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There is the annual Oreilly's Auto Extravaganza at the state convention center here coming up Jan 8-10 (I think). I have gotten information that there is going to be 6 of the country's best pinstripers throwing a panel jam to auction off the panels.
Now after all the hard work I have put in and as many times as I have mentioned a panel jam to anyone here in Little Rock I've gotten brushed aside. Not only was I not invited to this panel jam but they won't let me be a part of it... IN MY HOME TOWN!
This has me really frustrated and I was wondering if anyone here knows who might be at this panel jam and if I could get any more insider info.
[ December 16, 2009, 11:33 PM: Message edited by: Kelsey Dum ]
-------------------- Kelsey Dum Dum Designs Sherwood, AR 72120 501.765.2166 kelsey@dumdesigns.com Posts: 827 | From: Sherwood, AR | Registered: Oct 2005
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Haven't heard a thing about it. I do feel your pain though. I've run into similar situations over the years. My only advice is get used to it, it happens. I'm not saying it's right either but it does happen. What you have run into is an "elitist' crowd. They deal with "name" people and, Kelsey, you're just not a "name" yet. No big deal, I've been doing this for thirty five years and I'm not a "name" either. You'll find there are a lot of "politics" involved at certain levels too. If you really want it and keep trying , knowing your determination one day you'll get that recognition. In the mean time, try to develop a little thicker skin as you will be running into this sort of thing again on down the road. Hell, just two summers ago, I got shyt on pretty badly by some car show folks. If you get to talking to other stripers....the honest ones at least...they will tell you similar stories.
My suggestion would be to pay your admission, bring a few brushes with you, introduce yourself to the stripers that are at the show and I'd be willing to bet THEY invite you to join in.
-------------------- George Perkins Millington,TN. goatwell@bigriver.net
"I started out with nothing and still have most of it left"
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Thanks George. I don't think it's as much the stripers as the woman that works for the Little Rock CVB, Carol Dolan. This woman has asked me to work the local shows at the river to help draw in more of a crowd (car shows aren't that big here but getting bigger). I've made a few contacts but no specific money AT these shows, but when it comes to the bigger shows she acts like I don't exist. I've told her I'll pay the fees for a vendor spot, but she acts like I could never afford it or something. It is more about the politics and once I'm there at the show I'm sure the other artists will allow me to participate or at least sling some paint with them.
The "car show people" know who I am and that's not what I'm frustrated about. Most of them are on my side and have said they would mention it to her, but I tell them not to. I'm trying not to make a scene about this because your right... I'm NOT a big name yet. I will persist though and make sure they see my work one way or another.
I'll never get notice sitting on the bench.
I would like to know who is going to be there though.
-------------------- Kelsey Dum Dum Designs Sherwood, AR 72120 501.765.2166 kelsey@dumdesigns.com Posts: 827 | From: Sherwood, AR | Registered: Oct 2005
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[ December 16, 2009, 11:40 AM: Message edited by: Kelsey Dum ]
-------------------- Kelsey Dum Dum Designs Sherwood, AR 72120 501.765.2166 kelsey@dumdesigns.com Posts: 827 | From: Sherwood, AR | Registered: Oct 2005
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Von Hot Rod's Pinstripe Circus was at the L.A.Roadster Show this past Father's Day. There were 5 or 6 guys there striping stuff for sale...I don't think there was a charity auction or anything like that. I think it was an invited event like yours, but Von Hot Rod was the only one I had heard of before, and some of the work was a bit amateurish.
Mike Clines, Jim Bradley, and I have been striping for over 50 years. We have a great deal of respect for each others work and are great friends. We all welcome anyone to participate when we are at an event, for it is in the sharing that we grow awareness for our artwork, and I always learn something from the others, especially the "new" people as they bring a fresh approach to their work rather than just copy the old styles. At our events there is an understood rule to leave your ego at the door and have fun...some folks are not able to do that I guess.
