Graphic artist just starting out....

[guest01]

I've been in the paint business a few years. This weekend I did a flame job for a bike shop here in Daytona! It was the most fun and satisfying thing I've ever done that payed me money! haha...I have always been an artist since I was like 5 years old but never did any thing professionlly till now!

I am extremely confident that with some experiance and few jobs under my belt, that I could make a living doing this.

Does any one have any suggestions how I can get started! The bike shop I did the flame job for is trying to help but at best I'll have to work on used bikes that need repaints cause they can't sell them the way they are! And thats just not going to be enough. Also, I am limited as to what i can do with so little experiance! So how do I get around that? I do paint repair for car dealerships and would love to get out of that line of work. Fortunately I have all the equipment I need so thats not a problem.

So how would I get started. Im probably going to get the fenders and a tank on e-bay to start with so I can begin builing my portfolio, and have something to show customers! Any ideas or suggestions would be a great help, thanks in advance,

Clausen.

 

[ezrider]

don't quit your day job yet. it takes a while to get established in this occupation. buy a couple sets of bike tin and and experiment. try not to personalize the paint too much, what you like might not be what everyone else likes. pick up a couple of bike rags and see what the trends are now, but don't copy be original and you will find your own style of painting. good luck

 

[rex]

Know what you mean.I'm wanting to get into painting bikes myself because I'm tired of paint and body after 19 years of it.Get some work out there and do the initial stuff for a 'good' price.It takes a while to get your name around.It's killing me because I'm in car work,so alot think we don't understand the biker requirements(most are VERY picky),and I can only paint occasionally since my shop doesn't allow combo work.The thing that pisses me off is I am a biker,and I am picky to the point of being anal.If I put my name on it,it needs to be show quality.I'll do an everyday rider and save the customer $ by cutting corners at their request(like not stripping it),but I make it clear that that's the agreement and it's clearly stated in my warranty.The finished product must meet my scrutiny,but I assume no liability or blame from my work down to metal.Hang in there if you're serious.I'll have to look you up at Biketoberfest and we can shoot the bull and throw a few down.

 

[guest01]

Yeah, quiting my present business is not an option, I have too much invested in my trailor and equipment. Besides I make a good living at it. I have an on-site repair business I work for car dealers.
I know its gonna take time, thats a given, and you helped clarify that for me.

As far as being serious, hell yeah I have never been more serious! Definately look me up this October Rex, hopefully I'll have a few pieces done by then. Like I said, I have a really good relationship with this one bike shop so thats a start and I guess I just can't rush it!

You guys are great for taking time to read these boards and answer questions! Thanks a bunch for your input!