This was my first attempt at creating a painted design on a derby cover. Overall, I’m very pleased with how it turned out.
There are some things I would do differently the next time. The biggie is I think I need to sort out the technical details so I can cast these in aluminum. This one is made from my standard bronze, which is a lovely material, but it seems a waste to use bronze only to paint over it.
I’m also interested to see how well this holds up over time. I gave it five coats of gloss 2K clearcoat, so in theory it should be tough as nails. But there’s no real knowing until we get some time and miles on it.
I actually hesitated to put this up on the website, because I’m not sure how much of this painting I want to do going forward. I got into making derby covers because I had the idea of combining the world of artistic bronze sculpture with the world of motorcycles, and that is still my mission. I worry that people will see this, and I’ll end up doing a bunch of painted derby covers.
Which is to say, if you have an idea for a design that you’d like to see in this style, give me a call. You just might be able to talk me into making it.
NOTE: The trademark for Yosemite Sam is owned by Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. It is presented here solely as an example of the work I can do. In no way am I representing that I own the trademark to this character.
In general, when I do custom commissions, I rely on the client to affirm that he has the rights to any images that he supplies to me. I’m just a guy who makes things.
In summary, do not ask me to make you an exact copy of this derby cover. I won’t do it.
