I’m sure glad that I came down to Denton, TX this weekend for Pistons And Paint! About 500 cars showed up and I was able to meet new people, see new cars, and spend time with close friends along the way.
Today’s post will be some cell phone photos of the event, while I do a couple of shoots here in TX before heading back home to prepare more for you tomorrow.
For years I’d had to shamefully admit that no I hadn’t been to Pistons & Paint in Denton, TX every time I’d been asked. This year I change that. So for the 46th Royboy gallery in the 2013 folder I headed down to Texas for the PnP.
Friday Nov. 8th 5:30 am Ugh, 5:30 in the AM… as in morning. Yuck. Already a half an hour behind my meaningless and self imposed schedule. But the bed was so comfy… just 10 more minutes of sleep… No. I have to get up, I have to get on the road. It’s time to kick this mule.
6:10 am I’m in the daily driver and headed south. The GPS is on, not so much because I need it but the app I use does allow other folks to warn you of potential speed traps. I might as well use it if it helps. There is just the faintest of hints of the impending sunrise on the horizon to my left as I blast south on what can be deer infested two lane country blacktops.
Heading out at 5:45 for Pistons And Paint
7:15am Okay so now I’m 15 minutes behind schedule, must have made up some time on those back roads. Now it’s time for breakfast with the Wichita guys. A group of car guys that I know gathers for breakfast at the same diner 6 days a week. It’s always a good time to join them, so I do just that. The guys liked the calendars that I showed them and they bought a bunch, even some strangers across the joint buy a couple.
8:30am Back on the road headed south to Nostalgia Sid’s in Guthrie, OK for a shop visit. Sid shows me around, I take some photos, learn more about that in an upcoming article right here.
11:40 am Nostalgia Sid’s Shop visit is over and now I’m off to Shoebox Central for a visit. More pics and a story again, coming soon!
1:00pm Heading south again this time headed for Atlas Speed & Custom in Denison, TX
4:00pm Hanging out with some old friends who have gathered at Atlas. More pics and a story from there soon as well.
We ended up gathering up a bunch of folks at a fried chicken place called Babe’s in the evening for dinner, it was pretty awesome.
More from the show tomorrow, see you at a show,
Royboy
Use the Subscribe box at the top right corner of the page to receive the latest posts via email each day
In 3 weeks (and 2 days) we’ve sold 76 Calendars, awesome!
The printing bill has been paid, more supplies have been paid for and delivered, total outlay is about $1033.41. So far we have taken in about $785 in calendar sales + shipping.
I have used that money plus $248 of my own to cover the printing costs and I will cover the shipping costs out of my own pocket until enough calendars are sold to pay that back. With 8 weeks left in the year we have to average 22 calendars a week and so far we’ve averaged 23 a week. This is where sales usually drop off a bit. Please share the links to the calendars to friends that have bought them in the past or you think would enjoy them, that extra sharing does really help get the word out.
Now the story gets interesting. As I sat down Wednesday evening Oct. 30th to start to assemble the freshly printed calendars I found that they had been printed incorrectly. In order to bind the calendars at the top the pages have to be printed so that the front and the back of the pages have the same orientation of top to bottom. These did not! 250 copies of wasted paper! As of the writing of this post (4am Central time) I have not heard back from the print shop but I left messages at 7pm on 2 voice mail accounts and 1 email. ***Update at 8:30am: The print shop is reprinting them all to be correct and hopefully I’ll be punching and binding 250 copies this weekend. *** Rest assured they will get printed and they will go out as promised.
The Hot Rods, Kustoms and Stray Kat Kustoms Editions are tied for best sellers so far with 22 sold each but I expect the Stray Kat Edition to take a commanding lead this weekend. If you want one you’d better reserve your copy now by ordering today. There will be NO reprints, it’s not cost-effective unless we’re doing a large batch.
Thanks folks for pushing this blog to 18,995 views since Aug. 15, 2013!!! October was the biggest month to date as well! Thanks so much for following my adventures look for feature articles, artist features and more to come!
See you at a show.
Royboy
Use the Subscribe box at the top right corner of the page to receive the latest posts via email each day.
Thanks to RJay’s Speed Shop, the first official sponsor of royboyproductions.com The owner of RJay’s is a friend & will treat you right!
