About Jason
My name is Jason, and I am an a.s.e. certified Auto body and Paint Technician. I have been
working in the industry for 12 years, after completing my auto body certificate program at the
Milwaukee Area Technical College.
Unlike many in my particular field, I am not much of a gearhead. In fact, I didn't get a Driver's
license until I was 21, and my first car was a hand-me-down from my younger sister. I always
had a skateboard, or a bicycle , and didn't really need a car.....plus I failed to attend
Driver's Ed in High School. I am an excellent driver nonetheless.
I became interested in auto body after getting rear-ended in my vintage non-hippy VW. I enrolled
in AB school, then, after graduating, I quit my job at a health food restaurant to work at a
restoration shop specializing in early Mustangs. After a year or so, I left in order to do
crash work and used car repair. I've always preferred working on restoration type stuff because
it's nice to have the freedom to take one's time and do a job well, with care and attention
to detail.
I was having trouble finding a workplace that I liked, since I always felt like a bit of a
misfit. Again, I'm not much of a "car guy". I could care less what kind of stereo system you
have in your trunk, or which NASCAR hero is featured in that poster hanging over your toolbox.
I liked the artsy side of the job , and decided to start doing stuff on the side that would
be more satisfying.
I'd always been interested in Balloon Tire bikes from the 30's-50's, and started restoring some
for personal use. I began to paint bicycles and motorcycle tanks for friends. I'd paint pretty
much anything as long as it was interesting. Skateboards, clocks, appliances. I came this close
to painting a prosthetic leg for a woman who lost her God-given appendage in her first
motorcycle ride.
One of my bike friends met Jonny at the MMI alleycat race here in Milwaukee, and hooked us up.
Soon afterwards, I began doing his paintwork. He pretty much begged me :-) Seriously, I am
excited to be able to play a part in putting hot bikes on the street...... or wherever they
are ridden......... and am impressed and inspired by Jon's workmanship and style.
I like the fact that Jon and I are both bike enthusiasts (nerds). We ride 'em and talk about
'em alot. I enjoy planning future bike ideas on the phone with him, even if they seem dumb
in the morning. I look forward to the next paintjob, and the sound of the wind whistling thru
an unpainted headtube as I cruise to my shop with the latest Jonnycycle strapped to my back.
( edit: too hippy?)
I don't claim to be the best painter out there, or even one of them. I am, however, eager,
enthusiastic, and constantly seeking to refine and improve my skills. I take my time and give
each frame the attention it deserves. I believe that a paintjob is a living, breathing, and
evolving part of a bicycle....much more than just a color swatch picked out of a book. Paintjobs
should be vibrant and accurately represent the energy, thought, and care that contributed to
it's creation, as well as reflect the personality of the rider. I want people to be able to
tell that this bike is something special, even from 20 feet away. You should be able to close
your eyes, run your hands over the tubes, and still be able to dig the groovy paint. Serious.