We had a panel jam at the local car show here in Grass Valley in September. We have a huge mailing list out of which 9 people were able to make it and one sent a panel for the auction. The Roamin' Angels Car Club put on the event and treat us like royalty ! We are able to sell our work and stripe cars if we want. There is no cost to us, we get tickets to the Friday night Tri-Tip Barbeque, and they take us to dinner at a nice restaurant Saturday night. Sunday we do a panel jam (everyone stripes each panel) and auction those and the pieces that everyone donated. This year we were able to donate $5,315 to Big Brothers Big Sisters ! One very nice piece sold for $750.
Last January there were almost 50 stripers at the Sacramento Autorama and we were able to raise around $30,000 for charity.
It may be a little to late for this year, but perhaps if you were to present the idea of a charity auction to the organizers and invite as many stripers as possible they would be receptive to the idea. Certainly excluding people from joining in and providing more pieces for the auction does not make sense.
There are a few pinstripers who have become world famous and there are a few who are "legends in their own minds", but most of us who may be well know locally, don't allow our ego to get in the way of helping a beginner or making new friends. We have several young people in the area that are learning, and I encourage them every chance I get. There is one in particular, Dillon Proctor, that started when he was 13, practiced every day after school, is now 18 and is doing some awesome work ! Mike Clines has recently taken him under his wing, so I expect even greater things from him in the future....
Please don't be discouraged by this situation. If you can't work out something with the organizers of this event, find another venue, or create your own event. One of the local youngsters here invited a few of us over to his dad's shop on a Sunday for a panel party and barbeque.....we had a great time !
Bottom line....the only thing that really matters is that you and your customers are satisfied with the quality of your work. Becoming a "name" is not important.....
-------------------- Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain ! Jim Moser Design 13342 C Grass Valley Ave. Grass Valley, Ca. 95945 530-273-7615 jwmoser@att.net Posts: 488 | From: Grass Valley, Ca. | Registered: May 2006
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Alright, so I finally found out who's going to be there.
Brian Papa Zeke Lemanski Howie Nisgure Jeremy Seanor Matt Atomik Paul Quinn
I personally know 2 of these people and know of 3 more so I think I can get something figured out now.
Thanks guys. I'll let ya know how it goes. I've traded panels with Zeke before and can't wait to get to meet him. I think I met Papa in Atlanta one time at a meet and know of Seanor, Atomik and Quinn. I'll have to look up the other guy. I think he's out of New York, but these are good people that I know of. I'm looking forward to this one now!
... don't know if there's any point getting a vendor booth though.
-------------------- Kelsey Dum Dum Designs Sherwood, AR 72120 501.765.2166 kelsey@dumdesigns.com Posts: 827 | From: Sherwood, AR | Registered: Oct 2005
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From what I can see, I would bet they are getting paid to be there. Or at least their expenses should be getting paid. With the exception of Spider, and maybe Jeremy (dont know him) everyone lives in either PA, or New England last I knew. All very good artists.
-------------------- Harris Kohen K-Man Pinstriping and Graphix Trenton, NJ "Showing the world that even I can strategically place the pigment where its got to go." Posts: 1739 | From: Trenton, NJ, USA | Registered: Jun 2001
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I met Howie Nisgor at Gene Winfield's event a couple months ago....Great guy....you'll like him ! Zeke Lemanski too !
[ December 16, 2009, 07:32 PM: Message edited by: Jim Moser ]
-------------------- Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain ! Jim Moser Design 13342 C Grass Valley Ave. Grass Valley, Ca. 95945 530-273-7615 jwmoser@att.net Posts: 488 | From: Grass Valley, Ca. | Registered: May 2006
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Jeremy is one of my dear friends. He is only about 21 but so full of promise. He's from PA and stops in here and there. Matt Atomik is another dear friend, and of course Brian (Spidey) Both are disgustingly good. And that Quinn guy is OK. Wish I could be there but I just can't, have to miss the WOW this year too. Love....Jill
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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I wish there were more artists down here close to me so we could do this more often.
-------------------- Kelsey Dum Dum Designs Sherwood, AR 72120 501.765.2166 kelsey@dumdesigns.com Posts: 827 | From: Sherwood, AR | Registered: Oct 2005
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Howie and I grew up on Long Island within a couple towns from each other, he became an art teacher and I become a nomad. He is an excellent person and striper. Both of us were in an arms reach from H&H auto body where and when Andy Southard was proprietor and we were starting out.
