Incredible story. Glenn Priddle the famous leather seat tooling master was rolling south of Gympie, Australia towards Brisbane to find Little Mick's cave in the woods when he came across a hitchhiker carrying a canvas easel, with an airbrush hose wrapped around his neck. He immediately pulled over and offered the kid a ride in his rusting ute.
Turns out the kid was on his way to the main Postal authority in Brisbane to ship a brilliant steel cougar rendering to the Bikernet headquarters in Los Angeles. They got to talking and here's what Glenn learned about the life and times of Perry, the artist. In addition he uncovered the secrets to ordering fine art paint on bikes to Semi-trailers and helicopters.
Where were you Born?
Nambour , Queensland, went to Canada at 4, for 4.5 years, in Greenland. Went to the States Xmas holidays, touring with family. Came back to Australia after that and have lived here ever since. My parents still live locally.
What started you painting and air brushing? Were your parents artists or crafty in anyway?
Why are you asking so many questions. I just needed a ride. No, my folks don't paint, but my grandmother was a wood carver – when I was around 10 years old I started doing things with her – mainly drawing and entered competitions on the Sunshine Coast and won a few.
That got me started with Art and I liked it – so started following it. I didn’t do much with it until I was 17. I got my hands on an airbrush at school. Teachers brought them in for our art classes and I picked it up snappy-like – faster than most of the other kids.
I thought then I wanted me to be an illustrator or graphic designer. I enrolled in a graphic design course when I left school after Grade 12 – and found it wasn’t what I wanted to do . It was more about designing what goes on the page – not the actual artwork side of it. It was good, it gave me direction on designing and placement.
Where was that course?
Brisbane – at a Private College – Design College Australia. What's it to you. You can let me out here! Okay, put the knife down. The teacher could see I was more of an illustrator, so I was able to do the minimum in the graphic design and when the other students were working on a graphic design project, she’d give me illustration pieces to work on. She knew I was better at that.
I experienced airbrushing during the course. They had a guy come in and he demonstrated the art of airbrushing. I’ve taught myself since then. I started to pick up a couple of odd jobs like sign work. It took awhile to find what I really liked. Someone gave me the opportunity to illustrate on a couple of helmets and bikes and that’s where it really started.
Are you into motorcycles?
What's wrong with you. Doesn't everyone like bikes. I don’t ride, but I’ve always liked bikes and the artwork on them
What about the Hot Rod scene?Of course. Are you from Gympie? Yeah! when I was a kid I remember going to the Hot Rod Shows and seeing all the airbrushing and I remember seeing Frank Lee’s work. He’s a top airbrush artist in Australia and it just fascinated me and caught my eye. I was probably only about 12 years old when I first saw his paintwork on the cars. That’s what really grabbed my attention. When I got the chance to paint a bike – I just grabbed it. I couldn’t think of anything better than having my art on the side of a bike – riding around the place.
Who are your influences other than Frank Lee?I told you, my Grandmother, goddamnit. No one else. I didn’t get into it until about 6 years ago. Before then it was a hobby. I was working as a labourer and all sorts of different stuff. I only had time to do something every 3 or 6 months – a painting for a friend or for someone in the family.
About 6 years ago I got a bit of a start – yeah ! I wouldn’t say there was anyone who influenced me to start with. I’d look through magazines, but in the last few years I’ve gotten right into it. I really like Vince Goodeve from the states.
After seeing some of his work in the airbrushing mags, it really opened my eyes. It changed my style in the way I go about things. There’s a couple of other artists too. I like fantasy art, like Todd Lockwood, another artist from the States. Lately, in the last few years I’ve seen who’s out there, what type of work they’re doing. I’ve taught myself, so I wouldn’t say I copy anyone or any one style or the way they’re doing things. There’s different elements I've learned from what each person is doing and how they go about it, just like the “how to's “ in the airbrush books, like articles on different steps to take.
Once I saw the stuff from Vince Goodeve and how he goes about it – it really taught me, and ever since then my work has improved. Obviously doing it full time, for a job 8-hours a day improved my skills quickly.
What about Australian artists – like Little Mick?
You're a nosey bastard. Yeah! Little Mick's an inspiration. I remember seeing Little Mick’s stuff when I first started, everyone was talking about him – Little Mick was it – and I loved the skulls and that type of stuff. I looked up to his work when I first started and wanted to do work as good as that one day. Apart from him there’s not really anyone in Australia that’s really influenced me. There’s Wayne Harrison down the Gold Coast. I’ve seen some of his work – that’s about it. I probably haven’t paid too much attention to anyone else’s style and how they go about things. I know there’s a few people who teach in Australia, but I've never taken one.
