to love about Harley?” said Kid Rock. “They are the backbone of American culture, the flagship American brand. I am honored and excited to partner with this legendary icon that has helped to define American freedom at home and abroad. In 110 years no one has done a better job of representing America – there is NOTHING that screams America like Harley-Davidson.”<br />
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A unique element of the partnership is an exclusive line of limited-edition, co-branded Rebel Soul merchandise featuring a line coined by Kid Rock: “I can’t hear you over the rumble of my freedom.” Fans will be able to purchase concert-specific merchandise at each show, as well as an exclusive line of merchandise at participating Harley-Davidson dealerships across the U.S. This is the first time either brand has offered such an extensive line of co-branded merchandise.<br />
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“Kid Rock puts on a great show and embodies a lot of what Harley-Davidson and our fans stand for – freedom, independence, self-expression and the rebel spirit,” said Harley-Davidson Chief Marketing Officer Mark-Hans Richer. “We’re excited to take an unprecedented ride with him during the Rebel Soul tour.”</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-9854366695309074112012-12-29T13:06:00.000-08:002012-12-29T13:06:42.486-08:00Peeking out from under a rock 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Another year has gone by and it's time to peek out from under the rock and touch base with the outside world. 2012 has been a busy year for me on a personal level with a lot of work that I've got under my belt. I currently don't have the energy to bust out my favorites over the last year as I think it may take me too long to really review everything that I've done; nor is it fair to highlight some work I've done for others as opposed to work that I'm not highlighting being interpreted as bad or less than favorable on a personal level. </div>
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<a class="ig-b- ig-b-v-24" href="http://instagram.com/kevencarter?ref=badge" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span class="Apple-style-span">Sadly, I haven't had a whole lot of time for myself in personal art or otherwise projects. The big project that I've set aside for myself hasn't been finished yet. That is my studio space that I slaved on for far too long. The studio space has been something that is both needed around here for my room in the house with a 3 year old as well as a space to call my own. I posted a lot of photos and updates over the summer months of the progress that was made (mostly on </span><a class="ig-b- ig-b-v-24" href="http://instagram.com/kevencarter?ref=badge" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Instagram" src="//badges.instagram.com/static/images/ig-badge-view-24.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span">) </span></div>
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I'm not even super enthralled with <a href="http://instagram.com/kevencarter" target="_blank">Istagram</a> as whole with the issues of the photos possibly being used in the conjunction with ads for companies beyond my will. I know they recently stepped back from this, but I still don't like at any given moment the double edged sword that is social media can be swung back at us. i did also recently sign up for a more seemingly friendly version of this whole stupid craze on <a href="https://www.pheed.com/carnart#qp,all,all" target="_blank">Pheed</a>. I don't know how much I'll be doing on any of this because I'm really not into the virtual experience over the real visceral version. I've really even sort of abandoned the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Car.N.Art.LLC" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page after a couple of uncool things happened there with the Pay to Play ads for those with a fan page and also the same kinda sharing of images without implied or expressed permission given. For those who don't know, unless I want to pay facebook for them to show my updates, they can be buried in a popularity contest among those who are "trending"… Christ on a stick! Here I was thinking that middle/High School Bullshit ended 20+ years ago… It's just in a new form with social medias. </div>
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I really don't care if I'm "trending" or not. I don't care if I get a billion hits in a day. It is nice to get likes and feedback, but if I don't, my day isn't ruined. My time since my son came along is pretty important to me to work on things for others as well as myself. I will pipe up when I can or want to, but I just don't feel like I have time to entertain so many social medias when I'd rather spend it making new images. </div>
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Okay, I think I said my peace on the social media side. I'm not ignoring it really, just not playing along as much as I used to. So here I am writing a blog… Am I the last one still writing blogs? Probably! I just can't get out everything I want to say in 420 characters or less. </div>
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In theory there is supposed to be a couple of articles coming out with myself included in the form of print, but I haven't seen anything as of yet. I suspect that 2013 will pop a little more in that department. Sometimes those who write the articles for magazines want you to advertise with them and in exchange for your ad dollars, they will write about you. I don't have the time to play games like this either nor do I have the funds to advertise. Honestly, I get enough calls, texts, emails, etc about work that I fear what would happen if I did put out an ad in a major magazine?! I would probably have to let a lot of people down as I have been recently… which leads me to why there is a Harley-Davidson #1 up there at the top of the page.</div>
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As some of you know, at the end of October I got a call from some folks at Harley-Davidson corporate to come over and chat with them about some work. The chats went well and I've been rather busy working on some designs for them (and others) from the beginning of November up until recently when the shutdown for holiday break happened. During this time I got a lot of smoke signals from people requesting work and such and I simply just haven't had a moment to clear my head or catch my breath on designs, so I've been sorta backlogging multiple jobs until 2013. This could skunk me but I'm really just one guy here working away and I need time to get back to those who've written me. I've had in about 4+ weeks of work with H-D which has been a fun experience with a lot of room for experimentation and exploration! Unfortunately, I can't show you anything at the moment because I don't own the images like I do for others that I'm working on. I can and will "share" on social medias when work of mine becomes public (hopefully something as soon as January '13) but I'm really under some strict non-disclosure agreements that I'm not going to break because I like working for H-D!</div>
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As for what 2013 has in store for me? I have no idea at this point, but I'm pretty excited to look into the future, rather than revisit the past. 2012 has been so overwhelming that I hope to breath a little in 2013. So, hang tight with me here, or on your favorite social media and I'll do my best to update when I can. </div>
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Cheers from this Birthday Boy (yes, 29 years old again!)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-78186986353566343602012-10-02T09:46:00.001-07:002012-10-02T09:47:13.635-07:00Iron Invasion podcast interview with Car-N-Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'll keep it short because I can be long winded at times… I had a chance to sit down and do a rare interview with Tiny, from <a href="http://tinyskustoms.blogspot.com/">Tiny's Kustoms</a>, <a href="http://www.driventelevision.com/">Driven Kustom Culture</a> and <a href="http://www.frictioninthestatic.com/">Friction in the Static</a> radio show about the Iron Invasion. I spent some time reminiscing about the Hunnert Car Pile-up and explain what you can expect above and beyond that experience with the <a href="http://ironinvasion.com/">Iron Invasion</a>. I loved being able to chat with an audience that already understands what to expect from most shows so I didn't have to explain all the normal parts to expect at these types of shows. It's all in my own words, no scripts, not over produced just all the good nitty-gritty on the show.<br />
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The interview begins about 23 minutes into the show, but you should definitely listen to the whole show and the segment on E-15<br />
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If you are on the fence of going, I hope you'll listen and hear the whole idea behind Iron Invasion and why this show will be a fun and unique experience vs what you may already know about Car/Kustom/Hot Rod/ Culture events.<br />
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It's episode #136<br />
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<a href="http://frictioninthestatic.podbean.com/">http://frictioninthestatic.podbean.com/</a><br />
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Thanks again, Tiny for the opportunity!<br />
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KevenAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-46856214290593364182012-09-19T10:25:00.002-07:002012-09-19T10:25:49.429-07:00RIP Hunnert Car Pile-Up, Introducing The Iron Invasion!<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I remember at a young age attending a funeral, my mother telling me that even when someone passes, new life springs forth to replace it. </span>As in life, so shall it be with kick ass, pre-sixty-four events:</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I’d first heard about the Hunnert Car Pile-Up around 2003, a few years after it had began and thought I’d like to attend an event like this. The way it was articulated to me was a no frills, no trophies, good old fashion get together car show with like-minded folks who enjoy the cars and not the california duster - mirrors under the cars kinda show. There are plenty of shows out there with folks boasting about having factory air in their tires with every nut and bolt clocked into picture perfect position (say that three times fast!)</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">After attending the first time in Morris in ’05, I fell in love with the show. Cars parked in animal barns. Everyone needed to come through the fresh mud in the deep tracks off the byway. It wasn’t pertinacious, it was real.</span></div>
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<a href="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/2620_76439504691_6491487_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/2620_76439504691_6491487_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/2620_76439549691_3492456_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/2620_76439549691_3492456_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As years went on, occasionally I’d attend as a vendor and other times as a spectator and even come to drive my ’49 Ford the 650 mile round trip to Morris the last year it was there from Detroit. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I think a little something was lost the last couple of years after it moved out of Morris, IL. As you all know, the show wasn’t born there, like a potted plant a show can only grow so big before there is no more room to grow. I think the Chrome Czars also knew that moving it from Morris was going to loose a little something. Morris was a cool, little town that seemingly let the hot rodders get away with flame shows in the streets and a good deal of freedom that came along with this home-grown show. </span></div>
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<a href="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/2620_76439534691_8192753_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/2620_76439534691_8192753_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">After a 10 year run, the time came for a bow out for the show. I totally get why. Having worked on several shows in the past and present, there comes a time to end on a good note rather burn out and fizzle and still make room for someone else to reinvent the show with a fresh take and added events and features. </span></div>
