Gearhead Art for the Gearhead

Original Fine Art and prints, custom design work, tattoo flash, commissions, custom murals and custom model kit construction.  

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Hello, and thank you for visiting my site.  My name is Dan Burns and I am an artist with a love for anything that makes noise and burns rubber.  My current works are primarily acrylic,  however I have extensive experience in multiple mediums, including oil, watercolor, India ink, pencil and colored pencil, automotive painting, and sculptural materials.
My primary focus in terms of subjects are hot rods and motorcycles, and the lifestyle surrounding them.  I indulge in this lifestyle myself and paint what my mind makes up regarding these subjects.  The kustom kulture world is full of rich, radical imagery...I can only attempt to pay it homage.
All my originals are for sale, and prints are availible on request.  I'm also open to business for commissioned design work including logo design, custom tattoo design, murals, helmets, gas tanks, your neighbor's kid...whatever you want a painting on, I'm sure we can work something out.
Please feel free to browse my portfolio and please stay tuned for updates to the images.  Thanks for stopping by and please come again.

Next Event:  Billings Gallery Of Fine Art/Burn The Point, Sept. 2-3, 2011

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This is our next "biggy"!  This gallery is on the corner of 2nd Ave. N and N. Broadway in Billings.  The Burn The Point parade drives right past it, and the street dance is right in front of it.  Location, location, location!!
It is a fantastic space run by artist/gallery owner Victoria Frank Wetsch, and we're very excited for this show.  For my part it will feature only hot-rod related works, and some of my finest work yet.
The following day we'll be down at the car show/swap meet for the Burn The Point rally at the MontanaFair fairgrounds in Billings.  Admission to the parade is free, and I think it's pretty cheap at the car show.  The proceeds from the show benefit Chase Hawks.

UPDATE:  Beat The Heat, August 21, Red Lodge, MT

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This was a fantastic event for us!  While I think there were a few less vehicles than last year, I think the quality was higher, and Marie and Eric achieved their goal of getting more motorcycles.  I'd still love to see more, but there were 6 or 8 bikes as opposed to 2 last year.  Lets triple that figure again next year!
Becky and I had a magical day.  I sold some paintings, Becky sold some bracelets, our 1968 Camaro won "Best GM", and we became members of the Body Snatchers Car Club!  Thanks to Dan Oltrogge for making the trip on his softail and showing support.  Huge thanks to Marie and Eric Olson, Randa and Kirk Schroeder, Callie Stewart, and all the Body Snatchers and attendants of the show and rally!

Original Fine Art

Like many artists, I work with many different materials, genres, and styles.  Below are
 all my current works, hot rods and motorcyles on the left, listed smallest to largest
 with a couple odd-balls thrown in, and on the right are my sci-fi pieces.

Past exhibitions and previous artwork, along with current and upcoming shows here.

If you see something you like please feel free to take it off my hands!  Even though I
 love all of these and enjoy having them in my life everyday, I hope some of you can
 find enjoyment in them too.  Please keep in mind that made-to-order prints are
 availible of every original piece.  See below or contact me at


d
anburnsart@hotmail.com

Smooth

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Kind of a whacky piece, but very "kulture", and just fun. 
I was playing with different techniques in the background area, layering, rubbing, scraping.  I just got a new set of painting knives and wanted to do this piece only with the knife...no brushes.  In the end I did revert back to my beloved Size 10 Round and my scripter.  The paint was at that moisture level when it is just buttery and luscious....smoooooth.

Rumble Love

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I've always claimed that as an artist I hold no personal attachment to the art I make.  For me, as the artist, once a painting is complete it has served it's purpose for me....it's time then for it to go on to someone else to enhance their life.
Once in a great while I paint something that even I have a hard time letting go of.  "Rumble Love" is one such piece.  From a technical standpoint it is one of the best paintings I've ever done.  There are parts of this painting that I can't believe I did; I didn't know I was that good!  To be honest it's more luck than me being "good", but therein lies the magic of art...once in awhile things combine to work amazingly well, and this was one time.

Racer's Peak

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Another one that was barely around for more than a couple days and it was sold.  The BEAT THE HEAT Rod Rally in Red Lodge has been great to us!  I have a wonderful couple of patrons in that town who really made my day.  Proud that this will be hanging in their basement.

Green Tee

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I love the back-end of the Ford Model T.  I struggled with this painting, and while it may not meet my highest expectations, it remains a bit of a quirky piece that contains some excellence, and some ignorance, from an artistic standpoint.  Available after Oct. 1st, 2011.

TDC

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The first in a series of "viniettes".  I have such fun with wild, "artsy" backgrounds, and putting hot-rod inspired graphics over the top of them makes for some fun art.  This one wasnt even around for 24 hours before it sold!