If someone comes to you with a bike to paint, do they need their own vision and ideas or would you prefer to develop your own?
Ah so you want to be a customer? Well – it helps to have an your own notion. I’ve had people come to me and say, “I’ve no idea what I want.” That’s not a good starting point.
Do they need to bring artwork notions – or can they suggest a theme and you go with that?No, you don’t need to bring artwork, but they can bring pictures of the type of thing they’re after, and I can get an idea straightaway of where they’re going. Basically, I talk to them and get them to tell me the sort of things they like or don’t like regarding theme and placement. From there I work out my own ideas and produce it to suite.
When a bike shop gives you work, would you prefer to interview the actual customer?
Listen Gympie, if you want some art just say so. It helps if I talk to the customer directly, like now, because you can’t get a true idea, if you don’t talk to them . At least if I talk to them – I can ask the questions. I need to quiz them to produce the best job . It’s hard to pull it out of thin air, if you haven’t had a conversation with the end customer. You can spend hours coming up with something and it’s totally wrong for that particular person. I need to get inside their head, so just tell me what you want, damnit.
What does Grandma think about what you’re doing now?What the hell, she thinks it’s great. She follows my work. She still lives in Nambour, still wood carving and well known. She teaches classes, and her art is exhibited in Art Galleries around the Coast. She’s getting older, a bit arthritic, so she slowed down a little. She’s really happy for what I’m doing. Just leave her alone will ya. I'm not telling you where she lives.
Have you been overseas with your work?I’ve been to New Zealand. When I first started out, before the bikes. I created a lot of interior mural work in Pubs and Clubs, kids bedrooms, feature walls, that type of thing . It was good at the time. I don’t do much of that type of work anymore. One job I produced in New Zealand was for “Kelly Tartan’s Underwater World” in Auckland. A company on the Sunshine Coast decorate aquariums all over the world. They got me involved in that, which was good.
It’s mostly acrylic paint, and you can’t get the detail you want with the airbrush. Once I started with the bikes and the helmets using the two pack base coat, I could get so much more detail out of it. I could put the airbrush down for a couple of hours – then come back and start going again. With acrylic, it’d be blocked up after five minutes. That’s why I think I really like the bikes, I can produce finer artwork. I really want to go to American and see the Bikernet Headquarters.
You’re planning to go to America? Are you going to stick with motorcycles or try anthing, like hot rods, cars, or trucks?
I'll do anything to see the Bikernet headquarters. Here I do mainly bikes, then cars and I get the odd helicopter. I wouldn’t like to say I’ll just do bikes, I love to do artwork on anything. I do love the bikes, that’s for sure – but cars and helicopters give me a bit more size for the artwork. It’s more of a challenge, especially the helicopters, working on a four million dollar machine gives me a bit of a buzz in itself – just doing that.
So – what about semi trailers when you get over there?
What did I say. I'll paint the whole Bikernet Building. Yeah, big jobs like that are great. I’ve done a bus, fully covered it with artwork. I really like doing detail, especially with those big jobs, pictures and murals. If you start with fine detail, you’ve really got to continue with that level of perfection. I’m open to anything, just get me over there to the headquarters. Bikes are great – you can really do an amazing amount of detail.
You’re going to the States –you plan to see the country and work at the same time – perhaps learn more of your craft from the artists there?
Screw the country, it's covered with McDonalds, Jack in the Box and Starbucks. I just want to hang at the Bikernet Interplanetary headquarters and go to Disneyland. The opportunity to see what Bandit's up to, the new materials – pick up more skills – like pinstriping. So far I’ve pretty much stuck to airbrushing, there hasn’t really been a lot of time to learn pinstriping.
So, you’d look for people you can learn from?
Are you listening? Yeah – for sure. I have talked to a couple of people in the States. One company in particular has a ‘master’ pinstriper who also uses the gold and silver leaf, working for them. I’ve seen his work – it’s brilliant. So to go there and work with Bandit who introduce me, and learn – that would be great.
Who are they?
Just Bandit. He'll teach me the ropes and how to weld, although an Australian, Nicole Brosing was just giving him tips last week. But he'll hook me up with that blonde, Carol Mittelsdorf, who knows all the masters. I’d just like to get in there and see what I can do.
I’d love to get to Sturgis with Bandit and the Bikernet gang. My old man has a ranch in Montana. I’d like to use that and the Bikernet headquarters as a base, to go to Sturgis and Daytona.
If I bring you a tank – would you prefer it to be prepped – so you just do the airbrushing?
Yes, damnit. I don't want to paint a dented rusting tank.
