HOG Column #2: Custom Motorcycle Artwork, Custom Murals, etc.

Thundering Artwork
Ask Letterfly column #2

Part of the exciteme nt of the large motorcycle gatherings is seeing the machines gathered en masse. Row upon row are free to inspect and the especially sharp ones have a crowd of appreciators jockeying in for a closer look.

Upon inspection you find intricate details are what draw you in. Fine pinline designs, meticulous pictorial renderings and a flawless finish over the completed artwork clearly qualifies this as a candidate for a championship show bike.

But what about the biker that uses his bike to ride, he doesn’t want to tie up his scoot waiting for the fussy custom paint procedure to finally be complete. He wants decorative paint now. In an effort to provide a forum for you to become familiar with many aspects of the custom paint field in this magazine, the artist Letterfly will provide answers to the questions he receives while attending bike events across the country and you are welcome to submit questions for Letterfly to answer, just send them to AskLetterfly.com

What are the limitations as to how our custom motorcycle artwork can be designed?

Your imagination! Although you will see hundreds of examples in countless motorcycle magazines and the photo albums of biker artists, no two murals are exactly alike. Each one is custom designed and created to the desires and specifications of the bike owner..

What if we really don’t know what we want our paintwork to depict?

You are a member of a very large club! Most bikers who decide to enter into this exciting new world of motorcycle art have little, or no idea at first of what they want their artwork to look like. Artists with experience as professionals with hundreds of murals to their credit, have garnered the expertise to draw out those hidden interests, faded memories, long lasting loves, cherished dreams or whimsical fantasies. Most people are pleasantly surprised to find that the dreams they thought were impossible, come to life right before their eyes.

How will we know what our painted design will look like?

Usually murals are sketched out by the artist and must meet with your approval before any work is started. Minor changes can be made to the mural, (extensive changes may effect pricing) before the process begins.

Can a mural be created from a favorite photograph?

Yes. In fact, most murals are created from pictures that owners carry in their wallet, purse or glove compartment. Many murals are created using a marriage of several photos to depict a specific background combined with other elements, which in turn enhances the mural's main feature. Letterfly uses a reference file of thousands of photos in a myriad of different categories to help compose your custom mural as well as to maintain authenticity and color values. As we said, your imagination is the only limit to a one of a kind personalized mural. Within good taste of course.

If we decide to have custom paint created how do we know that it will be good quality?

If you have been to any area Bike Nights you have probably seen at least one handpainted design. Use an artist that has an established reputation. Then, that question answers itself. If you have not witnessed a mural being created at one of your local Bike Nights, please take a moment to look at the photographs of Letterfly artwork on the website; Letterfly.com In as much as pictures speak for themselves there is no doubt about how the artistic quality a mural adds to the motorcycle experience.

Will our mural have a cookie cutter look to it or will it be handpainted?

Murals that are hand-created for the customer using either a difficult but rewarding pinstriping, wet blended or airbrush technique have a personality that is much different than the perfectly cut and sterile vinyl images that are the domain of the computer.

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Dave "Letterfly" Knoderer is a nationally-known artist who specializes in the many facets of motorcycle custom paint and decor including airbrush murals, pinstripe design, and more. During much of the year, he can be found at his home base near Tampa, Florida, where he is Artist-in-Residence at the largest RV dealership in the world, or in his art studio where he is available to work on your projects. During the rest of the year, he travels to customer locations and HOG events around the country. For more information about the artist known as Letterfly, please visit his web page, www.Letterfly.com. If you have a question that you would like to see answered in a future "Ask Letterfly" column, please e-mail it to Dave.

These Ask Letterfly columns were created for Harley-Davidson dealers and HOG chapter members who need material to include in their HOG newsletters. Editors who would like to enlighten and educate their readership are encouraged to utilize this ongoing service, which is blogged at ask-letterfly.blogspot.com/. The articles are written and provided by the artist Letterfly, known for high quality custom paint, airbrushed murals and motorcycle pinstriping in the Tampa area and throughout the country. This column is a forum to provide answers to the many paint related questions that Dave hears while attending and painting at Bike rallies across the country and which he receives by e-mail.

Motorcycle aficionados, custom painters or anyone with a paint related question can Ask Letterfly by clicking the COMMENTS link below this message or just click here.

Let me hear from you.
Ask your paint related questions:
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Dave "Letterfly" Knoderer
Tampa, Florida, USA

HOG Newsletter Editors: If you would like to include this item in your HOG member newsletter, please do. Be sure to mail me a copy of that newsletter. Not only do I enjoy seeing myself in print, I love reading HOG news from all over the country.

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