Janet Oh

Motorcycle and Art

2012-02-28T14:33:00.007-08:00

I just did this painting, its in a show that opens here locally this Thursday at Round Rock ArtSpace gallery. It was inspired by a photo I took almost a year ago. That tree will be looking like that any day now, but the red bike is gone. The bike was called yammy, because it was cute and a Yamaha. So, the painting is called, "Ode to Yammy". But, in the show I called it, Spring Morning. Don't tell anybody.
Its 24" X 12", acrylic on canvas.

Little Red Barn

2012-02-23T12:16:00.005-08:00

This is my painting for this year's Imagine Show. The title is, "Little Red Barn".
Its 16" X 20" acrylic on canvas.
Its a local historical landmark and I've included three small images below it that are others that I've painted that are a part of the local landmark series.
The next one will be a small white church that I've been noticing in the morning light.
I'll wait a little longer for the blooms of spring to arrive, which won't be long I don't think.

Imagine Show this Friday -Its about Art, not motorcycles

2012-02-21T08:32:00.001-08:00

I will be there along with some of my art.

No PEACE Bike

2012-01-23T18:52:00.000-08:00

Yep, thats right, no PEACE Bike -this time.
I guess I changed my mind for all the right reasons.
Bascially it just doesn't feel like the Peace Bike. Its a dark bike, meaning more than just the color. Its sits low. So, its low and its dark, and its not going to be the Peace Bike, its going to be GHOST PONY. A cousin to the Honda, Texas Ranger.
At least I have one theme on my mind now.
Thats good. : )
Both bikes are dark, and both will get the dark smokey wispy images from battles past. Its true smoke, basically true fire, but no color. I've been wanting to paint that way. I think I requires more planning and more control of the brush.
A friend, "BlackTop", has suggested some barbed wire pinstripe. So, I've been contemplating how to integrate that in, in a subtle way. Been thinking about leather, too. I might be trying my hand at that. A special pony would need special leather.

I picked up a small windsheid and I'm really liking it. Its just enough to keep some wind off and provide a little protection. Most tradtional windshields work just fine, but they have too much hardware, so much that it really takes away from the look of a bike, especially a smaller bike like a sportster.
The Sportech Cruise Series Windscreen is shown above in the 15" version. I'm extra short, so that is the correct angle for me. My eyes see right over the top.

Did some one say PEACE Bike?

2012-01-04T11:11:00.000-08:00

Looks like I got two projects. I can't think of a better way to start the year!
The Peace Bike is one I've really been wanting to start. I just picked up an '06 883 sportster that I will gladly turn into the Peace bike, and then ride generously. Its being lowered at the moment, and new bars along with the fender put back on. The rear fender has been chopped a little, and the license and rear tail light moved. Here is a photo of the bike (on top), and a photoshop image of the future PEACE Bike.

I have a plan for the Sabre

2011-12-25T14:34:00.001-08:00

This is the edited version from the earlier post.
I will paint over the factory flames, the current seat and bags will stay,
and wide white walls will go on.
The paint design is still cooking; this part is not something I rush.
I want the tank and fenders mostly dark from a distance, almost black, with some hints silver or grey. And like on the purple sporty, the main detailed image will be on the tank top.
The inspiration for the imagery will be pulled from the Battle of the Alamo.
A dream about a time and place long ago in black and white. Men and their horses in the heat of battle. I'm working on getting some skulls and fire in there : ).
I'll have a Texas Heritage Edition Honda.
Here is a distant view, details are TBD.

Thunder took the Purple Sporty

2011-12-19T12:04:00.000-08:00

My neighborhood is normally quiet, its been planned to be that way.
But, yesterday afternoon, I heard a thunder in the distance, and I knew what they were coming for. It sure hurt to let her go but it was best.
Amber is her new owner and they will ride together with the thunder.

Amber left her bike, so I have a new ride. Its really nice and smooth, and I'm already thinking about how I will make her even more special.

More photos from the Harvest Classic in Luckenbach, Texas

2011-10-25T19:44:00.000-07:00

Beautiful red bikes photographed at Harvest Classic

2011-10-22T21:16:00.000-07:00

I went to the Harvest Classic in Luckenbach today. I'll be posting more photos, but this one is the best.