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<a href="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/2620_76439544691_4082101_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/2620_76439544691_4082101_n.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Lets face it, this show was special to many of us. It was unique in the laid back aspects of it and won’t soon be forgotten by anyone who’s ever attended. So knowing October is around the corner, I know many folks out there get the itch to start migrating toward Illinois for a show. Instead of showing up to Grundy County Fairgrounds with a funeral cut flowers to lay in the favorite parking spot in the shade, it’s time to get your ride ready for the natural successor to the Pile-up: The Iron Invasion!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">John Wells, the creator of Vintage Torque Fest was past the torch (or rather given the blessing by the Chrome Czars) to the area and the date to bring new life to the eleven year old concept. If you haven’t attended Torque Fest in Iowa the last few years, you are really missing out. John’s approach to putting on a show is simple: Make it big, special and most importantly, make it MOVE!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A LITTLE UNKNOWN HISTORY of THE IRON INVASION:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">John Wells approached me early on to get my impressions on the concept. Over the course of the last year we’ve shot calls, emails, texts and smoke signals back and forth about what we like in shows, and what’s gotta go by the wayside. John vends events around the globe so he’s really got the concepts together for what means success.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As I sit here I can not recall the original name that John Wells surmised for the event but it contained “Torque” ,“Vintage”, “Fest” in some combination. I remember being on the phone with him as he was attempting to put it together and at the time I couldn’t nail it down in my head. No sooner did I hang up the phone then I got some instant clarity on the title. I sent John a text with 5 different titles and he fell in love with “the Iron Invasion”. Quickly after giving the show the name, I was quested to come up with a definitive logo type for the show. I had a pretty clear idea of what I wanted to do. By combining the idea of a map compass to show people coming across the mid-west (and beyond) and an iron cross, the brand was established.</span></div>
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<a href="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/307723_10150418216069692_5042280_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/307723_10150418216069692_5042280_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Where many folks out there where used to the drill of packing a cooler full of their favorite adult beverages and a lawn chair to plop their asses in, waiting for the select panel of judges to come by and possibly get an award, The Vintage Torque shows make this more than the casual viewer car show events with Dirt track laps, plenty of bands to fill the day, grass roots awards made and presented by attending car clubs to THEIR favorite pick, art show for the collectors, tons a great vendors from both coasts and lastly, all at a very VERY affordable price to attend. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Because of these facts, The Iron Invasion is an event you will definitely want to be part of the first one, if for nothing else - bragging rights down the road. </span></div>
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<a href="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/551622_10151393457404692_1900990702_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/551622_10151393457404692_1900990702_n.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Here’s the breakdown of the show schedule:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">FRIDAY:</span></div>
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<li style="font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Later that night - Bands at the Fairgrounds</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">7 pm - Pearls Mahone</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">8 pm - Adam Lee and the Dead Horse Sound Company</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">9 pm - L'Assassins</span></li>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">SATURDAY:</span></div>
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<li style="font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Gates Open to Public at 8:00 am (Pre registered vehicles can get in 30 minutes early)</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Retro Reel Cinema Building Starts at 9:00 am - this building will showcase vintage drag racing, b movie clips, and vintage stock car racing clips.</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Childrens Vintage Fashion Parade 10:15am</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Pin Up Contest 10:30 am</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Drivers Meeting - 11:15 am</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Do It Yourself Stunt Show - 11:30 am (runs throughout the day)</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Hot Rod Hucksters 11:30 am</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Adam Lee & The Dead Horse Sound Company - 1:00 pm</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Voodoo Kings Flame Show - 1:45 pm</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Wayne "The Train" Hancock- 3:30 pm </span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Merlin Award/Car Club Picks - 5:30 pm</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Buildings Close at 6 pm</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Voodoo Kings Flame Show Reprise - 6:15 pm</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Afterdarks close out the show! </span></li>
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<a href="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/532711_10151169964694692_281341566_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/532711_10151169964694692_281341566_n.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Take a look at the promo video to get all the flavor</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/YiciJ0slWuM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">If you still feel you need to pack that lawn chair, I guess do it. But I’m tell you knowing what to expect from John and Vintage Torque Fest, you’ll only need the edge of that seat!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">For further info, head on over to <a href="http://www.ironinvasion.com/"><span style="font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #002aa7; text-decoration: underline;">www.ironinvasion.com</span></a>.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Oct 5-6 McHenry County Fairgrounds 1050 Country Club Rd, Woodstock, IL 60098 </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-74187241958389726672012-07-23T10:11:00.001-07:002012-07-23T10:11:43.687-07:00Coupon :: CarbElectricCo.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-41293472437936905102012-07-04T05:23:00.002-07:002012-07-04T05:24:23.904-07:00Happy 4th of July, USA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://theforgottenman.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Old_American_Flag_1_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://theforgottenman.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Old_American_Flag_1_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Remembering that it's the 4th of July. We are the land of the free; home of the brave.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Free means to be independent, and enjoy personal/political liberties.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Brave means to defy; challenge; dare; possessing or exhibiting courage or courageous endurance.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">But always remember we here in the USA are United: made into or caused to act as a single entity, in harmony.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Our preset as Americans is to be individual and defy, yet act as a singularity in harmony.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Use this as you see fit. Be respectful to one another. Happy 4th of July, USA.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-32238707216290610442012-06-13T08:33:00.000-07:002012-06-13T08:33:02.789-07:00Clockwork Collaborative<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/206672_140965679310730_6531740_n.jpg" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/206672_140965679310730_6531740_n.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both !important; display: block !important; height: auto; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; max-width: 721px;" /></a>A fun project I've been working on with my fellow college alumni, <a href="http://ericfreitas.com/" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Eric Freitas</a>. If you don't know the Clockwork of Eric Freitas, you should check it out. Super impressive, laborious and beautiful aesthetic which often gets categorized under steampunk. So, at the end of this month Eric has a few time pieces headed to NYC in SoHo for a show called Steampunkinetics, running from June 23rd to Sept 2nd.</span></div>
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<img class="align-full" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/217710_140966235977341_4609870_n.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both !important; display: block !important; height: auto; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; max-width: 721px;" /></div>
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This clock, named Mech. No.7, is a massive piece withover 1000 man hours into making every part. The thing I admire most about Eric's work is that where many people who fall into the steampunk aesthics make many trips around garage sales and Home Depot to find their pieces of construction of art, Eric makes it all himself. At one point during the construction of this clock I was hanging around his shop bs'ing with him and started playing on his baby lathe making screws for this piece to help out, and because of pride, he didn't use them because he wanted to say he did it all himself.</div>
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When the concept of the show came up some good 6 months back Eric was very concerned about hanging this near 100 lbs clock on the wall of this gallery. A lot can go wrong if it should happen to fall or not line up on the studs of the gallery. With too much to risk, I offered to build a massive structure for the massive clock.</div>
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<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/2IKDGu8JH110YPSgEX0JiMgTEDwxVe3Y7jkDEGXDsXYherRGg7s0hqfKkaO7KXwvlmRRegtZe*bpxFnOuXNdOlB-RAJ-ZEas/wallrender.PNG" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_self"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img class="align-full" src="http://api.ning.com/files/2IKDGu8JH110YPSgEX0JiMgTEDwxVe3Y7jkDEGXDsXYherRGg7s0hqfKkaO7KXwvlmRRegtZe*bpxFnOuXNdOlB-RAJ-ZEas/wallrender.PNG?width=750" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both !important; display: block !important; height: auto; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; max-width: 721px;" width="750" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/*rJKjpN1JdQez0nbx6K3-pWerG*WCqfFrc2jAc2L05oGT2YZ3FF2HALuxWsOjhvFglxFtqfvAxIDIq1mu71h1MiP0xPMa9Gd/kicks.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_self"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img class="align-full" src="http://api.ning.com/files/*rJKjpN1JdQez0nbx6K3-pWerG*WCqfFrc2jAc2L05oGT2YZ3FF2HALuxWsOjhvFglxFtqfvAxIDIq1mu71h1MiP0xPMa9Gd/kicks.JPG?width=750" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both !important; display: block !important; height: auto; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; max-width: 721px;" width="750" /></span></a></div>
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Where Eric works in brass, my gig is steel. To not compete with the look of the clock, we kicked around many ideas of a simple, overbuilt frame work with vintage casters to help move it around. I kinda wanted to take this much further than he did, but also didn't want competing visuals in the end between the clock and display. The concept visually was that the clock was extracted from some old victorian home by chipping out the wall, then suspended between to I-beams. Overall, this beast is more than 8 feet tall and over 4 feet wide. </div>
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So, the shop picture isn't the best since it's just a quickie iphone nab, but I know this thing is going to be one of the stars of the show in NYC.</div>
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For more info on the show, visit: <a href="http://afanyc.com/press-release-steampunkinetics/" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://afanyc.com/press-release-steampunkinetics/</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-10575828325607159002012-06-03T10:50:00.000-07:002012-06-04T05:47:03.834-07:00Car-N-Art Posters just released onlineNot everyone gets to hit all the great events, I understand. This doesn't mean you shouldn't have the opportunity to pick up the great event posters!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIG9Iumt4GHlsQPFUr3zGV4w8NTSx3xrBvltVuTNcAhlzwxPa2ekNIl1X9a3NH5gi-SaiJ35Dw40-DBBOjYNbiFfyNmShbs0CctuqHYF6B73EA7bSv9GyARamaZvZQfHuasaeB0qAiZVs/s1600/2012_VTF_posters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIG9Iumt4GHlsQPFUr3zGV4w8NTSx3xrBvltVuTNcAhlzwxPa2ekNIl1X9a3NH5gi-SaiJ35Dw40-DBBOjYNbiFfyNmShbs0CctuqHYF6B73EA7bSv9GyARamaZvZQfHuasaeB0qAiZVs/s400/2012_VTF_posters.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Vintage Torque Fest 2012: Only a few remain, grab them up here</div>