Final installment of photos from the Hot Rod Garage Open House. You can find their facebook page here. I made a few passes through the event as there were a bunch of folks coming and going so there are some photos here that are repeats of vehicles from slightly different perspectives. Click on any photo to go to the entire photo gallery. When you see one you’d like to have as a print, just click the photo, then in the gallery click “add to cart.”
The cacklefest was a nice addition to an Open House, I was inside using the facilities when one of the cars fired up a wall away from me, it was impressive how much of the stuff in the room was rattling from that car sitting 8ft away. The shop has a bunch of high end projects on hand, it was really impressive to see them both the finished rides and the under construction ones.
An 88 year old racer drives this Vette, and judging from the look on his face when he was loading it on the trailer and decided to burp it for the crowd, he enjoys it.
Event Coverage: 2013 Hot Rod Garage Open House Part 3
The day went by quickly, as soon as I arrived I ran into Aaron from Fast AL’s Upholstery and as the morning went on more and more friends showed up. It’s always good to hang with your friends and ogle beautiful rides.
Lots of photos in this one! I posted about the 2013 Hot Rod Revolution when I heard the new date of November 23rd. Here’s another reminder for ya! If you have a 48 and older hot rod that’s traditionally styled (pre-63 style) this is one of the best shows in the country for you to hit. I’m planning on heading down for a 21 hour round trip even though I don’t have any cars that fit the criteria, this show impressed me that much the first two times I went. Go to the HRR website for more info.
Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!Like this photo? Put some gas in my tank by buying a print of it!
See you at a show,
Royboy
Use the Subscribe box at the top right corner of the page to receive the latest posts via email each day
Don’t forget to get your 2014 Calendar for Charity order in ASAP! They’re already going fast, once they’re gone they’re gone!
On the way home from Lamar, MO last weekend I took a detour to go visit my buddy Aaron at Fast AL’s Upholstery in Dewey, OK. Aaron recently had his Open House which marked his 1st year anniversary going full time from his shop. Aaron has had a constant stream of kool rides through the shop in that time and he has them lined up for the foreseeable future due to his reasonable prices and excellent work.
Here are some photos of an incredible 32 that Fast AL’s has in shop right now.
Aaron explaining the seat to Mickey
Sneak peek of the car. I hope to shoot more of it soon so not too much for now.
The start of the trunk panels
Next to the 32 is a 30 A on 32 rails that Aaron is working on for himself.
Headliner is in, lots of other work going on here too.
See you at a show,
Royboy
Use the Subscribe box at the top right corner of the page to receive the latest posts via email each day
Don’t forget to get your 2014 Calendar for Charity order in ASAP! They’re already going fast, once they’re gone they’re gone!
Oct. 12, 2013 was a busy day, in addition to the Ol Geezers Car Show in Lamar, MO that I went to, and the Iron Invasion that Dan’s Hot Rod Photo went to, there was also the Atomic Rod And Custom Show put on by the Agitators Car Club. My buddy TwoTall Okie (Travis Miller) went to the show and snapped a few photos to share with everyone here.
Saturday was not all about the show, in the evening a bunch of us gathered at a local diner for dinner and stories, the stories continued back at the host hotel and even to a late evening Dairy Queen run because Mickey was not to be denied this delicacy not found in Oklahoma. We partied pretty hard, getting kicked out of the DQ at 10pm, then back to the host hotel for some more kustom fellowship before calling it a night.
Sunday started with some coupons for free biscuits and gravy at the diner then we watched the cars roll in and hung out in the waning hours of the show before packing up and hitting the road back to our respective lairs. I took the opportunity to head with Mickey over to Dewey to Fast AL’s Upholstery to see what was Aaron up to. More on that in a couple of days.
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
A kool row of cars, except for the hoods being open on a few of the cars.
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
A great looking 59 Thunderbird from Colorado.
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
Even the spectators rolled in style.
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
One of the many Mercs at the show.
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
The kids were treated to train rides all day Saturday.
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
Walker’s 59 Chevy
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
Don explaining his kool ride and yes he really did drive down from outside Chicago to be here.
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
Aaaand my ride again.
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
Mickey sharing his heart and some memories of the late Ralph Schindel
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
Awards
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
Although the show was smaller than many I attend I was blessed with the opportunity to spend some time talking to some folks that I don’t get to see often enough or when we do we’re in such big crowds that we don’t have time to talk. Lamar presented plenty of time to talk.
