Probably should be subtitled ‘Heading back to my roots - the transitional period’!
This was the time that manufacturing was set aside, and I as able to concentrate 100% on my artwork. Everything from logos and character creation, to residential interior installations, to the painting of guitars, motorcycles, mailboxes, and helmets. And more helmets. Predominately driver and crew helmets for NASCAR. Did I mention I painted helmets?!
In Armadilla’s twilight years, I attended a social event (quit your snickering - it happens) and had the good fortune to bump into Ron Fellows, (a more than worthy google - if you don’t already recognize the name) and compared some old race stories. As a keen hockey fan, Ron was aware of work with Armadilla, and asked if I was up for helping him with his race helmet. As Ron continued to kick ass, I rode his coattails into NASCAR. He told 2 friends, they told 2 friends, and they told 2 friends. Wash, rinse, repeat. The fun continued, the client list grew, the fun continued.
It was wide open for a lot of years. The good news was there were a lot of trips south. A lot of weekend trips to the tracks. Studio shelves lined with work. A lot of trips south. A lot of weekend trips to the tracks. The challenges came with a lot of trips south. A lot of weekend trips to the tracks. Studio shelves lined with work. A lot of trips south. A lot of weekend trips to the tracks. Amazing how close yin and yang can be!
I count my blessings as to how fortunate I had been to have been to be hundreds of miles from the marrow of the action, and be able to maintain as many interested parties as I have, and be able to work with some of the industry’s biggest and brightest stars.
However, the constant time away has taken it’s toll, and an adjustment needed to happen. Time for a tweak. Who knew a trip to Tennessee could have such an effect?