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
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I don't know who's doing the organizing, maybe it's a space issue. But I don't see any elitists in that group. I've painted alongside all of them and they are good people. If there's a nicer guy than Howie on this planet I've yet to see him. Don't feel outed or take it personally, seems the organizer just had a plan and are sticking to it. Definitely go and just hang with them for a while.
Jill, Jeremy had promise a couple years ago... now he's just f'n good
-------------------- Compulsive, Neurotic, Anti-social and Paranoid ... but basically Happy Posts: 2677 | From: Rochester, NY, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Kelsey, We've met and , IMHO, you're a sponge when it comes to learning how to do this work. Go there, meet some of these guys and even if you just watch them work it'll be worth the trip.
I waltzed in on the WOW show in Atlanta a few years ago hoping to meet Tramp Warner, but he couldn't make it. I didn't know any of the stripers there, but after a chat with Matt and Kevin from One Shot, I was invited to join the fun. Made a lot of new friends like Jamie and Goucho, helped raised money for kids charities and had some great laughs all weekend.
Tell Howie and Spider I said hi. Rapid
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
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Kelsey, I feel for you, bud.... you've got more drive and desire than almost anyone I know. If you keep progressing at the rate you have been, it won't be long and these show organizers will be calling you, asking you to come and you can say "Well, let me see if it fits into my schedule, I'll get back to you on that...." and you can make THEM sweat a little....
I will say this, your little typo in the heading says "pamel" jam and I read that as "camel" to begin with. I was like... man, why is he disappointed he was left outa THAT activity.... I mean, I have no desire to jam a camel... but then I was like... oh... wait.... "PANEL"..
-------------------- Jon Jantz Snappysign.com jjantz21@gmail.com http://www.allcw.com Posts: 3395 | From: Atmore, AL | Registered: Nov 2005
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Thanks for the correction, Jon. I didn't notice I did that.
-------------------- Kelsey Dum Dum Designs Sherwood, AR 72120 501.765.2166 kelsey@dumdesigns.com Posts: 827 | From: Sherwood, AR | Registered: Oct 2005
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-------------------- Jack Wills Studio Design Works 1465 E.Hidalgo Circle Nye Beach / Newport, OR Posts: 2914 | From: Rocklin, CA. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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I know all but Jeremy. You couldn't ask for a better group of guys to hang out and paint with and learn from if given the opportunity. At least four of them will be here in April.
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You may have more stripers around than you think. I'm in El Dorado and have been known to stripe an 18 wheeler now and then. Stop in if you are down this way.
As far as the Little Rock show is concerned, it may be that the organizer is like some of the local "powers-that-be" here. They think anyone local is not capable and they have to go out of town for any "real talent". if you get my drift. I wouldn't worry about it too much, it's their loss. I'm still here plugging away after 40years. Good luck, come when you can.
-------------------- Frisby Signs, Inc. El Dorado, Arkansas Posts: 902 | From: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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Roy, don't I know you? Your name sounds really familiar. I may have contacted you when I lived in Dallas.
-------------------- Kelsey Dum Dum Designs Sherwood, AR 72120 501.765.2166 kelsey@dumdesigns.com Posts: 827 | From: Sherwood, AR | Registered: Oct 2005
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I talked to Zeke today and it seems as though Paul Quinn is putting this together. They are all paying their own bills on flights and what not and not all are doing the whole tour. I feel honored to have them in my home town and Zeke said I can hang out with them. I hope they will let me show them My town a little bit. I'm looking forward to this and if anyone wants to pop in I can make some room at my house...501.765.2166 (Kelsey).
I only hope I can prove myself to my home town people that I am almost as good or as good as these people and that there IS local talent. I mean it too.. if anyone want to come into town for this it would be awesome and we'll have a blast... despite the political aspect of it.
-------------------- Kelsey Dum Dum Designs Sherwood, AR 72120 501.765.2166 kelsey@dumdesigns.com Posts: 827 | From: Sherwood, AR | Registered: Oct 2005
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It's a real shame, Kelsey, that politics has to enter into so many things, even neat stuff like this. Hopefully, it will turn out to be more of a 'time' or 'space' thing.
