The Old West is coming to Our Store
The
opening of the American West has created what the world now recognizes as this
nations greatest epic. Hand painted images that empower that portion of our
heritage on a special motorcycle will soon be on display
here. You’ll imagine the jangle of spurs, the thunder of a stampede
and having to smack the dust off your chaps as you enjoy looking at the
extensive paint job reminiscent of this reining era, now gone
by. Details are what make a bike interesting and you will not be
disappointed as you peruse the many carefully painted elements that take you
back to that colorful age of the old west.
“America’s
Premier Motorcycle Artist” is coming to our store. While here, the artist will
have his personal bike, “The Letterfly Wild West Limited Edition” motorcycle on
display as he creates hand painted designs on motorcycles. Pinstriping, flames,
feathers, pictorials, inscriptions and custom images of all kinds will be
created right before your very eyes. The Old School manner of creating designs
with paint not only heightens pride in ownership but also serves to distinguish
your machine from the rest.
The
inspiration for the theme of the Wild West bike was influenced by the artist’s
favorite subject matter, the horse.
“I
recognized an opportunity to showcase what I do best, with skills and abilities
that are unique to the old school artisan to create a one-of-a-kind show
piece.”
Starting
with a two tone paint job, soft colors from long ago create a nostalgic
foundation for the artwork to reside. A gentle sprinkling of old school flake
in the clear coat provides a hint of sparkle that draws the viewer in for a
closer look.
Portraits
of Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley, Gold leaf décor reminiscent of the era of
gilded ornamental fire fighting apparatus and the ages old artisan trade of the
sign painter, now gone, show up as many of the decorative elements on the bike.
To
animate the scenes and validate being an equine artist, lots of horses were
rendered one at a time, and these easily qualify as a labor of love.
Every
square inch of the paint job on this bike was accomplished at the combination
home/studio/paint shop in Florida, a quiet oak haven called ArtPark, where the
shop, studio, gallery and paint facility for complete, over-all paint jobs on
motorcycles, hot rods, motor homes and specialty trailers take place during the
winter months when the tour, providing services in various locations across the
country is complete.
Although
an accomplished airbrush artist, the decision to render all the pictorial work
on this bike using the wet blended with brushes technique was important. During
the six months Letterfly is on the road, serving customer dedicated
Harley-Davidson stores across the country; imagery is created using brushes,
reserving the requests for sensational airbrushed work for the winter months
while at ArtPark where the spray booth is. In this adequate facility many
over-all paint jobs take place and the delicate nature of airbrushing can
receive high quality protective clear coat.
While
the artist is at our store, make sure to stop by to see this beautiful bike,
peruse the scenes and decorations, flip through the photo books filled with
examples of artwork created for other bikers, watch as yet another
one-of-a-kind design is created on someone’s motorcycle, ask the artist a
question about an idea you have for a special image for your bike, or just
relax, hang out and enjoy the atmosphere of creativity that surrounds Letterfly
wherever he goes.