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
Bill Moore’s Merc.
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
You don’t see this body style often.
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
AJ Foyt on the side panel, I don’t know if it’s an actual Foyt car or a replica but it’s kool as hell regardless.
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
Bill Moore just before he caught me taking his pic.
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
Friday night I arrived at the Super 8 hotel expecting something on par with my last Super 8 experience, in which I left a pre-paid room because it skeeved me out so badly. I found this was not the case, a great hotel that looks to be just a couple of years old, very clean, friendly staff and they even hooked us all up with some hot dogs, chili and nachos for free for a Friday evening B.S. session.
I spent most of the evening with friends old and new talking kustoms and car shows, I was told stories of the way things used to be and I longed to be there. Saturday morning I woke at 5am to a thunderstorm rolling through, I rolled over and promptly went back to sleep. Around 8am I woke up, enjoyed the free biscuits and gravy and then headed for the car wash and the show. $10 entry fee at the gate and I was into one of the smallest yet koolest shows that I have seen. Great atmostphere, kool rides, and some great people, it was a good day.
This Merc is one of many that I’ve seen lately that originally was a 4 door.
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
Mundy’s 58 Pontiac Wagon
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
Mike Patterson’s Merc
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
Great looking Merc, not as popular a body style as the 49-51 but still cool.
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
There were some nice hot rods there too.
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
Dick’s Chevy is just so simple and I dig the hell out of it.
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
Jack Walker’s 59 Chevy
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
Krobe brought “Blue” over from Stray Kat-Land
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
Nice car. The dog thing… I can do without, at least it wasn’t a crybaby leaning on a bumper… I would have punted that.
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
Another Merc body style that you don’t see as often but still can be damn kool.
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
Good looking Shoebox.
Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!
A few months ago I received an invitation in the mail to a show with a funny name, the Ol Geezers Car Show in Lamar, MO. I hadn’t heard of the show before, hell I hadn’t heard of Lamar, MO before and the show was on the same date as the 2nd Iron Invasion and I already had a room booked for that show so I set the post card aside and made a note to promote the show but I was going to Iron Invasion.
Then came the KKOA Leadsled Spectacular weekend. talking to some friends that said they were going to the show with the funny name in the town I’d never heard of got me to thinking. 1st I am good friends with John Wells promoter of Iron Invasion, and I said I would be there… but so would a handful of other photographers. A couple of which would be trying to sell photos to the same magazines as I would be. 2nd, Iron Invasion is a good 11 hour drive from my home, Lamar is 4.5. Iron Invasion was a good time last year, but this was a new show to me, and some very respected kustom guys were going to Lamar. I made a gut call and changed my plans.
I’m glad I did. Now, I do wish I could have been at Iron Invasion, I HATE that I missed it, but I got to spend some invaluable time with a couple of folks this weekend that really was amazing. Sitting and talking kustoms, car shows, shenanigans and more I realized that these little moments in the host hotel parking lots are the ones that mean something. I made new friends this weekend with people that have combined 100+ years of kustom car building and driving. These are good folks to have amongst your friends, they’ve made the mistakes you’re about to make and may help you survive when you make the same mistakes that they have.
Enough of the touchy feely stuff, here’s some photos!
There were so many kool rides at the Ol Geezer show that Wyatt Earp came back to his one time home of Lamar, MO to see them.
Yet another shot of my car.
My buddy Don TooTall Wallin made the 11 1/2 hour trip down to Lamar to hang out with some kustom folks. Don’s car has been shot for a magazine feature by our mutual friend and occasional guest blogger here Dan Podobinski of Dan’s Hot Rod Photo. This car burned to the ground on the side of a road 6 years ago, it’s been a long journey back to life but I think you’ll agree it was a success.
The show had a nice selection of kustoms, cruisers, hot rods, a couple of muscle cars, trucks and handful of classic rides.
A few years ago I was inspired to start a fun run event since my friends like to drive their cars more than just show them. Looking through the calendar I found a big gap between the Hobo Happening in Douglass, KS mid November and the Starbird-Devlin show in Wichita, KS in January, December was wide open. In Kansas December can be a real pain, then again it can be downright nice.
