Vette Week Begins!

Let's start it off with the grand debut of the C2ZR1 this past weekend at Corvettes at Carlisle. Just about ten months ago, Jeff over at Heartland Customs gave me a shout, and we threw ideas around for a car that we had both almost left for dead. (Rewind to the previous Summer, and there were rumblings afoot for a project that merged then-upcoming ZR1 running gear with a second-generation Vette, and Jeff had a notebook loaded with ideas and visions... and then, as happens with these things, life intervened, and the project fell dormant...) Back to last October... The project was back on, and Jeff was seeking the right client, and I was given the go-light to start drawing. Stoked? Oh heck yeah... With his attention to detail, this would be killer.

A few phone calls and emails later, I had created some artwork:

With literally dozens of subtle (and a few not-so-subtle) mods, the car went from timeless, iconic Chevrolet design statement to nasty, yet eerily-refined evil bruiser in a few short days:

Aside from the obvious technological advancements bein thrown at the car, it just had to have that over-the-top WOW-factor... and speaking of top, it was decided early on that this '64 was going to have a carbon fiber roof, no if's, and's or but's.

It's fiber-licious:

We'll show more on the car very soon... but wanted to throw a sneak peek at the incredible work of Jeff and his crew, and at the same time, give them a huge pat on the back for yet another job so well done, it just kinda makes us all giddy thinking of where they'll be in a few years. I've had the incredible honor of watching them turn out some amazing iron (and 'glass... this being our second 'Vette project together), and when you think about the excitement that their work brings... well... imagine it from my perspective. Front row seats are cool... but getting to add some color commentary? Better still.

Keep looking in this week for not only more on this great car, but for some exciting new Corvette reading material! Yup... we got some new books in, and will serve up some toasty-hot reviews and ordering info, too. Stay up-to-date on our site at www.problemchildkustoms.com

Garage Sale!

If you're a fan or friend of ours on Facebook, then you've probably seen what we've been doing with the page, and how it's starting to take on a life of its own. Between the blogs, sneak peeks and more, we're stoked about the new features, and are adding more all of the time!

One popular feature has been the Garage Sale (you'll need to be a fan to view it)... We've been offering one-off's, originals and protoypes, and have much more on the way. Some has reached actual bidding war, while other items have gone for literally pennies on the dollar.

We have two new items up for grabs this weekend, with an anaglyph (a 3D image) that hung in the Hot Rod Art Book: Masters of Chicken Scratch show at GINAC Gallery last year... It is framed, includes killer Wayfarer-style glasses, and is signed. A true one-off collectible indeed.

We recently packed and shipped off this original:

...which was a detailed, mixed media Tour de Force, and the new owner is stoked.

Get in on the deals, and grab some great stuff as we make room in the Studio for new projects and capabilities! Hope to see you there, and thanks!

Like it's 1999!

...and yeah, it's a little crazy, but so was this past year.

Starting today (12.30.09), you can order a single-view rendering (front 3/4, rear 3/4 or profile, whichever you like!) at prices we had in 1999! That's right, a single-view rendering of your hot rod, custom car, street machine, classic, daily driver, whatever for a discount! (pricing info is on our site at problemchildkustoms.com)  That's a fully-detailed, highest quality, 19x13-inch piece of art, ready to frame at HUGE savings...

These aren't some knocked-back, lesser quality versions.... These are the real deal, Studio PCK renderings as you've seen in the magazines and the Hot Rod Art Book. The very same detailed pieces we provide to the top shops when laying out a project car, or preparing artwork for promotional use and portraits as well!

All work is of the highest quality, and all renderings come delivered on superior quality stock, feature archival inks (8-color process with incredible depth and saturation), and are ready to frame. Naturally, all of this is subject to a limited-time offer, and full details are available on our site at www.problemchildkustoms.com

It's our way of saying "Thank You" for getting to do what we love every day, and saving you some cash on some great art. This is an incredible time to get that one-of-a-kind gift for someone special, and perhaps even knock out next years Christmas list for your hot rod building family member or enthusiast. Thanks again, and feel free to hit us up HERE, or give us a call in the Studio (contact info is HERE) with any questions, or to get the ball rolling on YOUR rendering. Happy New Year, and thanks again!

Happy Holidays...

to all of our friends and colleagues! A HUGE thanks to all who supported us this year, and to our "regulars" for the faith in what we do! Nothing beats hearing those words "just do what you do... run with it!". Just know we appreciate it!

With a shaky year now drifting into the past, here's hoping that 2010 brings out some more creativity and a willingness to really "push the envelope". I can't begin to explain what a cool year this was in a few short sentences, but I'll give you a quick summary of the places and people that made it such a killer year. Howzabout a sneaky-peek at the holiday card artwork... your friendly postman is probably carrying yours right now...

Starting in January we hit the GNRS in Pomona, and nailed a double-whammy, launching the Hot Rod Art Book: Masters of Chicken Scratch, which we were stoked to be a part of... Not only does The Hot Rod Art Book contain over 100 pages of beautiful hot rod art from a variety of artists, but it includes tutorials from a past Hot Wheels designer, Dwayne Vance on an instructional CD that shows the complete process from sketch to rendering plus a few extras. The first printing sold out, and the second printing will be in shortly, so if you missd it, grab one when these hit!

That same weekend in January, we debuted Resilience, the '52 Buick we were honored to be a part of with owners Erik and Paul Hansen and builder Tim Strange. The radical Buick received a ton of great press, both here in the US and overseas, as well! As the year rolled by, the mighty Buick cleaned up with some great awards, even capturing the KKOA 777 Custom Crown Award as America's Top Custom...and the prestigious Elden Titus Memorial Design Award... OUTSTANDING!!

