Grand National Roadster Show...

Heading down south to the 62nd GNRS in the morning. I am looking forward to this show, it's one that I have been going to for most of my life, as a youngster in Oakland, to SF and now to Pomona. It remains about as good as a huge indoor show can be. The kustoms will have a spotlight on them this year, and that will be cool to see some of the early cars, as well as the builders. Also, I am looking forward to seeing the bikes, and from the preview on Troy's site "Chicomoto" they look to be great. It should be a great day of cars, bikes, friends and ideas. I will try to get a bunch of pictures to post.

Craigslist...

The Boy sent me these fuzzy cell phone pictures of his Craigslist find from today. 62' Ironhead built in the late 60's in the East Bay Area, and left relatively untouched. Black plate, gold and silver leaf, and runs perfect. Great score!

Wheelee...

This looks fun!

Pick-upless...

We have friends from Europe, that came and stayed with our family. They could not believe the number of trucks on the road in the U.S. They said that at least in Germany, no one owns a pick-up truck. Knowing that, these pictures are pretty funny...

HARO...

Above, the hand made prototype that started it all...

As a kid, Bob Haro was one of my all time hero's. I met him in 1980 at a BMX race in Angel's Camp Ca. (home of the Frog Jump). At that time he was driving a lifted Toyota 4x4, and that was at a time when their were very few Toyota four wheel drive trucks on the road, let alone lifted with big tires. This was at the start of the freestyle deal, and he did some 1/4 pipe tricks and wowed the crowd. He signed a Action Now magazine for me and I was stoked. My parents bought me a Haro number plate for my Panda BMX bike, that they were selling off of the Toyota tailgate. I wish that I still had that plate, but it's long gone. That was a great day!

Charlie Louvin 1927-2011...

Charlie Louvin passed away today at age 83, after fighting cancer for the last year. The Louvin Brothers were great, and have been a favorite in my shop for years (guaranteed to give you "chicken skin"). Their harmony's inspired many singers since, including Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris. After his brother died in 1963 in a car accident, Charlie continued making albums up until his death. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Grand Ole Opry. So give a listen in his honor, he will be missed, but his influence will continue for years. Upon finding out that he had cancer, Louvin said " I'm not afraid to die, we are all going to do that. Just give me another year or two". RIP Mr. Louvin...

Cops and Outlaws...

Hacienda...

Unlike any ranch I've been to...

Grand National this weekend...

GNRS... I'm looking forward to this one. Should be a great gathering of historic kustoms and builders. This weekend...

Jack Lalanne 1914-2011

Local fitness celebrity Jack Lalanne passed away this afternoon just over the hill in Morro Bay. For years Jack Lalanne would appear on the local news, and give a quick fitness lesson. Most of the time they were quite amusing, he would always talk over his wife, as he told her how to move her arms in a circular motion, the correct way. But this guy had a long productive life, and he will be missed.

Crew Cab...

Here is the other rendering that I needed to get done. Danny needed a drawing, to present a proposed build to a client of his. I am really having more fun than I thought I would with these quick loose sketches. I think that I'll keep it up...

Schlitz flashlight...

Cool flashlight today at the auction, I thought of you Mike, but there was an older gentleman there buying everything, and he wanted this lot way worse than anyone else.

Practical & stylish...

Ok, so this is cool. I ran across these pics a while back, and now I want one. I need to figure out how to make a bicycle gun rack for my 37' Hawthorne Zep. I'm sure it is not practical in this day and age, but it is cool. Red Ryder tote, I don't think you can get into much trouble with a BB Gun...

Generation gap...

My 80 something year old neighbour lady started laughing at me, as I gave my work truck a wash tonight. She can't understand why I would bother. In the past, other neighbors have told me, that she has said to them, that she thinks my old cars bring the property value down. I feel like telling her to mind her own business, but I just smile to keep the peace. I have a theory, that older people are just angry, that older cars are aging better than they are, and that this pisses them off. Although, I could be wrong, but one things for sure, I will take my old truck any day over her 87' Cutlass...

Today/Tonight

Get it!!!

Pine Street Saloon...

Here is my first quick sketch. The Pine Street Saloon, in Paso Robles, wants me to letter the name in the area above the windows. In order for the city to allow that, they want a visual idea of what it will look like. Sharpie marker and pastels. After all, photo shopping lettering onto a picture of the bar, would be too easy...

Drawing today...

Drawing today, I have to put together a couple of renderings for jobs today. I prefer to still use pen and paper, by hand. To me it feels a little more personal (although it seems to anger everyone in the print-silkscreen-business card field, as they have all forgotten how to use "camera ready" artwork). I love to put an idea down on paper, in this traditional way, because quite often, the artwork is saved, or even framed. You never know, where a quick sketch will lead...
Hitlers "quick sketch" on a cafe napkin, of what he thought the peoples car should look like... One of his better ideas.

Biking beauties...

It is refreshing to see proper retro beauties. Unlike the girls today, that attempt to replicate the look. No tattoo's, fake boobs or attitudes. Just beautiful...

Color Wheels

Tonight's Inspiration...

Just Beautiful...