Tig and Turkey

The end of November is already upon us. How did that happen so quickly?

Thanksgiving brings sunny Florida a few chilly days when the occasional cold front pushes through. Being the Sunshine State those "chilly" days are in the low 60's with brisk nights in the high 40's. That's one of the reasons I don't miss Ohio this time of year!

Normally I like to take advantage of the long holiday week by heading up to Stuart to enjoy some of the incredible pompano fishing that heats up this time of year. If I can't find any pompano I know I can always shoot outside and have some fun with the spanish mackeral. It's a sure thing and is always fun.

This year things will be different. I'll be working.

With Cavallino looming even closer I'll be foregoing the turkey and fishing for some much needed extra time on my artwork. I still have a lot to do if I want to finish in time and I need every minute I can get. Too bad I have to sleep or I'd be done.

Things are progressing nicely but I'm at the stage where every little detail is tedious and time consuming. I need to be ready for paint (for lack of a better term) by December 1st to remain on schedule. That means this week will be spent fabricating every chance I get. How long does it take a Sync 200 to tig cook a 15 pound turkey?

Take a look at the second teaser image above and you'll get a glimpse of where I'm going. I can't show my hand until the event but it's made of aluminum. Lots of aluminum! Keep checking in for my weekly update and you'll see more each time. Until then...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Don't Call It a Comeback!

In case you haven't noticed, the Hot Shoe home page has been heralding January 22, 2009 as my triumphant return into the world of automotive art.

Well, at least I hope it will be triumphant despite the current economic environment of which I have the misfortune to relaunch the pursuit of my life-long dream. A successful art career is a long shot in the best of financial climates. Recession not withstanding, I'm maintaining an optimistic attitude. With only 65 days to go I won't have to wait long.

I have always loved creating automotive themed artwork. Having been through the transportation design program at the Cleveland Institute of Art, it was a natural progression to draw and paint the subject matter I so dearly loved.

Design is an exciting and ever challenging career but its real world demands and parameters limit you creatively to be less "artistic" in your approach. Automotive art lets you take this skill and add your own interpretation as an artist, there are zero rules. Dig a little deeper and you'll find that most of the industry's top designers also moonlight as automotive artists. I suppose it's cathartic.

The point being, it's something I truly love to do. When I was a bit younger I tried to make a full time career out of it but foolishly let it fall by the wayside in the quest for the more traditional "steady paycheck" approach. I'll divulge more details of the course of events that led me to this crossroads in the About section in the upcoming days. It's a long, long story.

Suffice it to say here and now that I'm back! As ridiculous as it sounds I've got that LL Cool J tune earworming in my head. Hence today's title.

This time I'm bringing out the big gun. You'll have to wait for the Cavallino Classic in January of 2009 for the official debut. I'm not going to show anything more than the vague teaser image above but I promise you it will be like nothing you've ever seen before. It has been the most demanding, intense piece of artwork I've ever created. I think everyone who has seen the piece since its inception thinks I'm insane for even attempting it. Hell, even I think I'm crazy!

It's been a nonstop roller coaster ride since I began one year ago. At my current pace I will have just over 1,000 hours of total time invested. The scariest thing is the amount of work still remaining. I will barely finish in time for the event. There are going to be a lot of late nights in the next 65 days! Against all odds it must be finished in time or my dream will end before it has even had a chance to begin.  It's do or die.

I'll shed a little insight and additional images each week until the final unveiling. Be sure to check here weekly from now until Cavallino for more updates.

Mama said knock you out!