While attending the GNRS, Paul and Erik Hansen were kind enough to invite me along to the Hall of Fame Luncheon, which was a once-in-a-lifetime highlight to be certain. We have some video from this all-star gala HERE on the site... Legends like Blackie Gejeian, Mary Slonaker, Dick Bertolucci, Thom Taylor and more... Definitely worth a look.

As the year rolled by, we were chosen to be a part of many great projects, meeting some incredible builders and designers along the way... We were even chosen to pen the 2010 Street Rodder Road Tour car! (see it in this month's Street Rodder Magazine)

This year also saw the first Hot Rod Industry BMX Challenge, which we were honored to create the artwork for. Organized by Tim and Carrie Strange, it was a great event held the weekend of the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, and attended by many top builders and great folks in the industry. Look for this to continue to grow!

Add to all of this working with Denny and the crew at ProRides on their latest Drag Week monster, the "Sick Seconds" Camaro, which debuted in raw form at the PRI show... Look for this terror to swallow 1320 feet and thousands of miles in the coming year!

While staying thankfully busy, I took on some added responsibility, accepting the role as V.P. at Motorburg, Inc., a position offered to me by one of the founders and a HUGE inspiration in my work, Charlie Smith. The automotive art and design community has some incredible history, and I was brought on to build the community. Starting with a new website, revamped forums and a social network, things are REALLY starting to happen there, with some incredibly talented folks posting articles, tutorials, and just generally sharing tricks, tips and advice on everything from drawing to running a studio. Check it out!

Things just kept picking up, with the Hot Rod Art Book show at GINAC Gallery in Santa Ana, and more drawing and designing...

We began wrapping the year up with the Goodguys Southwest Nationals in Scottsdale, and were once again shown incredible hospitality from Scott and the crew at Billet Specialties... thanks again, guys!!

Speaking of Billet Specialties, dig on the new tees we designed for them to celebrate their 25th year, as well as some great wheels and accessories!

Rounding out the year, the wife and I continued a tradition we began some years back, and instead of exchanging gifts, she grabs a few "Christmas Angels" from the tree at work, and we go about giving a few kids a Christmas to remember... The kids get involved, and it's a great lesson in sharing and giving a hand to someone who may be a bit down. I can't say enough good about the program, and encourage you to take part as well.

And, just a reminder to give back a little if you can, especially to those who need a little cheer this season. Head on over to the Car Design Fetish store and grab a gift that not only supports a great cause, but gives back twelve times a year with some fantastic artwork! This is a great-quality and big calendar, too, at 11x17 with thick card stock and full bleed printing. Very high quality indeed, and with art from guys like Scott Robertson, yours truly, Micah Jones, Raza Bashir, Mark Weaver, Dustin Shedlarski, Wayne Manista, Charlie Smith, Dwayne Vance, Arvind Ramkrishna, and Sangyup Lee, it's a virtual "who's who" of OEM and hot rod design and artistry! Certainly a future collectible.

We're not slowing at all heading into 2010, and hope you'll stick around as it just gets crazier and crazier! Thanks again, and Happy Holidays!

Mystery Print Packs

If you're a long-time visitor to my website, or just know us, then you already know how we enjoy the hell out of saving our clients and friends some cash... simply because we love saving some ourselves! From time to time (usually a few times per month), we'll hide a deal someplace on the site... it might be a freet shirt, a sticker, something from one of our pals in the industry, a break on design work and costs... or even a coupon for the online store!

The new "Mystery Print Packs":

How cool is this: 8x10-inch prints normally sell on the site for $12.00/ea. I've decided that a fun way to get more bang for the buck (and handle some Holiday shopping, too!) would be to offer some "package" deals.

Amplifying the "fun" part works like this: You buy a "Mystery Print Pack" for $30, and you get two random 8x10 prints, PLUS a special 8x10-inch print (one not normally offered as an 8x10), AND.... how about this: Every fifth pack sold gets a signed, 19x13-inch print (it'll be a cool one) thrown in! There you have it....

You get a print for 1/2 off PLUS a shot at a limited-edition, signed print (could be a $50. bonus!)... make that a one-in-five shot!

Check it out here!

Artist Feature... and FREE WHEELS!

I have an upcoming artist feature in the relatively new Benchrace Magazine, an online publication geared toward the hot rod community, and loaded with absolutely killer feature articles each month, and I'm pretty stoked, as this is really the first online 'zine to include my work.


Weighing in at nine issues (when the new one hits, anyway), the magazine has already nailed some killer content, including stuff from guys like Jim "Jake" Jacobs, Tom Fritz, our good pal Jimmy Smith, Dan Picasso and more! Hell, it's even had the great Reverend Billy Gibbons on the pages! Good times indeed!

Suffice to say, it was cool when Robert threw the idea out there to feature my art... I'm always stoked when anyone takes notice of my stuff, and it was a good experience! As part of the fun, I was asked to offer up a print as part of his monthly prizedrawing, and I've obliged, offering up on of my signed/numbered and limited-edition pieces, the Mahi Mah-T:

Add to that (by golly, it just gets better and better, huh?) the chance to win a free set of wheels, compliments of Real Rodders Wheels, just for subscribing (it's FREE, by the way), and the icing is on the cake:

If you get a chance, check it out... I think you'll enjoy it.