Strangely there was not a single Norton there.

However, there was a red Moto Guzzi.

v star bagger, flames on or off?

2011-09-19T20:45:00.000-07:00

This is my "other " bike.

It floats like a sofa.

For awhile I've thought about putting classic flames on it. I just put some color-matched hard bags on it, and now I'm wondering if the flames might be too much.

The photo showing it with flames is a "photo-shop" of an earlier version before the bags were put on.

I may photoshop the bags and see how it looks before I make up my mind.

I'm thinking of repainting my sportster

2011-08-17T23:40:00.001-07:00

The purple paint is fine, it just doesn't go with a whitewall.

I love whitewalls. And, I love rat rods and rat bikes. And, I really like skulls.

These images are plans for the future.

Muscle bicycles, tank bikes, etc

2011-08-06T07:45:00.000-07:00

These are not Motorcycles but they might be art.

They are certainly influencing what we are seeing on motorcycles right now.

White walls, bright colors, sissy bars.

Cafe Bike design ideas

2011-08-02T21:52:00.000-07:00

Here are a few visualizations I did in photoshop for a friend to help with decal placement and some color choices.

She and her husband are building cafe bikes for themselves.

A tank and fender set I painted for a Honda Rebel Bobber

2011-07-04T20:34:00.000-07:00

Inspiration was the cover art for Iron Maiden's Final Frontier cd.

"Will", a sixteen year old, races motocross and rebuilt his own rebel bobber engine. His Dad secured his spot on my paint list by helping me with the old sportster a few weeks ago.

He is a huge Iron Maiden fan, and this is exactly what he wanted.

Cafe Trike

2011-06-24T19:54:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about cafe bikes. I would like to build one.

But, what about a cafe trike? A harley cafe trike.

These are not real, they are figments of my photoshop.

East Side Classic in Austin

2011-06-19T18:39:00.000-07:00

Saw some nice looking bikes in Austin today. I took a few photos.

More photos from the Working Man's Motorcycle and Art Show

2011-06-15T21:15:00.000-07:00

Working Man's Motorcycle And Art Show Photos

2011-06-11T22:38:00.000-07:00

It was great! Lots of nice bikes and artwork. I got some pretty good photos. ROT was going on too, so there was lots of bikes coming and going.

I really enjoyed participating.

night shot purple sporty

2011-06-09T22:06:00.000-07:00

Another photo

2011-06-07T20:47:00.001-07:00

Latest purple sporty photo

2011-06-05T11:44:00.000-07:00

Some of the parts were already black powder coated, I just added the ham can and the wheels to the list. My pipe dreamz nitemarez pipes will not be going on. These V&H longshots are doing the job just fine, both in sound and looks. I'll throw up a video later, and some better photos.

Things are looking excellent.

A few things are still on the "to do" list, but its getting pretty short.

I would like the distance between the rear tire and chopped fender to be less, and there is a set of struts here, but I'm just reluctant to put them on. We will see.

Where I'm at today with the purple sporty.

2011-05-23T19:10:00.000-07:00

At a pretty good spot actually. Lots better than a few days ago. The top image is where I'm going with it, and the bottom is where its at right now.

The fender swap and light/license side mount is next, my friend Jason will be in charge of that.

After that, there are details, and not all will get done before the show.

But, thats ok : ).

The show is the Working Man's Motorcycle and Art Show. I'll have a motorcycle and motorcycle paintings on canvas there. Its in Austin during the biggest motorcycle rally in Texas, the "ROT", or Republic of Texas Rally.

A purple tank on a Sportster

2011-05-22T13:32:00.000-07:00

I started out last fall with a goal of showing some of my own custom paint this summer. I got Nick's bike. Nick and his custom painted tank shared the same tattoo for 17 years. I offered to let the tank stay with him, if he would help me get my purple tank on that '92.
So he did, and it wasn't easy (mine is a fatbob), but I'm back on track.
I've still got some hurdles to get over in a short amount of time, but I can see the finish line now.

1927 Scott Flying Squirrel short video

2011-05-16T13:15:00.000-07:00

Here is the 1927 Scott Flying Squirrel being started and driven away.

I think there is more to the starting procedure, but I missed it. I was painting.