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<a href="http://carnart.bigcartel.com/product/vintage-torque-fest-2012-3-poster-set-11-x-17">http://carnart.bigcartel.com/product/vintage-torque-fest-2012-3-poster-set-11-x-17</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dyjFezqXZsGo0b3DQ5vhFXGvVrgTaJKManCmVX79xGIiyKQkfdikHChac36f14XWf8G50XHihaAsE8VcD-jFBAZDJXLapeF4VwyHVEdPDSu8CDE2kBhfJNSA1NsYBHZRCAStKyApfJ8/s1600/proof.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dyjFezqXZsGo0b3DQ5vhFXGvVrgTaJKManCmVX79xGIiyKQkfdikHChac36f14XWf8G50XHihaAsE8VcD-jFBAZDJXLapeF4VwyHVEdPDSu8CDE2kBhfJNSA1NsYBHZRCAStKyApfJ8/s400/proof.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sins of Steel Motor City Mayhem: Sofa Sized prints. few remain, grab them up here:</div>
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<a href="http://carnart.bigcartel.com/product/sins-of-steel-2012-25x39-sofa-sized-limited-50-prints">http://carnart.bigcartel.com/product/sins-of-steel-2012-25x39-sofa-sized-limited-50-prints</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMxkbacaDW2oPAl1u6tbzmweIp9Sp6bwDDh5NE3M8M-73iIliNJxSy3r0RNtA55cNfXzuz_hEz2HBTp6iL-1qx5eFODhYEYLpfe8w8PRuyRNu2b65hsp0s2zvNoe-K0r2h_7oCR6qG8Y/s1600/sos2012frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMxkbacaDW2oPAl1u6tbzmweIp9Sp6bwDDh5NE3M8M-73iIliNJxSy3r0RNtA55cNfXzuz_hEz2HBTp6iL-1qx5eFODhYEYLpfe8w8PRuyRNu2b65hsp0s2zvNoe-K0r2h_7oCR6qG8Y/s400/sos2012frame.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-14784140607349617252012-05-11T07:54:00.001-07:002012-05-11T09:15:16.623-07:00Why Vintage Torque Fest has to move in 2013<br />
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<a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/528512_452296394796186_130122217013607_1738432_511736411_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/528512_452296394796186_130122217013607_1738432_511736411_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I don’t often sit down to write words like this, but some recent backlash to the moving of <a href="http://p4.hostingprod.com/@vintagetorque.com/TorqueFest.html">Vintage Torque Fest </a>to Dubuque Iowa has my stomach turning. I feel like mostly this note is going to the folks who are local and vocal, but perhaps it’s a few who live further out too who have an issue going another 30 minutes down the road from Maquoketa. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">In order to really get a feel for this I need to go back a few years to the beginning of John and my relationship. About 5 years ago I get a call out of the blue from this guy who wants to put my art on the cover of this start up magazine that didn't even have a title, which became known as <a href="http://p4.hostingprod.com/@vintagetorque.com/">Vintage Torque</a>. From the magazine grew a line of videos that I’ve done some work on along with other fellow artists like <a href="http://www.kustomlane.com/doug_dorr.htm">Doug Dorr</a>, <a href="http://www.maxgrundy.com/">Max Grundy</a>, <a href="http://swampfirelounge.com/">Doug Horne</a> and <a href="http://www.deathraydesign.net/">Deathray Designs</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Somewhere down the line I get some more calls from John about attempting to put on a show in Iowa called Vintage Torque Fest. My first reaction was that I thought that it would be a hard sell to get people to come to a show in middle america, I suggested getting it closer to Chicago land area. On top of that I thought he’d need a pretty good gimmick to get people to come out to the middle of a corn field to set up. But John had a handful of ideas that he’d gathered after spending years traveling around from show to show vending and his “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_of_Dreams">field of dreams</a>” idea would happen. Like a man possessed, he began to max out credit cards to put on the first Torque Fest, gambling that people will come to Farley Iowa to race in the rain around a dirt track. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The first year was a success with a lot of great bands, vendors and people who came out to support the show. The proceeds of all the shows to date go to <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/helpinghannahsheart/home">Helping Hannahs Heart</a>. I think most people don’t discover that point on the posters clear enough because it’s often integrated into the art itself. The important thing to know in this is that the first show didn’t have any proceeds, neither did the second!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">So John and Kim who work their asses off year round to put on what many consider the mid-west’s greatest traditional show is because they hope to help pay themselves back and pray to help out on their daughter Hannah’s medical bills. Why? To make the show grow, have people come out and enjoy and give to a great cause.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">2012 Torque Fest comes along and wraps up nicely. This is the first year the show began to show a profit for Hannah’s medical bills. Let’s keep in mind, because I know the Wells family that they are humble, mid-west folks and don’t want to get into a sob story, as I am cut from the same hunk of wood. But you should know that Hannah’s surgeries have been close to $1,000,000.00 to date (that’s right, a MILLION fucking Bucks!). They don’t parade Hannah around to make you cry and don’t blast you with the details of what it takes to be a parent who gives everything for their children; like I said, they are humble. Thankfully, John and Kim, despite being independently employed have some insurance. Being someone else who is independently employed, insurance costs and co-pays are high. I spent several years, along with my wife with no insurance, in fact, my son was born without it. We know someone out there is smiling on us to have a healthy child and I can only imagine what Kim and John have gone through.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Back to Torque Fest 2012: The show was again a success. But with it being a success for the first time and the state of growth with the Jackson County Fairgrounds hemorrhaging at the seams with vehicles, it was time to make the change to something that will accommodate the space needed to put on this quality of a show and actually begin to make a dent in medical bills.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">To boot, as much as I liked the little town of Maquoketa as it reminded me a lot of Morris, IL from the Hunnert Car pile-up days, the Fair Board couldn’t give even a penny on any concessions sold at the show to the cause. John spends somewhere in the neighborhood of $30-40,000 in just advertising to bring people to the show, who spend money on food and drinks with the Fair who can’t kick back $1 in thanks? I overheard some folks talking in the kitchen area that they purchased every hunk of meat within a 20 mile radius of the town to keep the food going, I venture to say that they are the ones who are making any money in this situation, and not going to Hannah’s medical bills. </span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">(Update: the tips given to the employees of the fair board for concessions were donated to Helping Hannahs Heart)</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">So needless to say, to put on the 2013 show, things had to change. The Wells family needed some breaks in concessions, space for the growth of the show, hotels to house the folks from out of town, restaurants that had some variety and hours that can accommodate then needs for the Torque Fest(ers). </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Having helped out with a multiple independent shows, I know these things don’t happen for free. It takes a lot of scratch and pulling in friends and neighbors to break even most of the time. It’s a love for the show; to see the smiling faces, to hear the cheers of the crowds from hot rods ripping around a track or a band that just laid it all out on a kick-ass performance. When the show is done many like to jump on their favorite social media to share photos and comments on their experience. When the announcement was made about the moving of the show, I was upset by the number of people out there who flamed up on moving of the show.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Really? no seriously, REALLY? 40 miles up the road becomes a no-go for you people? A move that lets the show grow to what it NEEDS to be to keep it going, bring you the great bands, the awesome events to see, and the chaos of Torque Fest. Let me break down just a few numbers for this show for you:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Using the $10 entry fee, here’s what it takes:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">400 show paying customers to come through to pay for the event insurance.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Plus</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">another 100 of you just to get port-a-potties so you can take a shit</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">another 600 of you to get the bands to show up and another 200 of you so you can hear the bands play through the P.A.’s</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This is only a small insight on the show, as I mentioned the advertising costs associated already, you get the picture. It takes Kim and John every ounce of space on their credit cards maxed out to put this show on all in the name of the hopes of gaining something to put a dent in the medical bills for their daughter, Hannah.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I don’t often toot my own horn on this, but I really come out to Torque Fest to break even on what I donate to the show. A lot of time and effort for the illustration, art and graphics I do for the show is a gift to the show because I believe in putting on a good show and John and Kim are personal friends of mine. I drive just shy of 1000 miles round trip from Detroit. I don’t even like to think about it because I’m a pretty logical person, but I do it anyway for the last three years because I believe in the show, the cause and bringing the best to the mid-west indie shows. The traditional Hot Rod scene is something I believe in and I put my heart, mind and sole behind it. I don’t get a volunteer t-shirt at the end of the day, nor do I get a discount on the merch, even if I created it, I buy it back for the same cost. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">When I read what people write on Facebook about the show, it burns my ass. After you read this and still think that it is a bad move to relocate the show still and you could even say the words you wrote to the face a little girl who has endured multiple heart surgeries or her parents who give EVERYTHING they have to put on this show, then leave your comments up. But, if this gives you a hint of everything the core group of people who put on this show, year after year go through, then I implore you to remove your negative comments about the show, and please come and be welcome in 2013 at Torque Fest.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Sincerely,</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Keven Carter @ <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Car.N.Art.LLC">Car-N-Art</a></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-68851190437880409282012-03-21T06:20:00.004-07:002012-03-21T06:37:05.139-07:00Never mind the butcher and baker: Beware of the Candlestick Maker!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKq6qQyHvA9yEOZRuD9H2GT5auC5MKqeimq-VIqCVl_slZ6jAXcMF60vhyphenhyphenC0CZbGBtn01gNubmEVFG9X0yFUaAa7nCOzY6AkDuiHutRsRuEKb3lG7Jz5Ho7USb0aa_B3IBAyiYsAJO8EI/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-21+at+9.22.13+AM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKq6qQyHvA9yEOZRuD9H2GT5auC5MKqeimq-VIqCVl_slZ6jAXcMF60vhyphenhyphenC0CZbGBtn01gNubmEVFG9X0yFUaAa7nCOzY6AkDuiHutRsRuEKb3lG7Jz5Ho7USb0aa_B3IBAyiYsAJO8EI/s320/Screen+shot+2012-03-21+at+9.22.13+AM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722340377500276562" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The Packard plant seems to be the Hot Topic of abandoned Detroit right now. I spent some time years ago shooting for a couple of different magazines the destruction of the Packard plant. I've crawled many of the floors, halls, staircases, rooftops and ladders within to get shots. </div><div><br /></div><div>Recently it came to my attention that other Photographers have decided to get "crafty" on Etsy with their findings within the Packard Plant, when they should have just stuck to taking pictures…</div><div><br /></div><div>Above is a screen shot of one of the listings for block flooring being used for a rustic, cutesy, kitschy candlestick holder. What isn't contained in the description of the block holders is what toxics reside within.</div><div><br /></div><div>Skinny jean kids out there think they may know it all, but obviously don't do their chemical research before drilling into these and exposing themselves and their buyers to 'death on a stick'</div><div><br /></div><div>I took the time to write anyone I could find who's making/selling these this proper note. And if they do not heed my warning, I'll be talking with Etsy about their practices!</div><div><br /></div><div>"<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial;font-size:12px;">To Whom it may concern: Yourself, as well as your consumers!