Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT
I don't know how old you are, but many of us started out with models and drawings. I can tell you a few things that might get you started in a custom auto career.
I can understand what you want. I was much like you. I did my own cars first, then my friends started hiring me, then I did it as a part-time business until I had enough business to start doing it full-time. I will also tell you this: You will continue to improve all of your life, so the more involved you get, and the longer you work, the better you will be. Another tip is to never give up. I have had some really bad times as I learned about the paint business, but you cannot fail, unless you give up
This will take time. Whatever part of the automotive field you like the most, should be what you work on the hardest.
If you like artwork, you could learn to paint, or take some art classes and maybe some airbrush classes.
If you just like art, start doing some paintings of cars. Maybe car magazines or tattoo artists would be a place to sell designs.
If you like new car design, you would want to talk to the California school that trains most of the car designers for the American and foreign manufacturers. Maybe there are scholarships or loans available.
Practice, practice, practice. Each job you do will make you a little better.
You could build, restyle, or paint a car of your own. If that means getting a better job, begging a place to work on it, and being patient, then do whatever is necessary. If people like what you've done, they will hire you. That is how I, and many others got started.
If you want the most success, you will need to live where that success is. If you work as a craftsman, like I do, you will need to be near a lot of people. I live in a town of almost a million people, and I still don't have enough business when the economy is slow. If you want to be on TV, you will need to be in an area where that is possible, like California. If you want to work for a car manufacturer, you will need to live where they operate.
Seeing how dedicated you seem to be, I think you have a chance to succeed. Good luck.