Photos from the Volente Vintage Motorcycle show

2011-05-15T19:17:00.000-07:00

It was a great day. Nice bikes, live music playing in the background, and a nice breeze by the water. I got to paint the Norton again. I just don't think its possible to paint too many Nortons. Not in my life time anyway.

Cafe Bike Rally & Ride

2011-05-13T15:31:00.000-07:00

Cafe Bike Rally & Ride

1927 Scott Flying Squirrel

2011-05-10T15:27:00.000-07:00

This 1927 bike is going to be driven in at the Volente Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show this Sunday.

Its starts at 2:00

Volente Vintage Bike show this Sunday May 15th

2011-05-10T11:01:00.000-07:00

The Village of Volente is hosting our Farmers Market and Spring Festival at the Volente Beach Club, Volente TX, right at the corner of Volente Road and Lime Creek road.

Vendors and live music.

Vintage motorcycle display for any pre 1981 motorcycles that ride in. No cost to sign up, no classes, no judging, just a Sunday ride and show in beautiful Volente.

Take FM2222 West to RM 620

Cross over RM620

FM 2222 becomes Bullick Hollow

Take Bullick Hollow to FM 2769

Take a left onto FM 2769

Volente Beach Waterpark is 4 miles ahead

Ratty Bikes and Rat Rods

2011-04-30T08:54:00.000-07:00

Rat Rods and Rat Bikes.

I think there is an art to making something look ratty.

An 80's design idea

2011-04-28T08:17:00.000-07:00

If you feel like you just clicked into the 80's, then I'm doing ok. Dersan, from Turkey, started a thread on the XLforum.net about his sporty and an 80's paint theme. He loves the 80's and wants to see that style both in color and images. Not an easy task, and the colors are not for the meek.

So, there was discussion and these are the results. He commented he loved the Miami Vice logo-both in type style and color.

I would not consider these final, but good starting points for color and style. How the top design integrates with the sides still needs resolution.

I hope he gets that 80's bike.

Painting on Canvas

2011-04-22T14:34:00.000-07:00

I paint traditionally on canvas. I prefer to work big, at least 3 feet by something.

I'm about to start a series on motorcycles, and I'm really looking forward to that. Don't know how many I'll finish, but they will be at the Working Man's Motorcycle and Art Show in June in Austin.

Here are some cars I've done. The Charger and Chevy are both over 3 feet on the longest edge.

The blue "Eagle I" was a smaller one I donated for a fund raiser.

A heavily customized sportster, "Old Red"

2011-04-17T17:49:00.000-07:00

This bike is a favorite. I didn't get to paint it, it was sold before I could.

But, it is a nice bike that I wanted to share.

I've included a "mock-up", or a digital design of what it may have looked like had I painted yellow true fire on the tins.

The pegs and grips were all cnc machined by the owner. He has skills in those areas that would be considered advanced.

I know the engine had some mods. It was bored out and had some cam work. The oil tank was custom, and the speedometer had a very unique look with inlaid brass, which the owner did himself. The owner also built a custom triple tree to accommodate the rake.

The leather seat was hand crafted by him as well, including the design on the surface. I've included two photos of it; one when it was new, and another with the patina of several miles.

In the design world, they have a word when the whole of something is in harmony with all its parts. They call it gestalt. Its a German word for form or shape, and in English it refers to the concept of wholeness. With this bike it would simply be badass.

More photos of vintage motorcycles from the show.

2011-04-13T12:17:00.000-07:00

Here are some more good views from the show this past weekend.

It was great, the weather perfect and the people extra friendly.

Red Norton Motorcycle

2011-04-10T19:26:00.000-07:00

I have a soft spot for Nortons. Don't know why really, but I suspect I'm not alone.

This one I spotted in the parking lot of Central Texas PowerSports during the first Texas Motorcycle Revival. It may become the inspiration for a painting I'll be doing for the Working Man's Motorcycle and Art show.

I'll post up some more photos from the Revival, but this Norton gets its own post.

2011-04-09T16:37:00.001-07:00

These are the photos of the Apple green real flames and skull bike I did for Jason.

He had it at the show in Georgetown, it looked great!