</span></div> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I writing under the assumption that you are unaware of the contents of the blocks you are removing from the Packard Plant. This is very unsettling for me to see listed for sale (especially as candlestick holders!) and I’m taking the time to write in hopes that you will heed my warning and removing the listings for your candle stick holders.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The wood block flooring within the Packard Plant, as well as many other buildings of this nature around Detroit had a very specific purpose within the plant. Besides being a cheap flooring with properties for sound deadening and foot comfort over standing on hard concrete, it was also employed for it’s chemical soaking abilities.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The reason why the blocks still exist in decent shape to this day is because the wood that was used was treated with multiple chemicals to keep the wood from rotting or from being consumed by ants/termites. Because of the age of this building I will assume the worst types of chemicals where being used to protect the wood which is lead and arsenic. When it was discovered that these where harmful to many people exposed to these chemicals, many manufactures switched to Creosote, which has also been deemed to be harmful to humans.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">On top of the chemicals that where used to make sure the blocks didn’t rot, the areas where these where used in the plant where more-less chemical spill areas on the lines. The blocks where used to sop up dangerous chemicals being used on the lines including oil, gasoline, lead body filler, solvents, etc.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial; color:#232323;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px ;color:#000000;">The EPA has deemed these chemicals to fall into one of two categories: </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">(VOCs and SVOCs) Volatile and Semi-volatile Organic Compounds. These floorings within the plant where regularly shucked and where discarded back during production when they had been used up. Obviously, since the doors where closed and production stopped, no one has come to discard these as they need to be properly handled.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial; min-height: 14.0pxcolor:#232323;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 13.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reclassified certain wood-preserving chemicals--creosote, pentachloropophenol and inorganic arsenicals--as restricted use pesticide materials. The designation means they are toxic or poisonous and potentially hazardous to humans and animals. Consequently, the public should be aware of the precautions for using wood treated with these chemicals.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 13.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Frequent or prolonged skin contact with pentachloropehnol or creosote treated wood should be avoided. Handlers of inorganic arsenical treated wood can be affected by arsenic absorption through human skin. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 13.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Sawdust from treated wood tends to become airborne with resultant human exposure by inhalation, swallowing and widespread dermal contact. To reduce the potential for exposure, the EPA recommends that individuals sawing pesticide treated wood in their occupation should wear disposable coveralls, made of a material such as nitrile or polyethylene, or similar protective clothing. Homeowners with occasional exposure should wear tightly woven long-sleeved cotton overalls, if they do not have disposable coveralls. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial; min-height: 14.0pxcolor:#232323;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px ;color:#232323;">The EPA further continues to </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">dissuade</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px ;color:#232323;"> people from burning chemically treated woods: </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Do not burn wood in open fires or in stoves, fireplaces, or residential boilers because toxic chemicals may be produced as part of the smoke and ashes. By making these blocks into candlestick holders, you are directly contaminating your buyers potentially from the chemicals that can be produced in the air. Likewise, when you where handling/drilling these blocks you have affected yourself and others in the surrounding area to toxic chemicals. The following are potential hazards associated with VOCs and SVOCs:</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial; min-height: 14.0pxcolor:#232323;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial; color:#232323;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Health Effects related to Volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs): Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Cancer, Birth or developmental effects, Brain and nervous system, Reproduction and fertility, Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial; min-height: 14.0pxcolor:#232323;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial; color:#232323;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I’m leaving you with this so you know as well as your consumers. If you have sold any of these blocks, I implore you to either get them back or refund the money and explain how your consumer should discard them. I also recommend removing these items from etsy or the like where you may be selling them. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial; min-height: 14.0pxcolor:#232323;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial; color:#232323;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">If you continue to have these up for sale on etsy I feel it is my duty to report the dangers to etsy before more sales can happen and the consumers could be affected by the toxics that can be released. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial; min-height: 14.0pxcolor:#232323;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial; color:#232323;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">This is really only the tip of the iceburg of toxics that are in and around the Packard plant. The entire plant is laden with Asbestos. Take your time to do some reading and research the items before selling them.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial; min-height: 14.0pxcolor:#232323;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial; color:#232323;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Thanks for your time.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial; color:#232323;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Sincerely, Keven"</span></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-71333195932579555202011-11-28T14:57:00.000-08:002011-11-28T15:21:45.795-08:00CarbElecticCo<a href="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.291144248.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 570px; height: 860px;" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.291144248.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Also for cyber Monday I'm launching some new products on a very limited basis. I've been constructing some lighting to use for future shows and offering them as of right now on Etsy. Take a look at some of these lamps!</div><div><br /></div><div>Description:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; ">An illuminated celebration of the Machine Age in a time of hybrid vehicles, these two lamps have been hand crafted and turned electric for your home or shop lighting. Each lamp has been cleaned, media blasted, acid etched and clear coated to give the appearance of a well oiled carburetor. The 6' cords are cloth covered, two wire (no ground) that end in a vintage styled plug. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; ">Each lamp can be switched on an off with a hidden pull chain in the choke hole. Each lamp comes with a 30 watt Edison style bulb to give a warm, vintage glow to your space. Many of the original fasteners have been cleaned and returned to the lamps for esthetics.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; "><br /></span></div><div>The Listings:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><h1 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; width: 570px; "><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/87354501/a-pair-of-ford-2-barrel-carburetor-lamps?ref=v1_other_1">a pair of Ford 2 Barrel Carburetor Lamps</a> w Shades</h1></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><h1 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; width: 570px; "><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/87354944/a-pair-of-ford-2-barrel-carburetor-lamps?ref=v1_other_2">a pair of Ford 2 Barrel Carburetor Lamps without Shades</a></h1></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><h1 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; width: 570px; "><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/87355135/a-pair-of-ford-2-barrel-carburetor-lamps?ref=v1_other_2">a pair of Ford 2 Barrel Carburetor Lamps without Shades</a></h1></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><h1 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; width: 570px; "><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/87355755/holley-2-barrel-carburetor-lamp">Holley 2 Barrel Carburetor Lamp w Shade</a></h1></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-1440437086695665702011-11-28T08:47:00.000-08:002011-11-28T11:42:11.402-08:00Big Ol' Holiday Savings and the Car-N-Art Store!Right now, when you go to place an order you can take advantage of these codes at the check out of the Car-N-Art store. All the codes are good until midnight on December 25th, so you have a little less than a month to act!<div><br /></div><div>First off, <b>25% off POSTERS!</b> That's right, all posters for sale are 25% off when you place an order and enter the code: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; text-transform: uppercase; font-family:Courier;font-size:130%;color:#ffffff;"><b>POSTERSAVE</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); line-height: 14px; text-transform: uppercase; font-family:Courier;font-size:11px;"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); line-height: 14px; text-transform: uppercase; font-family:Courier;font-size:11px;"><br /></span></div><div>Next up, <b>25% off all embroidered PATCHES!</b> This is a great way to get some shopping done for a bunch of folks. Enter the code: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; text-transform: uppercase; font-family:Courier;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#ffffff;">PATCHED</span></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>A never before <b>15% off the Embroidered Pinstripe Devil Flexfit hat</b>. Good quality product with a great savings to match! Enter the code: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; text-transform: uppercase; font-family:Courier;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#ffffff;">DEVILMADEMEDOIT</span></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Lastly, for anybody who spends <b>$100 or more, it's free shipping!</b> This will automatically be applied to orders that total up over $100.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); line-height: 14px; text-transform: uppercase; font-family:Courier;font-size:11px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; text-transform: uppercase; ">Start Shopping now: <a href="http://carnart.bigcartel.com/">http://carnart.bigcartel.com/</a></span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-3756563269501251352011-09-15T07:55:00.000-07:002011-09-15T07:59:25.567-07:00FINAL W.A.R. recap video<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/29019418?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=ffffff" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Awesome little video giving the experience of being at the show for all that couldn't attend. I'm in there briefly signing posters for the new <a href="http://carnart.bigcartel.com/product/arsenal-of-design-poster-series">Arsenal of Design</a> series.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-28008113340723745092011-09-02T03:30:00.000-07:002011-09-02T09:29:05.383-07:00An American at W.A.R.<a href="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/307669_10150421227634692_45693569691_10838021_7904362_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FT2YmsttPbju5eYnyXmXy4FTgjdnNHFYFNDF8DNF30Dl3a3UE9pJHIxPoYyQUtT7M_xDIIXiYNMK8dJ32ehry1HPPO5rjOwuhJxqVYii7u7q5w1-N-CGPURPzZj4IHXy2_ZHMRiQ7Ls/s1600/final+war.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 636px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FT2YmsttPbju5eYnyXmXy4FTgjdnNHFYFNDF8DNF30Dl3a3UE9pJHIxPoYyQUtT7M_xDIIXiYNMK8dJ32ehry1HPPO5rjOwuhJxqVYii7u7q5w1-N-CGPURPzZj4IHXy2_ZHMRiQ7Ls/s1600/final+war.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div>**if you only want the short version, here it is "Awesome". Keep reading for the whole, long story.**</div><div>