Ten Gallons In A Five Gallon Bucket

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The third piece for my upcoming show at the Billings Gallery of Fine Art on Sept. 2.
I love blues, but everytime I start with a blue background I feel like I loose track of the painting.  This is one I feel I got a handle on again.  Very happy with this little guy.

The Rider

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I did this painting for my good friend Dan Oltrogge, a fellow artist, hot rod and bike enthusiast, brother of the road, and most of all, great friend.  It occurred to me awhile back that he'd given me a painting or 2 of his over the years, but I cant recall ever returning the favor.  So this one's of him, and for him.  Thanks for everything Brother.
Dan's art can be seen at www.motocolors.com

Green Meanie

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The Model A Ford is one of the greatest hot rods ever. 
With this painting I wanted a dramatic composition, and to play more with color contrasts, and in limiting my use of colors.  Believe it or not I only used about 4 different colors in this painting.  Piece No. 2 of my September show at the Billings Gallery Of Fine Art.

Project

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Perhaps it was a "barn-find", an old custom that was started but never finished back in the day.  Maybe it's been sitting under a tarp waiting for glory.  Either way, the faded, grungy paint and slight rust stains show that this machine has yet to enjoy it's golden years. 
This is the first of my next show at The Billings Gallery Of Fine Art opening on September 2nd in celebration of Burn The Point.

Storm Rider #2

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I played for a very long time with the sky and background of this piece.  You'd never belive how many layers of paint are on this, but not because I didnt like what I had already done and painted over it...but because it was a development....the deepest layer is still visible and part of the finished product.
Part 2 of two paintings, I felt this one showed a rider after passing through the storm, as he bares down, white knuckles, letting the engine eat and the evening heat dry his soggy soul.
This is painting 12 of my current show....just one more to show you, coming on August 5th right here!

Available Oct. 1, 2011

Englishman In An American Smoking Jacket

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A super traditional Triumph chopper.  Just had fun with color contrast and shading in this one.  And it's a Triumph motor in chopper duds, hence the title.

Available Oct. 1, 2011

Storm Rider #1

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This was the first painting I did for this show.  I was playing with the acrylics, trying to create unique effects using a spray bottle and gravity.  Suddenly a storm appeared in the sky, and a rider pounding his way across a bleak, soggy landscape.

Sale pending

Pedro

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This started as a photo of really clean mild Shovelhead custom, but for some reason it became purple with slight upsweeps.  I struggled titling this piece, but then it came to me the other day.  We used to ride with a guy named Pete.  This is his bike.  I just sorta painted it without even knowing it.   Wonder how old Pete's doing...

Available Oct. 1, 2011

Granddaddy

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Where all "modern" v-twins arose from...the legendary knuckle head engine.  To my eye one of the prettiest pieces of machinery ever gleaned from the human mind.

Available Oct. 1, 2011

Mistress

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A late night in the shop, wrenching away on his prized Sportster.  But just who is the mistress?  The beauty waiting for him outside the door, or the bike itself?  Many a gearhead's wife or girlfriend can probably relate to this piece, and does she feel happy he's not out raising hell, chasing women, or is she jealous of the bike recieving his attentions?

Available Oct. 1, 2011

Death Machine

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Another outrageous 70s style chopper, but with a more subdued feeling.  Given the low seat, high bars, boingy springer, and rigid frame, this chop could easily bring certain death to the weak of heart.

Available Oct. 1, 2011

Acid Chop

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To me this bike represents the standard of 70's audacity.  That combined with the psychadelic background makes it a mindbending piece.  Acidic, you might say.

Available Oct.1, 2011

The Hun

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It's a BMW, so yeah, it's a Hun, sorta....always loved boxer cafe racers, and it was a fun chance to do something different from a Harley.  Available  Oct. 1, 2011

Ridden

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Playing with background interest, and focusing on a more figurative approach to my work, as so much in the past it's been narative.
This was gonna be a  sweet show bike at first, but staring at that grungy background while painting the scooter just made it come out grungy.  And the old school bro who would ride this Knuckle chopper would have done just that....RIDDEN it!
Available Oct. 1 2011

Frisco, '69

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I've been obsessed with early choppers as of late, the kind of bikes that outlaws from San Francisco and Berdoo would have ridden 40 years ago.  The East Bay style is just loaded with attitude, while maintaining a strong sense of functionality, but the bikes were still sometimes a bit cobby around the edges.  Thats what "Frisco, '69" is meant to embody.
Available Oct. 1 2011

11x14

Libertine

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This one started as a palette cleaning, hence the "artsy" background.  That background came out as dirty red, white, and blue, and this dude certainly excercises his freedoms.
SOLD

Whiplash

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16X20 Acrylic on stretched canvas
Commissioned artwork    

Masters Of Mayhem

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10X10 Watercolor on paper
Commissioned design

