Hi, sam here from Airbrush Perfections. I get asked on every course how I came to be doing this and how it all started. I know I am incredibly lucky to be in this position but theres been a lot of hard work behind the scenes and its taken a while but it all started way back when I was a nipper.....according to my mum I was 5!!

My mum being the avid art fan and a wonderful artist in her own right in oils and acrylics, placed me as a small boy in front of a painting called "The Oath of Horatii" by J.L DAVID, (French artist). This all took place in The Louvre Museum In Paris, and I was told to study the lower left foot of the father figure!! This foot was apparently painted 11 times in all, according to my mum, and the passion within the painting was clear to see. It started what was to become a love of the History of Art for me. I had a real talent for artwork and won every prize/award at every school I went to in Art. I did my "O" levels, did well and got the magical A in art. Up until then I was born and brought up in West Germany (as was) as my father was an Army Officer.

Went over to Bedstone College in Shropshire for my "A" levels in 1987 and loved it. Did Art and History of Art, nailed em both and won the college Art Prize. The prize turned out to be a selection of art books of my choice, so I had 3 books by the legendary BORIS VALLEJO. For those in the know and for those who don't know him, he was one of the most influential Fantasy artists ever...and is still going strong. He along with Frazetta, HR Giger and Royo along with others were the main influences on my style of artwork. These and the renaissance period in art history.  I finished college and went to Leamington Spa near my relatives and did my Foundation Course in Art & Design. Then I went onto Nene College (part of Leicester Uni) for a degree in Art & Music. It was here that I discovered the airbrush..1990-91. WOW.....it totally blew me away....a revelation to say the least.  It suited my style and allowed me to express my artwork far more than before.

 Couple of years later I was trying to make it as a musician, teaching privately on the side of a couple of "normal" jobs. The artwork seemed to slow right up so I concentrated on my guitar, often practicing 6/7 hours a day. Then in around 1995 i started watching superbikes on tv as i had several myself. I noticed all the riders had individually painted lids.....assuming they had been airbrushed i thought I'd have a go. This rekindled my love of airbrushing again and although I hadn't lost the knowledge, I had lost some time. Not too many people were doing it then so I made an effort and did a few for my friends and me. This soon developed into 8/9/10 then more and more. I did it as a hobby for fun for several years in a 6 x 4ft wooden shed, picking up commissions here and there from work and friends of friends etc. I made all the mistakes in the world and learned the craft....and it is a craft!!

Then in 2003 a then friend Ken Foley got himself the new position as Team Manager for a local Supersport race team. They had Stuart Easton & Martin Jessopp as their riders. They needed some lids doing and ken gave me the job after I did his Shoei. Within 12 months it was mental!!! I had enquiries and jobs on lids coming out my ears. We were swamped and alongside a normal job I had to juggle these race lids. I had to make a decision.....30K a year job?? or Airbrush and see what happens?? One of the best decisions i ever made......!!!!

Now we work in a purpose built art studio, knocking out designs for riders in World Downhill through to MotoGP and all the series in between. But we don't just do lids these days.....its pretty much anything.....specialising in Harley/cruisers/large custom bikes. .....and lovin it!! Music full blast creating artwork all day!!!! what could be better.

So here we are on the family farm, 10 minutes from the NEC. My fantastically gorgeous partner Nicola runnin the show while I knock out the artwork and teach. Its like the Darling Buds of May here....pop larkin (dad)..loads of fields.....pigs/lambs/geese/miniature shetlands/dogs/cats and trout!! But best of all we have our  horses....."Buster."...my 17hh Belgium Warmblood Chestnut......we call him "boosey belly buster" cause he's a greedy sod. He's a hansom chap but an arsey old fart at times. Not malicious...just arsey!!!  "Indeed" is a thoroughbred ex race horse, and for those of you who are into racing hes from Nick Giffords yard!! 17hh, very kind chap and great with the kids. A Liver chestnut. couldn't be happier really!!! Thanks Mum!!

Finally we have 3 Beautiful kids:

 Dan 14yrs, into all sports, games and girls.....and more girls.!!!

Molly 9 years into fashion, art, loves life and organises us all.

& Ethan, 8 years, into motorbikes, music and keeps us on our toes.

"whats the point of having a dream if you're not going to make it happen!!!"