<br /></div>I hardly know where to begin in my thoughts of W.A.R. The acronym stands for Weil Am Rhein, which is the town in Germany where the event takes place. It seems many of the European names of shows are based a little more straight forward than the American counterparts, which I suppose makes it a lot easier for folks to know where it's at. <div>
<br /></div><div>The Road Devils of Europe have been putting on the WAR show for 6 years all together and decided that this would be the final one of it's kind in favor of doing a rolling show, much like the Power Tour that happens over here in the states beginning next year. Because this was the Final WAR, I thought it was time to meet my brothers from across the Atlantic and see what the show and the chapter is all about!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>With a few quick posts on our Road Devils forum and a couple of exchanged email addresses, my plans seemed a bit shaky to an average traveler, but I felt that if these guys where anything like my boys back home, I'd be well taken care of, and I was.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/297412_10150421227269692_45693569691_10838019_5194098_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 540px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div>Originally I was supposed to be picked up from the airport by brother Jimmy and stay at his place, but as all things that happen last minute when you are hosting a big show, things changed. Luckily as it where, Deniz and his buddy whom he shares garage space with picked me up in his 1953 Lincoln. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Quickly I was given the run down on how difficult it is to own an american custom/hot rod overseas. The Swiss government has high environmental standards and simply does not want modified, gas guzzling vehicles on the road. Most of the Road Devils cars in Europe are completely outlawed because they are modified and will not pass the strict laws to make them legal. Every time these guys take their cars out on the road, they run the risk of having them impounded or even destroyed by the government. Most of Europe shares similar laws and punishments so the trek across the boarder to Germany only a few miles down the road was also a risky one. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Needless to say that being a Road Devil in Europe is not a passive membership. Getting parts from America is a difficult and expensive hobby. Basically most folks are looking at doubling the cost of their purchase on nearly anything shipped from the states from anything like a fuel pump to a set of gaskets or a steering box. The shipping is atrocious. Every time an american shows up at the fuel station we cringe at the cost of fuel and often regret owning a V8 in our vehicles. Our European brothers are paying around € 1.38 per liter. There are nearly 4 liters per gallon so quick math shows them paying nearly $8 per gallon and probably averaging the same M.P.G. that we get in our old cars. Ugh! But when you want something bad enough, I suppose that cost is not an option.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Back on track now, Deniz took me over to the garage space they share tucked down a tight alley in Basel, Switzerland. Many of these guys share shop space and tuck away their hot rods and customs out of sight so there aren't any problems with the law. The shop was awesome; a huge glass roof made for a great amount of natural light to work in and made me envious of their space. Several projects from a Model A roadster to early Chevy trucks, hand painted toilet seats and motorcycles all where strewn about the place. From here we picked up a '70's conversion van and headed to the show sight to begin the long task of setting up for WAR.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Quickly we were on the road again and off to Germany. I am still quite shocked at the lack of border patrol there was between Switzerland and Germany (and France for that matter). This made for a safe passage for the illegal '53 Lincoln. Just a quick jaunt past a few round-abouts and we were at the show site which is the Carhartt/Edwin company/warehouse.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkgsdGYuZIsowHpm05oIudrcegQie_dKt79tDG_JnmvM4JwbeIECQH_AaimuBWOHEnoHx-kjqI1zUwhb9Ftrl0TQwsdZaVp65zmikWXsEz416iyruQrdcAHIe-A7dDEZhG7d5hpy5m3Q/s320/war_pics+8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647795062222618626" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div>Final WAR, like previous date events is sponsored in part by the Carhartt clothing company and Edwin denim. When we think of the label Carhartt we think quality workwear of heavy coveralls and thick winter coats. In Europe, Carhartt is more of a fashion, though they still sell the quality workwear that we are accustom to. The two labels are popular with counter culture, skateboarders, etc. There was a time that Dickies was so in the states, but perhaps a lot less now than before. Kevin, an event rep. from Carhartt made sure all angles were covered and they provided the location and staffed the bar, audio gear for the stages and gave us room for vendors to set up. Sometimes it really helps out to put on a quality show by having some corporate sponsorship!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Thursday evening we spent setting up all the tables outside and inside. The Road Devils had their own bar located closer to the gate. When the work was done, we ate and drank. Some early folks came into the show and joined in the festivities. This is where I met most of my extended family of Road Devils. Most folks spoke some english so that helped me out immensely. Drinking went well on into the night.</div><div>
<br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/307669_10150421227634692_45693569691_10838021_7904362_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 540px; " /></span><div>Friday we woke and enjoyed a breakfast at Jimmy's flat. Thank god, because I hadn't slept much on my flight over so it was welcome to get some honest sleep! Friday was pretty mellow durning the day as most folks weren't joining until after the work day was over. I got my table set up later in the day bringing some Car-N-Art products to foreign lands for the first time.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I got a chance to meet 'Lil' Daddy Roth aka Dennis Roth and his girlfriend. It was nice to speak English with americans at times. And speaking of the English, Stuart (aka Sunshine) from the UK, the sole Road Devil from England had me smiling the whole time. His accent reminded me of Brad Pitt in Snatch. Sunshine and his wife Natalia who's originally from Russia and myself spent some time at the Edwin outlet store and even crossed over into France for a beer. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdqCo3hlRXFTPVlktbTdeOZoF_hqtEnbgqtM7SzZSCUF7i4QP5b9PBOYKZj_VNUIcjrxTYmN-H_crdoJh3xIKtgknjn5zM3jqo6pDrwiDCJ-iVJwmqnuivc4nInCVvRtnBpJL-IXTIQw/s1600/war_pics+5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdqCo3hlRXFTPVlktbTdeOZoF_hqtEnbgqtM7SzZSCUF7i4QP5b9PBOYKZj_VNUIcjrxTYmN-H_crdoJh3xIKtgknjn5zM3jqo6pDrwiDCJ-iVJwmqnuivc4nInCVvRtnBpJL-IXTIQw/s320/war_pics+5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647794734205288866" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px; " /></a></div><div>Friday started off hot in the higher 80's and then a storm ripped in and rained hard for a bit and dropped the temperature but nearly 20º F. Tarps quickly appeared out of nowhere and roadsters and other open cars were blanketed to protect from the storms. Again, all came into the bar for more drinks. A little rain wasn't going to stop this party from happening! Friday evening was the Road Devils Europe annual meeting. I stood down from it partially because it wasn't my business to be in but also because it was entirely in German and outside of a word here and there, I had no clue what they were talking about. My buzz at this point was strong enough to not even recall what time we got back to the flat and called it a night.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYwIP7EBCWRt8DgcfXT3wJYtd_MNShjo38DNbuw3GwqACv1TB1EDRqr5579Vc-MverDGLOpu6as-_cyr2T64NMeIjl6L49KzDyAl87TOeMFRshrRmb5fHaiaoRuvuyofIEBo_tURQark/s320/war_pics+9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647795380193919154" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div>Saturday the main show began much cooler than the day before. It was still raining a bit in the morning, but nothing was going to keep true, hardcore custom culture fans away or the hot rodders from coming out to the show. I spent the better portion of the morning minding my booth space but I would randomly take a break for food and to talk with the Devils. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>At a certain point it dawned on me how odd this experience was. Despite the fact that all the cars for the most part are american automobiles, the music blaring in the bar space is good ol' american rockabilly, the t-shirts that folks are wearing are printed in english and many of them are sporting american logos or american designs, but I was not in the USA, I was in Germany. Most folks who came up to my booth immediately wouldn't speak english to me, and for that matter had no clue I was american until I opened my mouth. I suppose my design work just blended right in. Despite the fact that my design work sports the name Detroit, where I studied and lived while in college, many folks had Detroit shirts on that were never even made in the USA or designed there. So I suppose the originality of what I brought to WAR perhaps flew under the radar or just blended in.</div><div>
<br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILh8ffwWNKZye9m44Ptj4wRjzZHG4QeNKFao5rgdaEG-HDU5zY8FVCxsKqRrq6x_30X4WN_qjRwgXERqKX1mVYBwdY-rYwzxgu_aDOoMqTBbZptWiU_Llcjru83Ws0Za3tlL3pvul1gQ/s320/war_pics+16.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647796089082853762" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px; " /></span><div>It wasn't until I bumped into American pin-up model Leia Lockheart that I started to feel less alone. 4 years ago or so I got a call from my friend Bob who was looking for a car to photograph Leia with and I was able to help out. Leia was traveling Europe doing some shows and photography sessions with folks and came to the show. I was nice to catch up and not have to find the right words to speak. </div><div>
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<br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4q8tI9KLOh14c5QwV_dtrlRQUK-611rljhPvsz0Hr3PEE0TavkJSnMJdOiHFLHwZsxQ_YDitVEwby4ShpD1jllnf-G0p_fVcBwRNxdfbQ7IRXA5rdo5D3MqkPbTh7yp42ng3NmxMDDA/s320/war_pics+11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647795695951422946" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px; " /></span><div>I only got a short chance at taking some photos during the day. I managed to capture a few images of the cars at the show. Later in the evening I busted my camera out to shoot the fashion show/burlesque ladies. After the stage show, it was time to just chat with all the good folks who were there and enjoy a few more drinks before calling it a night. </div><div>
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<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJISy0j_Z5tZayd-heWGsOtlRYwfsD5W0ZWZZvjslY61g7AyJV5cSOW1TegBdSOo6taj1WSKbnpHYUQyna1qcd8Hp6vLwj7hBh2m-9eZvvUFqwdk-7QNKmPrPxlKghAGfa4a-T2dG86zw/s1600/war_pics+28.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJISy0j_Z5tZayd-heWGsOtlRYwfsD5W0ZWZZvjslY61g7AyJV5cSOW1TegBdSOo6taj1WSKbnpHYUQyna1qcd8Hp6vLwj7hBh2m-9eZvvUFqwdk-7QNKmPrPxlKghAGfa4a-T2dG86zw/s320/war_pics+28.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647796883158306450" style="cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9BXS_R9ohuj9hxoIm9_iFjG9-94Ebd0fIUW2vgZ21-AKKhl_Q7EMz8trUZ74un24HsR3G1VaTaEvJ22vnbnxaZ9zzqP8bt41f4nv7AvLnFNDtP3Abfr2wbF2N-J-Ugyeh-ruXB6pgbI/s1600/war_pics+27.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9BXS_R9ohuj9hxoIm9_iFjG9-94Ebd0fIUW2vgZ21-AKKhl_Q7EMz8trUZ74un24HsR3G1VaTaEvJ22vnbnxaZ9zzqP8bt41f4nv7AvLnFNDtP3Abfr2wbF2N-J-Ugyeh-ruXB6pgbI/s320/war_pics+27.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647796882834126754" style="cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4prPSAPLnrvMUjT9r7FCf7b27ZLW483hrAS6ncDbsKBTS4rPZroow4q3wAttfgXy_qmJRdHbVIE4m7V3maDLmxdCNN7ZGgN0jGebkn0OCGo3ihAp8lfnnXCPtfoXzJDaXipTMj1GroZE/s1600/war_pics+25.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4prPSAPLnrvMUjT9r7FCf7b27ZLW483hrAS6ncDbsKBTS4rPZroow4q3wAttfgXy_qmJRdHbVIE4m7V3maDLmxdCNN7ZGgN0jGebkn0OCGo3ihAp8lfnnXCPtfoXzJDaXipTMj1GroZE/s320/war_pics+25.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647796880052844370" style="cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC04AudthBzssCr5LxR6edK7DYI01tYek9TaE1TkcsHRzC6FLBhvxH8s2qneT6941ZuD_21Qs_UZUT1D6T6sZZGJca3Na46XbUBwY28uSOqa-_ib7jo_WfS_YNipsDyUzliZQem08eZHQ/s1600/war_pics+19.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC04AudthBzssCr5LxR6edK7DYI01tYek9TaE1TkcsHRzC6FLBhvxH8s2qneT6941ZuD_21Qs_UZUT1D6T6sZZGJca3Na46XbUBwY28uSOqa-_ib7jo_WfS_YNipsDyUzliZQem08eZHQ/s320/war_pics+19.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647796872408822450" style="cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4eLmfM-Vv03BbWOPpFlh4VmMnPE-DB_WR_lULaJKS3wt1YZ4w6ZJF5DrhkimE307JN3cQEFPIJ1x7zTk7z_A80UXX81tvlK6qNLLcY28lpJEc-0OZW1uq2RYnZOKB8oaWTFmorQOmlaU/s1600/war_pics+15.