•Latisha with the DAvid Mann Bike- This is an image of myself with the David Mann bike. Many people who have watched the show remember me as the only female painter featured and the only artist to incorporate metal etching.
Latisha Wood was born the baby of a large family with four brothers and two sisters. She has been drawn to motorcycles since she understood her own father was killed on one. Her father best known to her family as “Daddy Jerry” was killed by a drunk driver when she was only a few months old. But she doesn’t dwell on his death instead, Latisha says, “Painting bikes is her way of connecting to the father she never got to know.” Her father was also a self taught artist and his talent definitely lives on in Latisha, in fact Latisha feels him guiding her every day.
•American Legend- This is 2.5 gallon HD sportster tank I painted and etched an American eagle into the tank. It is what I call “The American Legend” and it was created as a tribute to Harley Davidson.
Her amazing ability began when she was old enough to hold a crayon and has continued to grow right along with her. No one who knew her then, even her family would have ever have guessed her ability would have brought her where she is today. Latisha got her first break and began working on bikes on the Discovery channel show American Choppers.
•Hand painted Liberty portrait. The bike was built to raise money to restore the nation’s monument.
The first bike she painted was the Liberty Bike but it was the David Mann bike that demonstrated some of her finest work and her true potential to contribute to the world of art.
•The David Mann Bike- Built as a tribute to David Mann by Orange Country Choppers. The bike was featured on Discovery Channel. This is the bike where I first featured my metal etching technique known as “Flames Of Steel”.
Since then Latisha has acquired many painting techniques including; metal etching, air brushing, detailed hand painted artwork, gold leafing, and she works with a vast amount of amazing new age paints.
•Artist At Large- Entirely metal etched artwork designed to captivate the flavor of several artistic forms such as tattoo, music, and fine art.
Her clients seek her out from all over the country with 95% of her work being shipped to her through the mail. She takes on 8-10 bikes a year and spends two to six months custom painting them. Latisha also spends a lot of her time doing projects for charities such as the Cancer Association, Livestrong Foundation, Breast Cancer Awareness, American Diabetes Association Ride to Live, Georgia Sheriffs Association Youth Homes, Juvenile Diabetes Association and the March of Dimes.
Southwestern Victory Kingpin- This is an example of the featured artwork I can do. This is completely airbrushed and hand painted over the original Victory factory paint.
Her talent is astounding and each project she takes on displays her unique abilities and personal creativity. Some of her abilities as an artist include but are not limited to; portraits, pinups, etchings, illustrations, and anything custom designed, she incorporates her work onto anything from bikes, guitars, cars, fine art and even homes. Her talent has not yet reached its brink and Latisha hopes to continue to be a success.
•Les Paul Portrait- This is a Gibson Guitar Les Paul that was designed and painted for Gibson Guitars. The Guitar features a painting I did of Les Paul with his first home built acoustic guitar. The guitar is displayed at Gibson’s Museum.
Latisha was inspired by her last job when her client Joe Leroy an Olympic runner hired her to paint the Tattoo Bike which displays several etchings, hand painted artowrk, airbrushing, custom stripping and gold leafing. The Tattoo Bike features several of Joes amazing tattoos one being a metal etched Olympic torch. As a result of the inspiring project Latisha has decided to learn the art of tattooing.
Joe’s Tattoo Bike. Images of the gas tank and front fender for the tattoo bike. The bike is yet to be completed so look out for more to come in the future. On the gas tank the dragon and tiger are tattoos of joes they are also etched into the metal of the tank. On the front fender I have etched the Olympic torch, the torch is also one of Joe’s tattoos.
It’s easy to see that Latisha will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the art industry as she continues to reach for the stars, reinventing herself and setting no limits. So, if you think you might want a unique piece of art on your bike, family home or even your body you know right where to look. If you would like more information on Latisha Wood go to www.LatishasArt.com . I can’t wait to see what she will create next.
Photos are property of Latisha Wood and should not be copied and taken without her consent. Thanks…
