‘Kustom Kulture’ (introduction)
‘Kustom Kulture’ is a term used to describe the whole culture/subculture movement behind the automotive customization which was started in the U.S.A. around the ’50s.
It is identified with the ‘greasers’ and the ‘rockabillies’ of the 1950s, the ‘drag-racers’ of the 1960s, and the ‘low-riders’ of the 1970s, the ‘hard rockers’ of the 1980s, the ‘metal-heads’ and ‘psychobillies’ of the 1990s, and all the revivalists and enthusiasts of the 2000s. Nowadays, the new technology, the improved materials and the modern techniques in combination with the ol’skool madness act as the fuel to custom and restyle the future.
Airbrush artists, pin-stripers, sign-writers, tattooists and fashionists, along with custom automotive builders and engine customizers, have all helped to form the legendary ‘Kustom Kulture’.
The art of Airbrushing
Airbrush is a pen-like, air-operated tool that sprays paint in order to precisely create artworks and custom paint jobs. The art of airbrushing is unique because it has nothing to do with the other traditional painting/drawing techniques, where its aesthetic outcome can be much more impressive and natural. It is a quite difficult technique like tattooing, where not many airbrush artists have managed to overcome the level of the ‘cheap kindergarten patchwork’ and reach the sphere of the fine art. Speaking about quality, the freehand detail and realistic airbrushing is the visual outcome of the art of AnexitiloN.
Airbrushing Materials & Techniques
At the AnexitiloN art & design studio, only top of the range materials, from the best U.S. industries are being used. For achieving the richest visual outcome, I work with special airbrush automotive colours, a combination of opaque, vibrant pearls, metallics and deep kandies. The whole painting is done almost 100% freehand with the use of many other kustom techniques such as marker-striping, metalflaking, dotpointing, lettering, fine-line graphics and multi-layered transparent art.
As far as I am an artist, I personally do not do rust removals, problematic paint/crack restorations, sanding/sandblasting, engine & mechanical parts assembly/disassembly, sticker removals, varnishing and polishing. If you cannot bring me the parts in the right condition to be airbrushed, No Problem. I have a professional team that can do it for you for a small fee.
Costs – Payment - Customers
Payment is half upfront and half at the end of the job, always in cash. The total cost of an art work, is calculated according to the complexity of the design, the size/scale of the project and the costs of the materials. There are No hidden costs and No extra taxes. Don’t worry, the prices are completely competitive. As far as this is a custom paint job, it is difficult to compare prices with other projects done before. Please have in mind that what you pay is what you get. I can adjust artworks to stay on budget, but Sorry, I NEVER do discounts on quality! As far as I know, ‘quality’ is the reason that makes my customers come to me, as they are the kind of people who are not afraid to try something new.
No matter how busy I am, I can always fit you in, to work on your dream machine. Please be patient because airbrushing is a very detailed work and takes time to be done. The kind of customers I love to work with, are those who are open to discuss suggestions and give me some freedom to do my best! I do what You want, not what I want.
Airbrushing Applications
Helmets, motorcycles, cars, trucks, boats, jet skis, walls, signs, musical instruments, furniture, canvasses, leathers, shoes, clothing, surfboards, skateboards, computer & laptop cases, human skin... almost everywhere! According to the case, I use the appropriate kind of paint that can be applied best without risking our health.
Airbrushing Care
Careful use, proper storage, cleaning and waxing will surely protect the airbrushing. On the other hand, the reckless handling, scratching, inappropriate corrosive cleansers, fuel and fuel vapors can damage the paint. There is no paint or material on earth that is not affected by the sun. No matter what, I use top of the range products; please protect the artwork from extreme weather conditions. If you take care of it, it will last forever.
Savvas Koureas
(AnexitiloN art work)