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4eLmfM-Vv03BbWOPpFlh4VmMnPE-DB_WR_lULaJKS3wt1YZ4w6ZJF5DrhkimE307JN3cQEFPIJ1x7zTk7z_A80UXX81tvlK6qNLLcY28lpJEc-0OZW1uq2RYnZOKB8oaWTFmorQOmlaU/s320/war_pics+15.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647796875905799922" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>The good news is there were no altercations at WAR this year. Apparently there were a few issues the pervious year with different car clubs, so everyone was happy for a final, peaceful gathering.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/315757_10150425098854692_45693569691_10879341_6095944_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 540px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div>Sunday we returned to the show site to witness the aftermath of the show. The bar was trashed, the bathrooms (toilets, they are called over seas) were overflowing. There was a lone Road Devils supporter past out on the picnic tables outside, baking in the early morning sun amongst the empty beer bottles strewn about. We took some time to break down the tables and clean up the Road Devils bar and carry the remaining kegs back to the show site before I got a lift to the airport. It was sad to leave my new found family. Goodbyes were exchanged from everyone who was scattering back to their points of origin. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>I wanted to take a moment to thank all the Road Devils Europe for a great time and even better hospitality!</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>Christian:</b> Thanks for the great time and chats along the way. You and your girlfriend were fun flatmates to hang out with! Sorry I missed the chance to see your Opel at the show but I did enjoy reading the article on the flight to London about it in Smokin' Shutdown!</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>Alexej:</b> Thanks for showing me a great time at WAR. I wish I knew some more German or even Russian so I had more to speak about. I was told you can fix nearly anything on an engine, so you are a huge asset to have in the Europe chapter. I'm looking forward to seeing you again!</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>Deniz:</b> Thanks again for picking me up from the Airport and showing me a good time! Next time I'll let me hair grow out to get a proper styling from you while I'm there! I enjoyed the ride in the 53 lincoln and thanks for letting me feel like family!</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>Jimmy:</b> Thank you so much for putting me up at your flat the whole weekend and driving us around/back to the airport! Your hospitality is unmatched and you'll always have a place to stay when you are in the Detroit area!</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>Marcel:</b> Thanks so much for the Swiss gifts and for making me feel welcome! Now you got to see Hotrod the movie. I still think you look a bit like Andy Sanberg! Someday I may take you up on that offer of skiing, I just have to learn to ski...</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>Matze:</b> It was great meeting you and your wife! You guys are awesome! I love your 1939 Chevy Bomb too. You guys made me feel very welcome and part of the Road Devils Europe family!</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>Olli:</b> It was great talking to you in the vendor area. Thanks for the hook up on the Smokin' Shutdown magazine. I enjoyed reading them on my remaining flights back home. Your "Tupperware" '32 has seen a lot of history and I hear it may be the most driven hotrod in all of Europe! You rock man!</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>Silvano:</b> Thanks for entertaining me with everything. You and your girl are good people to call family. The Thunderbird is awesome! Looking forward to having you guys State side something down the road.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>Simon:</b> Your Model A modified would fit right in here in the states. It's a bad ass hotrod for sure. I hope you didn't run into any issues getting it home from the show. Thanks for the gifts as well! You are a good man.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>'Sunshine' Stuart:</b> It was great speaking 'English' with you and your wife! Thanks for entertaining me on Friday and the trip into France and helping me out at the Edwin store! I look forward to hearing from you guys again soon! Also, thanks for the advice on the Underground in London. It mostly worked out for me there, but got in trouble with fucking up on the differences of zones. All's well that ends well!</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>Thom:</b> You made me wish that I learned German when I had the chance in school rather than Spanish. Your magazine is really top notch and I enjoyed reading the couple issues I got at the show on my remaining flights. Let me know if I can ever help out down the road on the 'zine. You remind me of the true punk rock spirit that is still alive in the club. It was great meeting you and Koshi at the show and look forward to seeing you guys again. I swear I'll try and learn more German next time around. You guys are aces!</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>Tino:</b> It was awesome talking Cadillacs with you! I have a soft place in my heart for American Luxury cars and their bad ass engines! Thanks for the chocolate milk as well. It was awesome! As always, you guys are welcome to come state side and visit here in Detroit!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-39904997788838208912011-08-15T10:23:00.000-07:002011-09-09T06:01:26.561-07:00What's been up, what's coming up!I often find myself forgetting to update stuff like this. I'll wake early and think about it and a couple of hours later forget to do it! I know no why my parents always seemed forgetful; cause having kids wipes you out!<div><br /></div><div>This summer has been filled with work and wrenching. I've cut down on the number of shows to attend this year, partially to the cost of gas and partially to spending time with my wife & son. On the upcoming shows list I will be attending the following for sure:</div><div><a href="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/276726_155420401195801_4270491_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/276726_155420401195801_4270491_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">This weekend, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; ">Saturday, August 20 · <span class="dtstart"><span class="value-title" title="2011-08-20T09:00:00"></span>9:00am</span> - <span class="dtend"><span class="value-title" title="2011-08-20T18:00:00"></span>6:00pm</span></span>: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=155420401195801">Relix Riot at the Gilmore Museum</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">Hickory Corners, MI. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 14px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; font-family:'times new roman';font-size:medium;"><a href="http://gilmorecarmuseum.org/">Check out the Gilmore Museum website.</a></span></div><div><a href="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-ash2/211173_193878127302143_4716152_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-ash2/211173_193878127302143_4716152_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 283px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">Next weekend, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><span class="dtstart">Friday, August 26 at 3:00pm</span> - <span class="dtend"><span class="value-title" title="2011-08-28T05:00:00"></span>August 28 at 5:00am</span></span>: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px; "><a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=193878127302143">FINAL W.A.R. Hot Rod and Art Show 2011</a> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">Weil am Rhein, Germany. <a href="http://www.rodandkustom.com/index2.html">Website</a> That's right people, Car-N-Art goes Euro-trash!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; ">Right after Final War, I'll be headed to London to take part in the Riots… outside of <a href="http://www.frightfest.co.uk/">Fright Fest</a> film festival where I'll be to support my movie </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><a href="http://www.deadheadsthemovie.com/">Deadheads</a>!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; ">I think I'll lie low again until October where I'll resume some shows where you can grab up</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; ">some stuff or just drop by and chat. Considering The Rumblers show and HCPU #10 and last one…. Sad, but true. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; ">Recent work includes:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; ">Studio 13:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; "><a href="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/285350_10150388164724692_45693569691_10481539_7248999_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/285350_10150388164724692_45693569691_10481539_7248999_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 643px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px;">New England Speed & Custom:</span></span></div><div><a href="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/283591_10150388164779692_45693569691_10481540_4989038_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/283591_10150388164779692_45693569691_10481540_4989038_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 661px; " /></a></div><div>Truckermouth 10' Banner:</div><div><a href="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/270113_10150394174429692_45693569691_10549214_6163327_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/270113_10150394174429692_45693569691_10549214_6163327_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 720px; " /></a></div><div>Kustomrama Badge/Shield:</div><div><a href="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/267843_10150375251679692_45693569691_10346758_1037348_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/267843_10150375251679692_45693569691_10346758_1037348_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 673px; height: 613px; " /></a></div><div>Vintage Torque #6 DVD cover art:</div><div><a href="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269861_10150370111574692_45693569691_10285164_6462442_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269861_10150370111574692_45693569691_10285164_6462442_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 486px; " /></a></div><div>Devil's Hand production business card and logo:</div><div><a href="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/248675_10150339015619692_45693569691_10003677_3368260_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/248675_10150339015619692_45693569691_10003677_3368260_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 422px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Check out this great little video about the Hot Rod with No Name:</div><div><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/27333418?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/27333418">The Hot Rod With No Name - Logo Design</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user6353110">Jody Peterson</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>. Be on the lookout for support shirts here soon!<a href="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/249785_10150318021379692_45693569691_9796457_3422788_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/249785_10150318021379692_45693569691_9796457_3422788_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 284px; " /></a></p><p>Speaking of shirts, the ACME speed shop just started running my signature shirt for them. ACME Special or "<a href="http://acme-speedshop.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage/products/keven-carter-flying-wheel">Flying wheel</a>" </p><p><a href="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/251033_203929096317996_100001027220548_588497_299532_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/251033_203929096317996_100001027220548_588497_299532_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 540px; " /></a></p><p>I seriously reconsidered giving away this design, even for money. I love it and want to do more like it. I'm even ordering another one because I want it in my closet and it has zero to do with the fact that my names on it. </p><p>That's about all for now. Back to the barn for some body work on the <a href="http://gowcart.blogspot.com/">Gow Cart '29 Roadster</a>.</p><p>See you soon!</p></div><div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-20825537756612062132011-06-01T07:20:00.000-07:002011-06-01T07:27:59.200-07:00The Zombie Factor<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8crh0QTcIrPbFjm_TBwAJUgaAL0uwJVntBLUALVMO9h83AidbYgFh9neWOjLyupMuz8TaDhnlDo7-9QN60T16R4Y3oOHvrQ4iWRakVjGP255FS4G3xVsYnu354SDjkzFqMudxGHA4Hqs/s1600/poster_proof_scarlet.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8crh0QTcIrPbFjm_TBwAJUgaAL0uwJVntBLUALVMO9h83AidbYgFh9neWOjLyupMuz8TaDhnlDo7-9QN60T16R4Y3oOHvrQ4iWRakVjGP255FS4G3xVsYnu354SDjkzFqMudxGHA4Hqs/s320/poster_proof_scarlet.