Airbrush Art: The Comeback!

Airbrush art has been around for decades but just in recent years it has hit the scene in a BIG way! Seems like everyone wants their very own custom fill in the blank.

This is great news for airbrush artists - many of whom had to hang up their airbrushes in the 80's or repurpose their art form into more functional pieces like signs or backdrops.

The industry also had a "near miss" in the late 90's with the advent of exceptional computer graphics programs like Corel Draw and Adobe Photoshop. I am certain that there were a lot of airbrush illustrators quaking in their boots!

But, alas, the custom craze has rejuvenated the art form - motorcycles, cars, helmets, t-shirts, shoes, roller skates - you name it, people want it airbrushed.

So who do we have to thank for this major comeback?

Well, in my humble opinion, there are four major groups we should all send flowers to:

1. Rap Artists / Hip Hop Artists

Whether you like their music or not, they certainly have elevated the demand for airbrushed items through their eclectic urban styles.

2. Graffiti Artists

Urban arts popularity, and the amazing skill and artistic ability of the street artists that paint it showed North America (and the world) that paint could both be sprayed and considered art.

3. Reality TV

Despite my distain for reality TV, it really paid a huge role. Overhaulin', Rides, Pimp My Ride, Orange County Choppers, etc allowed everyday joes to see the amazing artwork of airbrush legends commissioned to spice up the paint jobs on these shows - and, naturally, they all wanted it for themselves.

4. Airbrush Artists

Of course, this seems redundant to even say, but it seems wrong to leave it out. There are some seriously AMAZING artists out there producing incredible art and elevating the social status of the art form. Gone are the days when airbrush implied a cheesey (but still super cool, in my opinion) fantasy scene on the side of a van. Nowadays, artist paint true works of art - worthy of any gallery - on anything they can get their hands on.

And, lastly, lets keep the great work coming by supporting our fellow artists! The better our art, the greater the demand, the greater the demand, the more work and fun for everyone!!