Do you handle the clear coat or would you prefer it go back to the painter?I have done it – but I’d rather not. The original painter knows what works with his base coat. I airbrush it, then I’m happy to give it back to the painter to clear.
What sort of paint are you using? It’s got to be base coat. There are other paints out there, water based etc. I prefer to stick with what I know. It‘s an automatic base coat. I prefer to stick to that. I’m not an expert on the technical side of painting, so I stick with what I know.
Do you have a particular type of airbrush?
Don't ask me to teach you how to paint. I'm not giving lesson. I'm the artist, you're the driver. At the moment I use a ‘water micron c” with a B needle and tip. The B has the finer needle and tip. I put that with the c which has a bigger cup, so you don’t run out as quickly! I’d say the ‘water micron c’ is the best airbrush you can get. I’d say that definitely made a difference in the fineness of the lines I create. When you start out, you practice with the less fine brushes to get your movements right. I'm not telling you anymore
It’s seems a bit like tattooing, have you experience needles and ink?Okay, so it is. I’ve done some tattooing. I did pretty well. I actually got offered a bit of work, but I decided not to go into it. I didn’t want to give away the airbrushing and I liked the idea of working for myself at the time
So, when you get to the States ……?
Good god man. Are you jealous? I just want to make it to the Bikernet Headquarters. I guess I’d say I’d like to be part of something bigger now – be in a team environment where you talk to the customer and do the artwork – other people do the rest. That appeals to me. That would challenge me. I’d love to work on the finest bikes and cars – it’d be great working on them. It’s always cool working on quality vehicles.
I believe you've been offered work at “Wild Card Customs”, the new bike shop here on the Sunshine Coast. They are selling Big Bear Choppers, correct?
Are you following me? Yeah – I’m looking forward to that. I get the first one this week. Here on the Coast it can be hard to get consistent work. I could move to Sydney – but I don’t want that lifestyle. I’m looking forward to showing them what I can do on the Big Bear Bikes. I get a kick out of doing the flashy bikes – not that I don’t enjoy the normal Harley, I do. It’s just great to have people who appreciate your work.
Do you know which model the bike is?
If you let me out here I'll just walk the rest of the way. It'll be more relaxing. If you must know, it’s the Big Bear Chopper “Sled.” I’ve been talking to Chris – the owner of Wild Card Customs – he’s quite happy and confident with my work. He’s please that I want to talk directly to the customer, find out what they want.
I supply them with some sketches and ideas, then get the go-ahead. It’s going to be a show piece, but not over the top. It’s a tribal design, not the ‘in your face type’ but you’ll see the details, bones, sinews, skulls etc . He also wants an Aussie touch, so on the rear guard there’ll be a Ned Kelly design. There’s another one as well the “Athena.” The owner of that one wants a Greek theme, with Medusa & Greek mythology added. That model has a lot of panels. He plans to show it. It’s good to do something different.
No let me out of this rusty heap.
Come on Perry, stick with me. I'll buy you a beer. Do you have any Hobbies, or are you too busy with your airbrushing?
I could down a sixer. I’ve been doing some traditional painting with oils, creating some abstract work. I have a few mates who are artists, not in the airbrush scene, they’re traditional artists. I like the textures I can get on the canvas with the oil paints. It takes awhile to pick It up, but I’m getting better at it. When it’s a bit slow on the airbrushing I do a bit for myself. I’d like to learn as much as I can about art in general. I’d love to go to Italy and take some traditional oil painting courses. I was there about a year ago, there’s so many good artists over there. I really just appreciate art in general. I want to learn more about that side of it.
What's that piece your carrying, how many hours went into that?
Don't touch that. I painted the Leopard for Bandit at Bikernet. Off the top of my head – it was probably around 40 – 50 hours. It’s hard to say exactly – I didn’t sit and just do it. I worked on it in between other work.
It’s a really great piece…………..
I said don't touch it. Yeah, it was different. I ended up clearing it – but I wasn’t happy with it – so I went back to it and did more .
That was freehand?
You can't have it. Yeah, that was freehand. I drew the outline of the Jaguar and where his eyes were and a couple of the spots. I changed the leg – I‘m really happy with the background of that one – the way the light shows through the canopy of the greenery and the moss on the log. I guess it’s one of those things where each job keeps going and it gets a little more perfect and I never finish it – at the end of the day you’ve got to let it go. You’ve got to know when to stop. When I’m doing customer’s jobs – you’ve just got to stick to your standard. My wife is a great barometer for my work. She’s seen so much of it. She'll bust me if I’ve skimped anywhere, and she's not afraid to tell me.
There's the post office. Let me outta here.
Contact Info for Perry:
info@malletcustomart.com.au
+61 407677901 (cell)
Malletcustomart.com
