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The history of Kip's ink.
1968 - I was brainwashed into a Gear Headed Finko at an early age. Everything back then had “Big and Little” wheels and rubber on it. From the plastic car models that lined my bedroom shelves, to the OddRod trading card/stickers plastered all over my headboard (sorry Mom). There were Stingray and Western Flyer bicycles in the front yard and the neighbors' mag wheeled, ‘67 Camaro parked next door. There was no escaping it! Big and Littles everywhere!
1976 - Airbrushed murals and Stars & Stripe paint jobs were on anything and everything with wheels. Vans, Choppers, Street Machines- even Evel Knievel’s bikes. And the forever cool Smokey and the Bandit’s reefer trailer! Full on Art Shows were on display in every parking lot and driveway. Gear Head sensory overload!!! (I loved it.)
1981 - The year I turned “16” (oh yea) Got my ‘57 Chevy on the road that same year too! Dad and I bought it in 1979 for a project for me, to keep me out of trouble. It did, until I got it on the road - impounded the first week!
1985 - While in college, I learned to draw with technical pens, (Repidographs). They worked great- when they worked. I drew up my now famous “American Truckdriver” calendars. Doing the calendars set a tone for my style of art from then on....Black Ink on White Paper.
1987 - The first time I had some of my T-shirt art actually printed on real T-shirts! It felt really cool to see someone wearing my art work around! I really dig doing T-shirt art when White T’s are the thing. Once the world shifted to Black shirts, it took some of the fun out of it for me. Motor Oil and Food Stains don’t stand out very well on Black T’s.
1993 - Got a piece of my art printed in “Street Rodder” magazine. (aug. 1993) Huge event for a Gear Headed Finko!!
1997 - Opened up a “Biker Art” gallery in Jerome, Arizona. I tried my hand at selling other people’s art, but soon learned to just stick with what I created instead. I also met my lovely wife in Jerome a year later – still feels like it was just yesterday! (early Alzheimers?)
2003 -Gave up working as a Heavy Duty Diesel Mechanic for a life as an Independent Business Owner. (gave up financial stability in the same stroke) I then had time to dive headfirst into my art and other Gear Headed adventures. (still humble, but happy)
2005 - Built some cool choppers, frames and rollers. Even got my name and a friend’s mentioned in “The Horse” chopper magazine (sept. 2005) Another big Gear Head moment!
2012 - Moved back to the cool high country of Eastern Az and started building up my collection of Model T & A parts. No finished Hot Rod yet- but built a cool coupe! (out of a pick-up)
2016 - With a renewed lease on life, I started gathering and swapping hot rod projects - acquiring my first Boat. Now I have a marina in my back yard.
2020 - The year I found myself getting back to my Roots, and hanging a shingle on the door with the title "Author / Illustrator". And going crazy with Pen & Ink in hand - and loving every minute of it!!!
"so yeah, I've been preoccupied with big and littles, since age 3..."-KH
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