In Armadilla’s twilight years, I attended a social event (quit your snickering – it happens) and had the good fortune to bump back into Canadian racing legend, Ron Fellows, and compare some old race stories. As a keen hockey fan, Ron was aware of my work with Armadilla, and asked if I was up for helping him with a race helmet. As Ron continued to forge his way into the upper arenas of motorsport, I was fortunate enough to be caught up in his vortex.
Probable should be titled 'Heading back to my roots - the transitional period'!
This was the time that manufacturing was set aside, and I was 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?!
The aforementioned random meeting with Ron Fellows (a more that worthy google - if you don't already recognize the name) along with a reacquainting with an old neighbourhood friend who transplanted to North Carolina, paved the way for some timely introduction to some major players within the NASCAR community. They told 2 friends, they told 2 friends, 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 lots 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 track. Amazing how close yin and yang can be!
I count my blessings as to how fortunate I have 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 its toll and an adjustment had to happen. Time for a tweak. Who knew a trip to Tennessee could have such an effect?
