So where would you relocate to as a custom automotive painter and airbrush artist?
If you were doing the type of work that has been my specialty in the custom paint field for most of my adult life and you could go anywhere in the USA and start from scratch with the intention of trying to really make a good go of it in that field...where would you move to?
Keeping in mind the necessary local market, prosperous economy for the potential clientel, and existing competition, would all be important factors.
I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on this...
Bevin
Posted by Dana Bowers (Member # 780) on :
Wherever you go, make sure you swing by here on your way to pick up the panel I did for you... and to sleep with a cat or two!!
Posted by Robert Thomas (Member # 1356) on :
Southern California is my first thought. A lot of talent & demand there. But anywhere there is a big market. With your talent & abilities you should do well in any major market.
Cheers
Posted by Pam Eddy (Member # 1858) on :
Anywhere warm.
With your talent, customers will come find you.
Pam
Posted by James Donahue (Member # 3624) on :
I don't know where to suggest, but wherever you go, you'll make the local competition nervous!
REALLY NICE work.
Is most of your work ideas that customers provide, or do you ever express themes you're passionate about? If so what are those themes?
Sorry to take this thread off in another direction, but it's hard to resist.
My wife Stephanie just said maybe a tourist area, someplace they have alot of rod runs. They have alot of them here, but a local merchant said that crowd has all their money tied up in their rods, and they don't spend much on merchandise. Hmmm, maybe just one persons opinion. You'd also have to deal with the local economy, in off seasons. The local economy is, well, Appalachia.
I would hate to move from here, but I'm not here for the economy.
I have some techical questions, but maybe later, or a different thread.
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
Nu Joisey
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
was watching speed channel and it was 2 wheel tuesday. had some shop in cali that cranks out some of the hottest lookin graphics and paint on bikes. had the main painter on there....it was on at 7-8 pm on speed. see if you can catch it.
Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
Anywhere warm with a room for Barb and Steve would be just fine! Posted by Rick Chavez (Member # 2146) on :
So Cal has some great opportunities....at least one car show a week and quite a few shops, there is an automotive specific yellow pages...I'll try to remember to look...but you might call around and see
Posted by Jimmy Hill (Member # 4413) on :
Well that's an interesting question.
First I would say it would have to be some place where I really feel I could do my best work which for me would be where ever the weather is sunny and warm all year long.
After living in the north for years and dealing with all the snow and sub zero temperatures I would never do that again.
With the type of work you are doing people will find you no matter where you are located.
I would pick a place where you can do your best work and not have to worry about all the other stuff in life we have to deal with everyday.
The other thing is I love working from my home and not having to drive to work so for me having a 5,000 sf building within walking distance is the way to go and it really helps keep the overhead down.
When you are located in a downtown area there are just to many people stopping by to talk.
I find being away from all that gives you more time to do what you do best.
Just my opinion but it works for me.
Jimbo
West Coast of Florida is nice all year around and there are cruze night car shows every night of the week if you want to go.
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Fresno Califrnia or San Diego
Posted by Mark Smith (Member # 298) on :
Here's an odd one: Cherokee, NC - I've seen some great airbrush work there, and it's a leather paradise.
Posted by PKing (Member # 337) on :
Go where the money is! There will be no competion,IF you are the competion.
hope this helps
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
. . . .anywhere you want to my talented friend, any where you want to. Posted by FranCisco Vargas (Member # 145) on :
Rick Sacks, I'm smilin as I read your reply, Yeah Fresno is growing like crazy! But if I could paint like Bevin I would most likely go for Hollywood, L.A. or most of southern California, that's where the money is, but then again it isn't cheap to live there. Even Fresno prices are going up big time. I was very lucky to find my little broke down house back in the late 80's. I do ok. Bevin, if your out in California, give me a call. I'll try and set you up with some body shops that want your work. Take a traveling tour on a working vacation, you'll see where you would like to live...
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
It depend if your single or not. Most of the Baby Boomers are retiring to Arizona or Florida. Most of them have money to spend on their toys too. So I'd say, "Go to where the sun shines most of the time.".Or if you're really a wild and crazy guy, you could try to make it rich in an other county. Say like, maybe Japan or even China.
Posted by Pierre Tardif (Member # 3229) on :
Definitely not Quebec. Your market is under the sun and warm weather all year round!!
Geez! Where is this world going to?? Is'nt it weird that such talented people still needs to run after the works!! Should be the opposite!
There is only one Bevin Finlay on this planet and tons of bikes, hot rods, etc... to be painted...I simply don't understand! why? why? why?
Good luck to the most skillfull guy with an airbrush and let us know your plan!!
Posted by jack wills (Member # 521) on :
AUSTIN, TEXAS...
It's a hip spot and you can reach out from there to other places of warm temps. They gots bread.
CrazyJack
Posted by Randy Campbell (Member # 2675) on :
Bevin I'm with Sheila-any where you want but have you ever thought of teaching.
Posted by Bevin Finlay (Member # 2159) on :
Really appreciate the responses so far as I am very curious to see if there ends up being a trend in peoples input to my question. The US has always been in the back of my mind as perhaps being a more lucrative location to try and relocate to, should I end up getting back into the custom work on a full time scale again after having been away from it for the past couple of years. I realize that for a Canadian, trying to work in the US can present a real hoop to get over, but that can be a topic for a future post.
I appreciate your comments and compliments on my abilities. Thank you!
To answer a couple of questions:
James;
Many of the themes I put together are from customer ideas as to what they would like, but I prefer to work for the people who give me free rein to do what I think will work the best. I enjoy fantasy illustration the most, especially if I get to incorporate human figures into the piece. I also really like wildlife renderings and being able to superimpose different images together. Feel free to ask me your technical questions anytime.
Steve & Barb;
There will always be a room( of some sort) for you folks. You taught me alot my friend!
Randy;
Yes, I have thought quite a few times about teaching, but really don't know where to start. Not on a serious income level anyway.
Posted by Jon Harl (Member # 4427) on :
San Diego or Orange County California
Posted by Chuck Churchill (Member # 68) on :
Bevin...The green card hurdle would likely be a big one if you want to go to the Southern half of North America. You need a company that would sponser you and send their lawyers in to get you status. You could try going to the US and work under the table as a illegial immigrant but I fear you would get caught as your skills and reputation became known.
I would suggest you look to Vancouver. It has all the things the other posts mention without the work permit problem. Beautiful area, warm (compared to anywhere else in Canada), a strong economy and laid back people. There is strong outdoors, woodsy, natural resources feel to the area. It also has a strong film/TV programing industry. Your talents might be very appreciated by some of the companies filming in B.C.
Posted by Brian Hansen (Member # 2946) on :
Hi Bevin I've seen your work in Quebec at FKAB and it's outstanding..you should be busy at your work and making good money..but to do this you should promote yourself...car shows,motorcycle rallys,bike shops,then try to get pictures of your work in magazines,web site, I know it's not all that easy, but I find myself at rallys all across the maritimes every year pinstriping and doing murals then my contacts are made and they come to you!!! but am the same way ..California sounds good to me too.. EH!!!have you ever loaded you compressor and airbrush and went to an RV park and start asking around if anyone wanted a mural done, try this some day ..what have you got to loose , start the first one by giving them a good deal, once neighbors sees you doing this..your busy ....try it!
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