It's great you got to speak to Zeke, and can go be a part of 'something'. I don't know any of these guys personally, but am a big fan of the work of most of them. I hope it turns out to be a great show, one that you get to be a part of, and you have a great and lasting experience.
I'd like to see some more striping get-togethers in this mid-south-whatever area. There might just be more talent around here than any of us know about.
-------------------- Dale Feicke Grafix 714 East St. Mendenhall, MS 39114
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Posts: 2963 | From: Mendenhall, MS | Registered: Apr 1999
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Okay....... Where do I begin. I love everyone who showed up. Matt Atomik was the only one who didn't show up. I introduced myself and right off the bat Zeke was super cool and started telling me all about the new paint they are using and showing me tips and tricks the whole time. Howie, I can't say enough good about this guy. He took me in a bit and talked with me and showed me a few things... I LOVE his work. I met Papa in Atlanta and he was just as quite and nice as he was then. Jeremy didn't talk much so I don't know about him. Paul was really nice and I really respect his work, but he kinda came off as a car salesman trying to sell me on everything he was using. There really wasn't anything going on at the show... it was pretty dead and I couldn't talk a single one of them into coming over to my truck and laying some lines with me since I wasn't ALLOWED to stripe with them ( I guess so it didn't look as though I was associated with them). Not only did I have to sit through 2 panel jams and NOT participate, but when I did get some work the organizer went to my client (without my knowledge) and told him I wasn't allowed to stripe anything there. The customer had to come to me and tell me this. This not only angered me but angered my customer ( a local guy with a really high dollar 1933 Ford coupe). The customer said he would definitely NOT be coming back next year and was almost shaking he was so frustrated with this. The local news covered a segment Friday morning on the pinstripers and how they pinstripe but no mention of the fact that there are local stripers. Zeke was nice enough to send a biker over to me that was needing a striper to work a show coming up. Also, I had another guy who was wanting some work done on his s-10 dragster (he was going to come to me after the show) because he said the other stripers were way too expensive. Then he said Mickey ( the coordinator of the show) was going to make a deal with them. So I come in Sunday morning to see the dragster sitting in front of their booth and I can only guess they are just doing it for free or really cheap to get some attention over to their booth. I'm not saying they wanted to do this because it was the last day and it was almost time to leave. I'm sure they were tired that third day but were being nice to the coordinator because that's how us artists usually are.
My locals know me and know my work. I'm not concerned about losing business. I'm just really frustrated with the politics behind all of this.
I know this is no fault of the stripers (except maybe Paul who set up this whole deal), but I am so frustrated that I was made out to be nothing in my home town at a show I have been working the past three years, and that Paul didn't do the research or feel the need to consider the fact that other stripers may be working these shows.
I really don't know how to feel about all of this. I really try to have no hate towards my fellow stripers, but what do I do? Chalk it up as a loss and don't go next year?
Maybe some day I can convince a few of you to come down and we'll throw a REAL panel jam here with REAL hot rodders, and cool people who are not tethered by the politics of business and $$$$$.
Just thought I would give an update and see how some of you would respond to this. As usual I held my tongue and did not say a word about any of this. If you know me though, I will push through and keep my head held high because I know there ARE people who recognize my accomplishments and I won't tarnish that with a bad show experience.
Damn, I think this was the longest post I have ever made!
[ January 11, 2010, 09:31 AM: Message edited by: Kelsey Dum ]
-------------------- Kelsey Dum Dum Designs Sherwood, AR 72120 501.765.2166 kelsey@dumdesigns.com Posts: 827 | From: Sherwood, AR | Registered: Oct 2005
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"As usual I held my tongue and did not say a word about any of this."
I waited to come here on a public forum and express my opinions. If I (Magoo) were one of "those", I'd be highly insulted that you didn't have the go-nads to say to my face what you've just said here...take it for what it's worth young man...seems you have more than pinstriping lessons to learn...
I'm not picking on you, hell, I don't even know you, know OF you, but not you personally, I'm just stating the obvious...