2011-04-08T18:07:00.002-07:00

Digital Designing Slideshow

2011-04-05T08:03:00.001-07:00

Digital Designing

2011-04-04T15:55:00.001-07:00

Digital designing can save a lot of time. You can "see" right away if something will work or not, very quickly. It can also save dollars because you didn't have to actually buy something and install it to see it. It can also maximize a design in many ways. Slight color changes or image placement can sometimes make a huge difference. You can also see offerings that you may never considered.

I can work right on top of a photo that you send, and show you changes, concepts, etc.

In the above photo we see stock, then another with added whitewalls, flames, and plate moved.

Then finally a seat color change, too.

My morning ride

2011-04-03T06:17:00.000-07:00

I had been noticing the pear tree's blooms and the sun's light for a few days. It was definitely a pre-meditated shot, I'm guilty.

Plein Air painting of a Flamed Trike

2011-04-02T08:27:00.000-07:00

One of my new hobbies is plein air painting motorcycles. That means I set up on location and paint for two hours and walk away with a finished canvas painting. My friend Martin calls them, "Glamor Paintings". They are not highly detailed, but the motorcycle's likeness is definitely caught. He says they have an impressionistic quality about them, and I agree. The top photo shows the finished result, and the second one shows an "in-process" of the painting along with the model.
I spotted this trike at the rally in Smithville, Texas. Its a smaller rally than the ROT rally, but there were plenty of nice bikes and lots of friendly people. The curves on this trike wear the classic flames well.

If I had a trike it would have to be black like this one with lots of curves and in need of paint. I don't know if I would like riding the three wheels, but I know I would like having all that real estate to paint.

2011-04-01T15:13:00.001-07:00

I just picked up the apple green real flames and skulls set.

They turned out pretty good. I'll post up the finished bike when Jason gets it together -which I don't think is going to take long.

2011-04-01T08:21:00.000-07:00

This photo shows the compete tin set for the purple sporty. Custom painting my own bike was the best. I went with purple because the bike frame was purple. For awhile I focused on darker themes, but ultimately went with happier skulls, and "true fire". I kept the really personal art confined to the rear fender. I do love the old 1989 Sportster, but I will sell her eventually. Keeping the personal art on the rear fender will make it easier for a change if needed. I almost didn't put the sugar skull on, but I really wanted, too, so I did. Since living in Texas I've acquired an appreciation for the sugar skulls, so I've incorporated them into my other "art"; commissioned paintings and jewelry making. I have lots of ideas for future paint jobs incorporating a blend of the skulls and rat fink style graphics. I love the old Ed Roth style art.

I think it would be awesome to take a photo of a rider with their bike, and transform them into a rat fink look, complete with skulls. I think the eyeballs could be pushed further, and I mean literally right out into the wind : ).

Painting the purple sporty

2011-03-31T17:09:00.000-07:00

I showed the purple sporty tins at a rally recently, and a guy called the skull group on the tank top, a "skull family." I kinda liked that. To me, the paint on top of the tank is for the rider. Its more detailed, and more personal. The designs on the sides of the tank should hold up to be viewed from a distance, so the images can be larger. This is not anything written in stone, just a general guide or rule, and certainly breakable.

For me, I wanted something special and unique, but at the same time, I wanted it universal. For inspiration I watched the movie, "The World's Fastest Indian." During the first race with the locals, we see Anthony Hopkins portray a man who is living life to the fullest -it just happens to be on a very old but extremely fast Indian motorcycle. I can certainly appreciate that, and I think most riders can relate to it in some way. Skulls and flames transformed that frame into the "skull family". In the photos you can see the frame from the movie, then my working digital "concept", and finally the airbrushed result.

Plein Air painting Norton Commando

2011-03-31T12:04:00.001-07:00

Plein Air painting, or painting on location is one of my resolutions for this year. I had done it previously while living in California, and even did some beach paintings for family while visiting recently, but I had not tried it here in Texas. I thought it would be of a historic land mark or something until I saw the Volente Vintage Motorcycle show announced. It was right by the water, and I knew the subject matter would be perfect. I met lots of nice people including Mark Scott, who was showing the Norton. It was the one selected that day as the model and I painted for 2 hours. I'll be doing more.

2011-03-29T20:19:00.001-07:00

2011-03-29T15:16:00.000-07:00

Today I finished up and dropped off an apple green flames and skull set. I'll post up the photos after the clear coat has been applied.