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613256388895305794" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8crh0QTcIrPbFjm_TBwAJUgaAL0uwJVntBLUALVMO9h83AidbYgFh9neWOjLyupMuz8TaDhnlDo7-9QN60T16R4Y3oOHvrQ4iWRakVjGP255FS4G3xVsYnu354SDjkzFqMudxGHA4Hqs/s1600/poster_proof_scarlet.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>I got a chance to work on The Zombie Factor event poster for the pilot screening. Friends Matt and Sarah produced this comedy fakey reality TV show that asks what would we do with all the zombies post apocalypse? Take a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150168461842388">look at the teaser</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i>"</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i>The zombie apocalypse becomes REALITY on The Zombie Factor, the most dangerous show on television. Every episode, someone dies."</i></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The Zombie Factor: Pilot Episode will premiere in Detroit on Thursday, June 9th at Saint Andrew's Hall. Doors at 8pm, shows at 9pm & 10pm. All ages show.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Wanna attend? Get some details on </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=233684743313298"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Facebook</span></span></a></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-42572051999637675302011-05-24T10:57:00.000-07:002011-05-24T11:10:37.176-07:00Sins of Steel 2011. June 4th!It's that time of year again. Sins of Steel: the cure for the billet blues.<div>I had the honor of putting together the designs for the show.</div><div>The event T-shirt:</div><div><a href="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/228407_10150289132379692_45693569691_9578207_2976432_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/228407_10150289132379692_45693569691_9578207_2976432_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 266px; " /></a></div><div>The Back Detail:</div><div><a href="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/225969_10150289514994692_45693569691_9582057_7606833_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/225969_10150289514994692_45693569691_9582057_7606833_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 708px; height: 607px; " /></a></div><div>The Event Poster:</div><div><a href="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/229474_10150301094599692_45693569691_9649996_351600_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/229474_10150301094599692_45693569691_9649996_351600_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 480px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The car I picked is what's been rolling around in my head over the last 6 years or so. It's an illustration of the <a href="http://gowcart.blogspot.com/">Gow Cart</a>. Granted, there will be some differences in the finished car that I didn't add in here and there (namely, the seat choice) but this gives you a sneak peek at what I've been thinking about.</div><div><br /></div><div>At any rate, come on out to the show! All registered cars get a silkscreened poster, embroidered patch and sticker among other items in the goody bag.</div><div><br /></div><div>Need more inspiration? Check out the recap video from last year's show!</div><div><object width="640" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QyRD95SQVhU&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QyRD95SQVhU&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="640" height="390"></embed></object></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-81954989778212585852011-04-20T06:17:00.000-07:002011-04-20T06:30:28.747-07:00Detroit - Las Vegas - Maquoketa, or bust!I'm packing up now to head from Detroit to Las Vegas for <a href="http://www.vivalasvegas.net/vlv14/">Viva Las Vegas.</a> No, sadly I'm not vending this time around. I'll be helping the massive undertaking that is putting on the Car Show at the event with the rest of my <a href="http://www.roaddevils.com/">Road Devil</a> brothers! I'm thinking of it as a working vacation so to speak. I'm happy I could help out. RDFL! If you see a Road Devils jacket with Detroit on the back, that's me. Say Hi.<div><br /></div><div>Straight on from Viva, I'll be heading to Maquoketa, Iowa. What's in Iowa you ask? We'll <a href="http://vintagetorquefest.com/">Torque fest</a> you silly bastards! Already 350 Customs and Hot Rods registered and one of the few shows in the USA that you can take your ride out on the dirt track for a few laps and put it to it! I'll be vending there with a few brand new items for sale and some of the old classics! Bring some cash 'cause that ATM is gonna empty out quick!<br /><div><br /></div><div>Enough typing. Time to get my ears lowered and on to the other 150 things I need to do! See ya soon?!</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-1225968407737384952011-03-31T06:37:00.000-07:002011-03-31T10:50:48.011-07:00A Massive catch up!2011 has been a crazy year already just 4 month in tomorrow! I know I'm usually better about updates on here, but I haven't found a minute to catch my breath from working and being a dad to make the time. Allow me a chance to play catch up in review since the beginning of the year.<div><br /></div><div>Helping out my fellow Club brother Frank, I put together a design for his old 1959 Ford Pick-up doors. Designing was easy, but the application of painting two exact matching doors was a different feat. </div><div>The mock up:</div><div><a href="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/165227_10150146534959692_45693569691_8165865_8206959_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/165227_10150146534959692_45693569691_8165865_8206959_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 322px; " /></a></div><div>The lettering was transferred to some over head projecter clear transfers then projected on the truck doors:</div><div><a href="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/163047_10150164325389692_45693569691_8473291_3015556_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/163047_10150164325389692_45693569691_8473291_3015556_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 540px; " /></a></div><div>The end results after a quick scrub to age the one shot paintjob which took a few weekends to do it up:</div><div><a href="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180863_10150192491219692_45693569691_8855328_1673180_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180863_10150192491219692_45693569691_8855328_1673180_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 540px; " /></a></div><div>_________________________________________________________________</div><div><br /></div><div>Also for Autorama, the "artist alley" many of us put together a piece with the single topic of a model A FED called "Little Honker"</div><div><a href="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/183471_10150186140129692_45693569691_8790848_2771302_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/183471_10150186140129692_45693569691_8790848_2771302_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 540px; " /></a></div><div>This is a quick shot of the finished product taken with the cell phone on a test print. There were 100 pieces made of this 12"x18" two color silkscreened poster. #1 was framed and custom painted by Little Mark of Sled Alley. </div><div><a href="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/180825_10150192201194692_45693569691_8852682_4757484_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/180825_10150192201194692_45693569691_8852682_4757484_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 540px; " /></a></div><div>This is a quick shot of #1, matted and framed, ready for auction. It pulled in $185 for the leader dogs for the blind. I'm happy to help out.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are some left over from the show so don't feel like you missed out by not hitting Autorama!</div><div><br /></div><div> <a href="http://car-n-art.com/posterpurchase-8.html">GRAB YOURS HERE</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://car-n-art.com/images/lil_honker_poster.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://car-n-art.com/images/lil_honker_poster.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 1000px; height: 483px; " /></a></div><div>____________________________________________________________________</div><div>Quickly there after I put together Half Fast Chicago commissioned me to do an event poster for Burning Love #4, their anti valentines party.</div><div><a href="http://car-n-art.com/images/burninglovelposter.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://car-n-art.com/images/burninglovelposter.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 1000px; height: 483px; " /></a></div><div>It's single silver color ink on black french paper. It's currently on <a href="http://www.frenchsampleroom.com/french_paper_sample_room/2011/03/french-paper-speckletone-black.html">French's website in the sample room</a> which to me is a honor to be listed there!</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, you've got a chance to <a href="http://car-n-art.com/posterpurchase-9.html">GRAB YOURS HERE</a></div><div>_______________________________________________________________</div><div>Motor Age Clothing Co. hit me up early in the year as well for some new shirt designs. </div><div><a href="http://www.motorageclothing.com/v/vspfiles/photos/MT97-2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://www.motorageclothing.com/v/vspfiles/photos/MT97-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 460px; " /></a></div><div>and #2</div><div><a href="http://www.motorageclothing.com/v/vspfiles/photos/MT-96-2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://www.motorageclothing.com/v/vspfiles/photos/MT-96-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 460px; " /></a></div><div>You can grab yours up at the <a href="http://www.motorageclothing.com/category-s/108.htm?searching=Y&sort=13&cat=108&show=10&page=2">MOTOR AGE website</a></div><div>________________________________________________________</div><div><br /></div><div>Finishing up in 2011 for <a href="http://vintagetorquefest.com/">Vintage Torque Fest</a>, I did this three poster collection for this years show:</div><div><a href="http://car-n-art.com/images/VTF_2011posters_large.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://car-n-art.com/images/VTF_2011posters_large.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 1200px; height: 599px; " /></a></div><div>This series is online and all signed. The original print series is only 50 pieces! You can g<a href="http://car-n-art.com/posterpurchase-11.html">rab yours up before the show </a></div><div><br /></div><div>Also now online is last years 4 poster set. VERY LIMITED NUMBERS HERE!!!</div><div><a href="http://car-n-art.com/images/VTF_2010_large.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://car-n-art.com/images/VTF_2010_large.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 1200px; height: 464px; " /></a></div><div><a href="http://car-n-art.com/posterpurchase-10.html">GRAB UP HERE</a></div><div>____________________________________________________________________</div><div>Back in 2008 I worked on this little indy film called <a href="http://www.deadheadsthemovie.com/">Deadheads</a> which is finally blowing up. The trailer alone has 70,000 hits! It recently got into the Newport Beach film fest where I wish it much luck! I worked a lot with the promotions people on photography for this poster:</div><div><a href="http://www.deadheadsthemovie.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DH_IMDB_poster.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://www.deadheadsthemovie.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DH_IMDB_poster.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 1080px; " /></a></div><div>Much of my set photography has ended up around the net for the film as well including <a href="http://www.fangoria.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3482:deadheads-exclusive-pics-and-comments&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=167">Fangoria's website article on Deadheads</a></div><div>____________________________________________________________________</div><div>In the midst of this time period of work, I also had a major set back in later January. If you are on my facebook fan page you probably caught me bitch'n about my Apple Monitor fail. Let me tell you it was the worst thing to happen to me in some time. But when the smoke cleared and all was said/done/installed/replaced/updated I got quite a nice replacement.</div><div><a href="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/188420_10150197958224692_45693569691_8918678_5791131_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/188420_10150197958224692_45693569691_8918678_5791131_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 511px; height: 640px; " /></a></div><div>Right over my shoulder… it made me and my dog bomber here happy!</div><div>__________________________________________________________</div><div><a href="http://lovepedal.com/">Lovepedal custom effects</a> commissioned me to do some handcrafted box art for their product line up for retail. </div><div><a href="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/179435_10150176986769692_45693569691_8663493_5646069_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/179435_10150176986769692_45693569691_8663493_5646069_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 472px; height: 720px; " /></a></div><div>the fun part about this has been all the positive feedback on facebook from the lovepedal fans. Some even just wanted to buy the boxes alone!