A date was picked, invitations were sent out via email and the H.A.M.B. and Stray Kat Kustoms came up with the perfect name, the Mid Decembrrrr Run! 10-12 cars showed up for various parts of that first run in 2010. We gathered in my home town of Gypsum, KS and headed out in the windy 13 degree F weather for McPherson College in McPherson, KS to tour their auto restoration course facilities. That was well worth the stop, very very high end skills being taught there in Mac.
2010 Mid Decembrrrr Run2010 Mid Decembrrrr Run2010 Mid Decembrrrr Run
Then it was off on some backroads to visit the Kansas Motorcycle Museum in Marquette, KS. Best $5 I ever spent! You need to check this place out!
Then we loaded up for a long haul west to Kanopolis lake and back around on old Highway 40 to Salina for a shop visit at Calvin’s Customs. Calvin is always open for us for the Mid Decembrrrr Run and it’s much appreciated.
2010 Mid Decembrrrr Run2010 Mid Decembrrrr Run
My friends at the Paramount hosted a chili and hot dog dinner before we went to the Stiefel Theatre to watch that year’s KKOA DVD by Vintage Torque.
2010 Mid Decembrrrr Run2010 Mid Decembrrrr Run
It was a lot of fun to watch the DVD on the big screen! Neal was the champ of the day, driving his Canopy Express 2.5 hours from Ottawa, KS to Gypsum, driving around with us all day, staying all the way through the movie then driving home IN THE SNOW! Road warrior that one.
The next year it was 56 degrees, the 3rd year it was in the 40’s so it’s not always cold!
2010 Mid Decembrrrr Run
We’re doing it again this year, but this year will be a short run, in 2012 we really went on a long drive so I wanted this one to be short. We’ll start in Gypsum, KS again and drive some back roads over to Abilene, KS to the Eisenhower Presidential Museum, if the shutdown is over by then and they are back open. This should provide a nice place for us to hang out for a couple of hours and mingle with other car folk and see some interesting history at the same time. After that a leisurely drive down old 40 Highway to Salina where I’m sure we’ll hit Calvin’s Customs to see what he’s been up to and then to the Paramount where I hope to be screening a film. That part is still up in the air.
Yes you are welcome to drive your late model car if it’s better suited to the weather, this event is about driving some kool roads in the area, seeing some interesting sights and most importantly about spending time with the rod/kustom family.
Join us on December 14th in Gypsum, KS at 10am for the run and stay with us all day long. Click here to join the Facebook event and keep up to date on all of the news of the event, I will remind everyone via the blog again about a month out.
After a quick run out to Russell, KS to check out the Flatland Car Show earlier in the day I headed 90 miles east to Abilene, KS to see friends and family at the Chisholm Trail Days event. This is a small event as far as the car show goes, I didn’t have time to cover the Antique Tractor show but it looked well packed with restored tractors of yesteryear.
See you at a show,
Royboy
Use the Subscribe box on the right to receive the latest posts via email each day—————————–>
The 2014 Calendar For Charity is available for pre-order now! There are 5 editions available, 50 copies of each, that’s all that will ever be made.
Pre-order ends Oct. 31. The calendars will be printed the first week of November and will be shipped the 2nd week.
Over $1000 was raised for charity last year, help top that number this year! Hot Rods, Trucks, & Kustoms editions will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. Stray Kat Kustoms edition will benefit the Red Cross. The Greaserama Edition beneficiary has not been decided as of this posting.
Click the thumbnail photo to go to the store page to order yours!
Note: There may be some design changes along the way but this is basically what the calendars will look like.
Tell your friends, get one for the car guy or gal in your life, make sure you don’t delay because when they are gone, they are gone.
I’ve been blessed to meet a ton of great artists in my travels, many of them do not get the press/credit that they deserve often working full-time day jobs and doing art on the side. One of the guys that I’ve met along the way that’s become a good friend is Todd Jones. Enjoy some of his work, add him on Facebook and get you some art! – Royboy
Todd was my guest on my podcast “Chrome Pipes & Pinstripes” Episode 5, listen here!
Artist Feature : Todd C. Jones
1.) Do you remember an “ah-ha” moment that made you know that art was going to be an integral part of your life?