If I were you, I'd pay more attention to how good you really are and prove it...sure it takes time, but good things have a habit of requiring that, other responses are negative in nature and take up good daylight that could have been used for something positive...
-------------------- Frank Magoo, Magoo's-Las Vegas; fmagoo@netzero.com "the only easy day was yesterday" Posts: 2365 | From: Las Vegas, Nv. | Registered: Jun 2003
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I don't know if you read my whole post but I don't think I ever insulted the pinstripers (or never meant to). I'm just stating the facts and that this is the first time in 6 or 7 years I've been into this that I have had something like this happen at a show. I didn't say anything to Paul's face because I didn't think it was Paul's fault. I did however talk to the organizers and they got an ear full (by more than just me).
I don't understand, Magoo? Your saying I don't have the right to feel insulted myself? I'm just trying to feed my family and progress in a craft that I love so much.
I had people coming up to me that heard what happened and were bad mouthing the other stripers... I would then defend them saying it's not their fault. THEY could have been looked at badly but I defended them.
The organizers were in the wrong on this... NOT THE PINSTRIPERS!
I could give a **** less if I become a big name, but I do believe in equal opportunity.
If someone goes to my client and tells them I'm not allowed to stripe (with out my knowledge) that's the same as telling the client I'm not qualified to stripe and IS an insult to me and my client's judgment.
[ January 11, 2010, 08:16 AM: Message edited by: Kelsey Dum ]
-------------------- Kelsey Dum Dum Designs Sherwood, AR 72120 501.765.2166 kelsey@dumdesigns.com Posts: 827 | From: Sherwood, AR | Registered: Oct 2005
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-------------------- Frank Magoo, Magoo's-Las Vegas; fmagoo@netzero.com "the only easy day was yesterday" Posts: 2365 | From: Las Vegas, Nv. | Registered: Jun 2003
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I sent a reasonable but very expressive letter to the event coordinator in hopes that next time we can all just work together to create an awesome event. That's all I want.
-------------------- Kelsey Dum Dum Designs Sherwood, AR 72120 501.765.2166 kelsey@dumdesigns.com Posts: 827 | From: Sherwood, AR | Registered: Oct 2005
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Frank is right...(Howdy Frank!)...he has been to enough of these dog and ponies to know...
You have a show organizer that wants to put a show together...limited resources...(since the stripers paid their own way)...He is trying to attract some good talent to offer the striping...HE HAS TO COMMIT TO EXCLUSIVITY! I would be upset if I laid out the money to go and was unable to recover my costs of going, especially when it is far from home. I think you would be too!...and then to be moved in on by some unknown snot nose that thinks he is gonna stripe next to me (and possibly take business away... The organizer has to protect his commitment to those stripers...and it sounds like the stripers were super nice to allow without getting nasty.
I hope I characterized it correctly...
so what is the next step...get to Fred's...several show stripers go...then on to Bob's in September, some darn good ones there and also well known...Word spreads and your in...but it takes a little time....impress Bob Bond and you have a magazine spread....
Hang in there and keep thinking outside of the box...those show stripers eventually have enough repeats to stop doing shows and throw the torch to new ones like you...
-------------------- Robert Beverly Arlington, Texas Posts: 1023 | From: Arlington, Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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Thanks for the words of wisdom, Robert. I totally respect Frank and he knows that even though we butt heads at times. I'll do my best to come to Fred's and Bob's this year, especially if your going to be there. We always had too much work and not enough time to have real fun (although we still had fun).
-------------------- Kelsey Dum Dum Designs Sherwood, AR 72120 501.765.2166 kelsey@dumdesigns.com Posts: 827 | From: Sherwood, AR | Registered: Oct 2005
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Joey, I would really love to see a movie about you and Joey growing up in Long Island and how your love of art developed. I always had a passion for the East Coast artist folklore and culture. Hey now why aren't you writing a book? Long Island, South Florida, Thailand, Oregon, and Your Life.
that would be fantastic.
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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I think the book would spontaneously combust when completed... hehehe.JK
-------------------- Kelsey Dum Dum Designs Sherwood, AR 72120 501.765.2166 kelsey@dumdesigns.com Posts: 827 | From: Sherwood, AR | Registered: Oct 2005
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