</div><div>_________________________________________________________________</div><div>Rod & Custom Fabrication loved the Torquefest posters so much they wanted me to do a cross over / old timey logo brand for themselves. </div><div><a href="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/182049_10150184514564692_45693569691_8773996_2151383_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/182049_10150184514564692_45693569691_8773996_2151383_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 454px; " /></a></div><div>This was the proof work and there are also business cards and a t-shirt design to boot.</div><div><a href="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180668_10150184515274692_45693569691_8773999_2627149_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180668_10150184515274692_45693569691_8773999_2627149_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 540px; " /></a></div><div> </div><div>_____________________________________________________________</div><div><a href="http://www.pit-bull.com/">Pit Bull Racing</a> contacted me about putting together some long sleeve designs. We kicked around a few ideas and came up with these race inspired versions of their sponsored riders leathers:</div><div><a href="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/180695_10150184515679692_45693569691_8774001_1003279_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/180695_10150184515679692_45693569691_8774001_1003279_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 172px; " /></a></div><div>They don't seem to be up online just yet, but I'm sure they will be soon!</div><div>Also work for Pit Bull I've done includes </div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family:Arial, Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"><tbody><tr><td align="left" valign="top" colspan="2" style="background-color: rgb(0, 0, 62); border-bottom-width: 0px; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom- color:initial;"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica;font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.pit-bull.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PBMSA&Product_Code=F0088-000&Category_Code=apparel_gear" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; color: white; text-decoration: underline; "></a><a href="http://www.pit-bull.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PBMSA&Product_Code=F0088-000&Category_Code=apparel_gear"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Pit Bull Metal Sign - Vintage</span></a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><a href="http://www.pit-bull.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PBMSA&Product_Code=F0047E-000&Category_Code=apparel_gear"> </a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 255, 255); -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica;font-size:x-small;"><a href="http://www.pit-bull.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PBMSA&Product_Code=F0047E-000&Category_Code=apparel_gear">T-shirt, 3-color, bike on front</a></span><div>______________________________________________________________</div><div><a href="http://www.nsibrew.com/">Newlands Brewing Systems</a> contacted me just before Autorama to put together an ad for a magazine on their brewing systems being made right here in Detroit! I was pumped to be part of their team and being able to bring my own art to their company look. I was also able to create some custom graphic for their display at the Craft Brewers Conference this last weekend in San Francisco</div><div>Ad:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2p7DEXgTmEPHHjxP-d-HNWDdKhMJkblA1XQj4aF5odRa7AkTj-FX_xrub6MdkUoP_UQ2dcFrRfqlAet1bg20S7L9TN13HfwT1qotFn8wosRIvr6zQaa3Aw9K1yqVK83scc_BZvpB6YQ/s1600/newlands8.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2p7DEXgTmEPHHjxP-d-HNWDdKhMJkblA1XQj4aF5odRa7AkTj-FX_xrub6MdkUoP_UQ2dcFrRfqlAet1bg20S7L9TN13HfwT1qotFn8wosRIvr6zQaa3Aw9K1yqVK83scc_BZvpB6YQ/s200/newlands8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590292652700116098" style="cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 200px; " /></a></div><div>Banners:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1yAjrwa87h5LXMjLpxfxHce31bzprIh8qBNgVEWpcymvZHt-taPuBf81v_EetgAKNyRioYus0txqsk4YXltSqN-538Eb1q_SwfJk_7OzTBXkhtHPZX8czDc57F6Owm7Row-SjloLWIg/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-03-18+at+1.46.32+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1yAjrwa87h5LXMjLpxfxHce31bzprIh8qBNgVEWpcymvZHt-taPuBf81v_EetgAKNyRioYus0txqsk4YXltSqN-538Eb1q_SwfJk_7OzTBXkhtHPZX8czDc57F6Owm7Row-SjloLWIg/s200/Screen+shot+2011-03-18+at+1.46.32+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590293064972089442" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 78px; " /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieO3QblMOlmxtSL78kIRLI98kq0VDJ3-TDCCFnVsKFTm5mWk_sZk224pgRBkursHpdkB2DSOeHHQxm9d5__d_xwQ5FSO6nWLiCKS_CCeHwT0_yFvFmOvMxiO2Lu-purj9uyvZkE9MlXno/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-03-18+at+9.12.12+AM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieO3QblMOlmxtSL78kIRLI98kq0VDJ3-TDCCFnVsKFTm5mWk_sZk224pgRBkursHpdkB2DSOeHHQxm9d5__d_xwQ5FSO6nWLiCKS_CCeHwT0_yFvFmOvMxiO2Lu-purj9uyvZkE9MlXno/s200/Screen+shot+2011-03-18+at+9.12.12+AM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590293656125238402" style="cursor: pointer; width: 122px; height: 200px; " /></a></div><div>Coaster:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4b1_assjpAHzIbehbdko-KmN9tRnziIhMDNP8YbWCIJDV5gMsgi2veimRz3E1Wp7g-IGeeTWjp5dFjZLrLr0lqowX4nMIIlA5eQKboln82hj5i32tHl9y7C_Nll6SuTYJ32CtqAgLuQ/s1600/coaster_mock-up.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4b1_assjpAHzIbehbdko-KmN9tRnziIhMDNP8YbWCIJDV5gMsgi2veimRz3E1Wp7g-IGeeTWjp5dFjZLrLr0lqowX4nMIIlA5eQKboln82hj5i32tHl9y7C_Nll6SuTYJ32CtqAgLuQ/s320/coaster_mock-up.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590293825587856978" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>___________________________________________________________</div><div>At Autorama I got a chance to meet a bunch of good folks both exhibiting and attending! I was happy to unveil some exclusive products to them which should follow up on the website in April:</div><div>flexfit ball cap with pinstripe devil</div><div><a href="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/183686_10150193237694692_45693569691_8863767_3888365_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/183686_10150193237694692_45693569691_8863767_3888365_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 540px; height: 720px; " /></a></div><div>Devil pinstripe patches:</div><div><a href="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/183408_10150193855164692_45693569691_8870003_2737081_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/183408_10150193855164692_45693569691_8870003_2737081_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 540px; " /></a></div><div>black</div><div><a href="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/184838_10150193855469692_45693569691_8870006_5557188_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/184838_10150193855469692_45693569691_8870006_5557188_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 540px; " /></a></div><div>Car-N-Art spark plug patches:</div><div><a href="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/183563_10150193852514692_45693569691_8869981_8154390_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/183563_10150193852514692_45693569691_8869981_8154390_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 540px; " /></a></div><div>and stealth:</div><div><a href="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/182596_10150193851774692_45693569691_8869961_1064440_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/182596_10150193851774692_45693569691_8869961_1064440_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 540px; " /></a></div><div>As well over the weekend I had John Jackson from<a href="http://www.notstockphotography.com/"> Not Stock Photography</a> keeping my dogs and couch company. He shot this of me sunday morning. Man, everything looks really yellow</div><div> under those COBO lights!</div><div><a href="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/190610_1925822548073_1317442237_32307684_1735171_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/190610_1925822548073_1317442237_32307684_1735171_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 479px; " /></a></div><div>__________________________________________________________________</div><div>Quickly coming out of Detroit Autorama I had a bunch of work to get back to! There is still elements of my display floating around in my truck. </div><div><a href="http://www.trophyqueen.com/">Trophy Queen</a> contacted me about doing an Americana/Evel Knievel design for a t-shirt:</div><div><a href="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/189086_10150204418214692_45693569691_8988132_1331317_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/189086_10150204418214692_45693569691_8988132_1331317_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 706px; " /></a></div><div>I love her bags probably as much as the ladies do. I think I could pull off the diaper bag before getting suspect! :)</div><div>_______________________________________________________________</div><div>Not too long after I found myself helping out my pal Lauren from <a href="http://streetrodvisions.com/">Street Rod Visions</a> with a sticker /t-shirt design for a show (I think this weekend)</div><div><a href="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/199524_10150205864004692_45693569691_8999847_2720924_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/199524_10150205864004692_45693569691_8999847_2720924_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 648px; height: 648px; " /></a></div><div>She asked me something stock and I just don't have any "stock" designs. I really only can do one off's for people. She wanted a 32 3-window and that's what she got!</div><div>___________________________________________________________</div><div><a href="http://halffastchicago.com/">Half Fast</a> came back with their Spring/Summer/Fall bike night posters at the <a href="http://www.orbitroomchicago.com/">Orbit Room</a></div><div><a href="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208160_10150223706294692_45693569691_9183713_2036094_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208160_10150223706294692_45693569691_9183713_2036094_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 470px; " /></a></div><div>A tiki inspired poster to polynesian perfection!</div><div>_________________________________________________________________</div><div>Finding myself now at the end of March and taxes creeping up my back, I also had to get back to <a href="http://vintagetorquefest.com/">Torque fest</a> art for the registration card. </div><div><a href="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206794_10150223714049692_45693569691_9183744_4504072_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206794_10150223714049692_45693569691_9183744_4504072_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 457px; height: 720px; " /></a></div><div>This is a great little 11x7 inch mini poster give away to all who are registering a bike or car for the show. Something to hang in the garage to remind you what a kick ass time you will have in 2012!</div><div>____________________________________________________________</div><div>Lastly, on to my own stuff. Car-N-Art will have some new products shortly with a brand new poster series that will be highly collectable called "Arsenal of Design" 6 Poster series all sold as one (like the old Drive Wrench Repeat) </div><div><br /></div><div>I can't show you all of it just yet, but it's brewing and you should see something for sale in Iowa at torque fest!</div><div><br /></div><div>I can show you the shirt though:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/196514_10150223722084692_45693569691_9183786_6974606_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/196514_10150223722084692_45693569691_9183786_6974606_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 588px; " /></a></div><div>Stay tuned to the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/CAR-N-ART/45693569691">FACEBOOK fan page</a> for faster updates!</div><div>____________________________________________________________________</div><div>Well crap! that's about it for now. Hopefully I can update more than once a quarter with work on here!!! Really sad overall. New stuff in the works for future shows, a new website within the year, and hopefully some national ink on the art. Thanks for reading if you made it this far!</div><div><br /></div><div>~keven</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192952221179536900.post-40563650463429942492011-02-11T05:35:00.000-08:002011-02-11T05:35:59.617-08:00Chrysler Eminem Super Bowl Commercial - Imported From Detroit<iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SKL254Y_jtc?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105148193274463225noreply@blogger.com0