I realized it fairly early in life. I always had a keen interest in art. Junior High/ Middle School was when I began to take art seriously. My mind was like a sponge soaking up every bit of knowledge about the subject. I was like any typical teen that was into cars, sports, music and girls, but was always most comfortable with a pencil or paintbrush in my hand. I was a pretty quiet kid so art really became the great communicator for me. Drawing was a great way to start up conversations with people. To this day, art is largely responsible for the majority of my friendships.
2.) If you could pick 1 piece of your work that would represent the entire body of your work, which one would you choose?
That’s a difficult one! I’d have to say the front-engined dragster piece I title “The Gold Digger” I was really just screwing around when I started that piece. Never truly intended to finish it. I had no plan, no direction, no goal in mind. I just started sketching. I just kept drawing and continually refining the piece. Before long I was digging up old photo references settling on several photos of the Masters & Richter Special and a few photographs of Ed Pink’s digger. The piece continually evolved and I was very pleased with the end result.
3.) Who or what most inspires your work?
My earliest recollection of being inspired was seeing several side view drawings of old hot rods my dad drew back when he was in high school around 1959-1961. Later, my cousin introduced me to CARtoons magazine. I learned a lot from George Trosley, Dave Deal, Shawn Kerri, and Dennis Ellefson. Later influence came from Thom Taylor, Charlie Smith, Darrell Mayabb and Chip Foose. I am constantly looking for inspiration. I get a lot of motivation from friends in the business. Ed Tillrock, Brian Stupski, Jeff Norwell, Max Grundy, Chad Lampert and Scott Fisk to name a few. Another artist that I get inspired by is Josh Welton, welder and metal sculptor extraordinaire. He’s an amazing welder and seems to have a knack for bringing his work to life.
4.) Is there an artistic style or process that you haven’t tried yet that you want to try?
There are so many styles and processes I’d love to try. I want to explore with oil painting, both metal and clay sculpture, and I’d love to get back into watercolor painting. 5.) What’s 1 piece of advice you’d give an artist that’s just starting out today?
Don’t expect to get wealthy doing art. Do it for the passion and love of art. Never stop working to improve your skills and remember to try processes that are outside your comfort zone. Be persistent, make lots of contacts and maintain them. Never give up.
I’ve known Johnny Torres for a few years now, so when he invited me down to the Open House at his Johnny Torres Upholstery at 915 S. Main in Hutchinson, KS of course I was going to make the trip. I’ve watched his car go from primered and just on the road to finished kustom, it’s been a fun ride. He has been doing kustom upholstery work for a while now both here and occasionally out in CA when he goes out to visit his Beatnik brethren. I’ve captioned the photos so they should tell the story.
The scene outside of Johnny Torres Upholstery for the Open HouseThe scene outside of Johnny Torres Upholstery for the Open House1964 Galaxie outside of Johnny Torres Upholstery for the Open HouseThe scene outside of Johnny Torres Upholstery for the Open HouseRoy Fields’ 49 Ford outside of Johnny Torres Upholstery for the Open HouseJohnny’s Plymouth outside of Johnny Torres Upholstery for the Open HouseJohnny’s 41 Chevy outside of Johnny Torres Upholstery for the Open HouseInside Johnny’s shopA clean 32 Sedan sitting outsideThe scene outside of Johnny Torres Upholstery for the Open HouseThe scene outside of Johnny Torres Upholstery for the Open HouseBeatniks 20 Year Plaque
While hanging out I ran into one of Johnny’s friends Roy Field who along with his brother Justin and dad have a shop space across the street about a block up from Johnny’s place. Roy has a beautiful 49 Ford that you see above, and has a Bonneville car and they’re working on a dragster and his dad was KKOA member #6. Roy invited me over to see the shop and bit of his dad’s automobilia collection.
KKOA #6, he’s been in this from way back in the day.I’ve seen the car around for years it was great to finally meet the owner.A serious collection.Roy’s been backwards and out of control faster than I’ve been forwards.A project Roy says he started on when he was 14, I hope to see it done someday.Roy’s brother Justin is building a new body on Roy’s dragster that he bought from Rick McGregor.Pretty stylish.Another project and tons of signage.He called himself a hoarder, not that it makes you a bad person.The Bonneville car, new engine on the way hoping to improve on the previous 220mph effort.Kinda giving me the jones to head out to the salt next year.It’s a good looking machine, the new body is making it even better looking.Bird’s eye viewYou don’t see these too often, out of a fire truck its a v12 GMC
Here’s where I apologize, I tried a new lens hand held in this low light and the results were less than stellar. I shot maybe 30 more photos and none of them came out, I will not be using that lens in this situation again.
