This lavishly illustrated book showcases more than fifty of the top international motorcycle artists, studios, custom builders –builders, and bike shops. As the first comprehensive survey of best custom bike-painting from around the world the world, it captures the original thinking and stunning creativity that have come to characterize this genre, and finally gives motorcycle artists the recognition they have long deserved.

Custom bike-building has become a hot media topic in recent years, and painting is seen as ever more important part of the process. As legendary bike-builder Indian Larry put it, “the bike is a sculpture combined with painting.” All the artists included in this book reveal a common purpose: they insist that each painting be original and unique, and they strive to convey the personality of the rider-customer.

Painting on saddlebags, tanks, and fenders-as opposed to the regular surfaces of canvas and paper-presents exciting challenges. As Extreme Motorcycle Art shows, motorcycle painters are responding convincingly.

While some of the painters included here have conventional art training, the majority of them are largely self-taught. They develop their ideas and skills by staying close to the metal and rubber, not by contemplating abstractions in the studio. They are immersed in the throbbing culture of bike building and riding, and, most importantly, they all love that culture intensely.

Extreme Motorcycle Art features stunning photographs of the completed bikes, close-ups of artworks, and detailed technical specifications of the customized components of the bikes depicted. Full contact information for every artist is also provided, making this a dream book for motorcycle fans worldwide.

 

SPECER DRATE and JUDITH SALAVETZ are both authors and graphic designers. Their recent titles include Extreme Design, Swag: Rock Posters of the 90s. and The Independent Movie Poster Book. In the music field, they have created CD packages for many international artists, including Bon Jovi, Lou Reed, U2 Joan Jett, and Talking Heads. Spencer Drate served for four years on the Album-Packaging selection committee for the Grammy Awards. Both he and Judith Salavetz were judges for the Altpick Awards 2003 and the Medialine Packaging Awards in 2003 and 2004. They also organized the first show on special CD packaging at The One Club in New York City . And were judges in the 1 st Annual North American Paint-Off, in 2005.