Bad As Shit

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24X18 Acrylic on stretched canvas
SOLD

Blitzen
21X26 Acrylic on Wood
$
400.00    
 
Just Call Him Nicky
16X20 Acrylic on Wood
$
300.00    
 
We Three Kings
18X22 Acrylic on deep stretched canvas
$
375.00    
 

The Wait

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16X20 acrylic on deep stretched canvas

SOLD

Old Man Winter
16X20 acrylic on deep stretched canvas (not available for sale until December 5, 2010)
$
350.00    
 
Parts Run
18X24 acrylic on deep stretched canvas 
$
450.00    
 

Companions

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23X25 acrylic on masonite

SOLD

New Cool

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18X22 acrylic on wood
SOLD

Rust Stains
9X11 acrylic and stain on wood
$
150.00    
 
Rat's Cheese
18X26 acrylic on stretched canvas
$
350.00    
 

Badasses

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9.25X11 acrylic on wood

SOLD

The Custom

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16X20 acrylic on wood

SOLD

DB's Hot Rods

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8X10 acrylic on canvas panel
SOLD 

Lost Horizon
11X14 acrylic on canvas panel
$
250.00    
 
Purple Slug
8X10 acrylic on canvas panel
$
125.00    
 

Salvage Yard Refugee

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8X10 acrylic on canvas panel

SOLD

Small Triumph

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8X10  acrylic on canvas panel

SOLD

Sundowner

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8X10 acrylic on canvas panel

SOLD

 

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Centaur

8X10 acrylic on canvas panel
SOLD 

Hot Rod 'Binder
 10X14 acrylic on wood
$
250.00    
 
Rainy Day Joyride
10X14 acrylic on canvas panel
$
250.00    
 
Hot Toad
11X14 acrylic on canvas panel
$
250.00    
 
Racing The Dark
16X20 acrylic on canvas panel
$
350.00    
 

Beast Within

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16X20 acrylic on wood
SOLD

Ogre

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11X14 acrylic on canvas panel

SOLD

Goblin In The Woods

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16X20 acrylic on canvas panel
SOLD

Hell's Express
16X20 acrylic on canvas panel
$
350.00    
 
Salty Dogs
16X20 acrylic on canvas panel
$
275.00    
 
Cadillac Heart
18.5X21 acrylic on wood
$
400.00    
 
Midnight Metisse
18X22 acrylic on canvas panel
$
400.00    
 
Moonlight Race
18X24 acrylic on canvas panel
$
400.00    
 
Skully's Tattoo Shop
20X24 acrylic on canvas panel
$
600.00    
 
The Pit
20X24 acrylic on canvas panel
$
450.00    
 
Going The Distance
12X24 acrylic on wood
$
325.00    
 

Downtown Rivals

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Donation to Bo Huff Benefit Auction

SOLD

Reaper Vignette
4X18 acrylic on birch plywood
$
100.00    
 

Into The West

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18X24 Acrylic on canvas panel

$500

Sauron Discovers Orodruin

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11X14 Acrylic on canvas panel

$250

The Lonely Mountain

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22X28 Acrylic on stretched canvas

$450

Minas Morgul

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22X28 Acrylic on stretched canvas

$400

Where Time Has No Power
16X20 acrylic on canvas panel
$
300.00    
 
Arrival
16X20 acrylic on canvas panel
$
300.00    
 
Hideout
16X20 acrylic on canvas panel
$
300.00    
 
Smelling The Roses
20X24 acrylic on canvas panel
$
475.00    
 
Lonely Outpost
16X20 acrylic on canvas panel
$
250.00    
 

Custom Art Prints

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I will sell made-to-order prints of my original pieces upon request.  If you choose to take my artwork with you where ever you go, I can even print it on a t-shirt for you. Prices will be between $25 and $200, but will also depend on size and other options.  Please contact me at danburnsart@hotmail.com to discuss sizing and other options. 

Tattoo and Logo design/consulting

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Want me to draw up your tattoo so you can get the perfect design before you get it inked?  Maybe you have a business of your own and don't want to get soaked when it's time to design a logo.  I'd be glad to help.  Pricing could be hourly or by job, depending on the size and scope of what you may want to accomplish.  Please contact me at danburnsart@hotmail.com to talk it over with me.

T-shirts!!!                $25!!

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Yep, now we've got T-shirts of my art.  Wanna take my designs with you?  Literally throw it across your back.  At this time T-shirts are on an as-ordered basis, and we can make one of any of my designs on just about any color and size shirt.  They're fun.  Just email me at danburnsart@hotmail.com and let me know what painting you want on what color, size, and style of shirt.
(long-sleeve and sleeveless shirts may cost more; price does not include S&H)

    Feel free to send me your questions and comments.......