Today I’m off to shoot 2 small town Kansas shows, tomorrow the coverage from those shows will start, early next week expect to see the first drafts of the 2014 Calendar for Charity!
Don’t forget to Subscribe to this blog to get it daily, you can use the email subscription box on the right or the RSS feed found at the very top right hand corner or in the links at the bottom of the page. If you have a business that would fit in with this type of content and you want to reach a dedicated Hot Rod/Kustom car audience, contact me for info on advertising here.
See you at a show,
Royboy
———————————————————————————————————————-
Support keeping this blog free by picking up some kool stuff
From time to time when I cannot make an event I’m asking some friends to write up a piece and take some photos at the event so I can share them with you. This time it’s everyone’s buddy Nick Hoesing who along with some other die hards drove 2800 miles round trip from Omaha, NE to Baltimore, MD for the 2013 Rodder’s Journal Revival. Follow Nick on Instagram here. Enjoy! – Royboy
—————————————————————————————————————————————–
The 2013 Rodder’s Journal Revival was one of the best road trips I’ve ever been on. Jason Holland and I left Omaha, Nebraska, on the Tuesday before the event and met up with Dave Gray and Kirk Hanning the next evening in Ohio. We arrived in Baltimore on Thursday afternoon at the Fells Point kick-off party. We were immediately greeted and welcomed to the East Coast with open arms. The whole event seemed to be laid back, well organized, and trouble-free. Friday morning’s cruise up to Havre de Grace was a very scenic tour through some of the Maryland countryside. Friday evening’s low light photo session gathering at the Pimlico show venue produced a great sampling of the type of cars we’d see more of throughout the weekend. Saturday and Sunday at the Revival were two great days full of live music, incredible cars, friendly people, great weather, and the perfect setting for this type of event. We headed towards home on Sunday afternoon and arrived back on Tuesday afternoon, without any major issues. It was a great week on the road and I definitely want to make the trip out East again next year.
Thanks again Nick! Folks if you want this blog delivered to your email daily go to the top right hand corner of the page and add your email to the box you find there.
When the show was started it was in June and ran from 4p-10p, now that it’s in September, the show ends up at 8pm after the pinup contest and the awards. Perfect timing to head to my favorite pizza joint in Wichita then head to the after party. I had a really good time and I will be back next year.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Nice bike!
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Some of the ladies of the pinup contest.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
And then it was just me and my ride. Time to go grab a bite to eat and head to the after party.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
That’s it for this show, click here and see the entire gallery!
Soooo, I got a lot of photos of my lady friends on stage and a few more with them next to some cars. Who can blame me, really? They were nice enough to walk around with me after their performance and pose by some cars and I am not stupid, pretty girl + kool car = WIN!
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Here’s the trophy table, all kool hand made trophies, because those mean more.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Happy Birthday Steve!
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Kool kid hauler!
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
The hosts of the show.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Gimlet wanted to be the one to stand next to McPhail’s 41.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Compromise
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
The girls posed for a couple of photos with Joe’s white truck last year, so we had to shoot with his 40 Ford too.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
We were kinda running up against the clock so I didn’t have time to run back to the car and grab flashes or reflectors, damn.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
With the girls gone, and all of the guys focusing back on talking cars now, it was back to shooting car show coverage photos. How kool is this?
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
One of 3 Galaxies at the show.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Some will call this a rat, I just say its unrefined.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Another kool truck that I see all over the place.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
There was a lot of orange at the show, and all of it was well done. Some great quality paint work.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Not too many bikes at the show, I could definitely use more of the style that showed up.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Larry James’ Caddy
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Okay, I need this.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Again with Elvis’ Caddy? Yeah again.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Its a good time seeing this truck launch at the drag strip.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Primary’s members cars.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
The Go Away Garage hosted a panel jam with some heavy hitters around the table. Lots of kool art was created.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
That’s it for this post, more throughout the week or you can click here and see the entire gallery, 1 more post tomorrow to finish it up!
