A few years back now I got commissioned to build a bike for an on line magazine, I was set a spending limit of 500 quid, which meant I had to use mainly second hand stuff. I did it, the bike got featured in Back Street Heroes magazine and that would probably have been the end of it. Thing is, it took me many months and when it was finished I couldn't bear to part with it so a deal was done and I became the sole owner of the project that had become known as Junkyard Dog.
Because it had been a budget build the paintwork was just single colour rattle can, it looked alright but I felt it deserved better. This is where my mate Robert Cooper come in to the equation. Rob, is a seriously talented artist and a really decent bloke too - an absolute diamond. I was familiar with his work - he has done loads of jobs for locals - everything from crash helmets to full race cars. His sign writing is absolutely brilliant so I asked him if he could take my tank and sign write it with junkyard dog. He agreed to do this and then asked me if he could perhaps add a bit more to it, I was quite happy to let him run with it and quite excited when he asked me to drop round the mudguards as well.
I had no idea what to expect but I knew it would be good, I have to say I was not disappointed - when I saw what he had done I was absolutely speechless. I'll shut up for a minute and just put a few images up to show you what he did.
All these photos were taken before the lacquer had fully hardened and been rubbed down, it looked even better after that had been done.
One of Rob's other passions is painting, he does a lot of WW2 scenes, particularly with aircraft. He recently blew my mind again with his latest paintings, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. If you would like Rob to do a commission for you let me know and I will put you in touch. He's retired now so only does a few jobs a year, making his works highly sought after. The first work is of a legend painted by a legend - Guy Gibson boarding his Lancaster by Robert Cooper. The second work of art is called Saving Angels, it needs no words from me. Rob mate, I love your work, long may it continue.
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