The show started at 1pm after some morning weather, that may have scared some folks off, but the die hards still came and were rewarded with perfect fall weather. From the time I rolled in at 1pm until leaving at 8pm it was perfection. The stage for the bands, pinup contest and awards was setup under the Kellogg flyover, and surrounded by cars as I rolled in. Later cars filled the adjacent parking lot, there was room in those two areas for 30 or so more cars as things were set up, and room up the street for a ton more as the show grows.
This ride is a regular at cruise night up in Salina, there will be more info on it coming, stay tuned 🙂
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Something about this ride I really dig, maybe it’s the attention getting paint, maybe it’s the pie cut slicks, maybe it’s a lot of stuff.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
So much style in the Pontiacs
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Simple recipe, and it works.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Ooops I thought I had another shot of this truck without people walking almost in front of it. That’s the risk I take when shooting from so far away at a car show.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Like I said yesterday, I see Jason and his truck everywhere and I cant stop taking photos of it.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Nice looking roadster.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Another simple recipe with great results.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
I think I should shoot a feature on it, and get the skinny on all of the details for you, what do you think?
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
So much cleaner without the handles and the factory turn signals.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
I’ve shot dozens of photos of Joe’s Caddy over the years. I shouldn’t love it so much but I do, and I don’t care who knows.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Matt’s roadster is just too kool.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Hey that’s not a traditional hot rod or kustom! Yeah… I know. It’s my site I make the rules.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Cassie’s 57
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Oh sweet Nadine. For most of you, your ride wishes it had this many miles and was still kickin.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
Chad Ward was busy painting off the tailgate of his ride.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
My buddy Elvis’ Caddy, yes he knows his tire is going flat.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
A couple of my favorite Dirty Martinis entertaining the crowd with song and dance.
Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.
That’s it for this post, more throughout the week or you can click here and see the entire gallery.
The Rumble (formerly Rumble in Delano) has been going on each year in Wichita for a few years now. This is the second year for the show’s new late September date and the first time for the show’s new location just south of the Go Away Garage in downtown Wichita. Those two changes can be tough for a show to survive, but from my experience Saturday I think the show came through fine.
I really dig the under Kellogg/US-54 location, it just has an interesting and kool look about it. Here’s my Galaxie when I rolled in. As always, to purchase any of these photos as a print, click on it and you’ll be taken to the gallery where you can pick size and paper style. Metallic is my favorite paper right now but they all have their own place to be used and the site will even tell you what each does best.
There were quite a few early arrivers like myself.
Doug’s Toad and McPhail’s 41 Buick at the registration booth.
A few of the pinstripers hung out at the Go Away Garage and had a panel jam.
The platform out side of the Go Away Garage made for a great place to watch the incoming rides.
Jason and his truck have been at a lot of the same shows as I have been lately, and I’m not complaining.
Jack and his 51 leading in a few friends from the Mulvane Marauders. The 51 and Joe’s 41 Ford Pickup behind it took home 4 combined awards. The awards were hand made and painted and some of the koolest I’ve seen all year so far. Congrats to Fast AL’s Upholstery on the Best Interior award on the 51.
The month of September has been a busy one. With an event every weekend and most of those weekends with multiple option of events to attend, it’s definitely been a good time. October is shaping up much the same way. I thought I’d give you a list of the events that I’m going to attend and some that I can’t, hopefully I will have friends turning in coverage from the ones that I cannot make so that you and I can enjoy the photos. Without further ado, here is the schedule.
One of my many talented friends doing upholstery for a living. Johnny is having an open house at his shop in Hutchinson, KS on Friday night before the big Saturday show in downtown Hutch.
Salina, KS – NOT A CAR SHOW – This one is not a car show, has nothing to do with cars, but is a mainstay on my schedule. I have worked as a stage hand and later as an assistant engineer for the BluesMasters at the Crossroads at Blue Heaven Studios since 2000. If you are a fan of blues music this is the place to be Friday and Saturday nights.
Oct. 26th
Sand Springs, OK – Hot Rod Garage is a well known high end hot rod and custom shop in the Tulsa area. The 26th is their open house and I’ve heard that there will be 12 front engine dragsters on display among a bunch of customer cars and more. Definitely looking forward to heading down to this event for the first time.
November
November will continue the busy schedule with an event every weekend, I may even do one on Thanksgiving weekend if I can make enough money to cover the gas to Denver and back after going to Oklahoma once and Texas twice!
