Instructors

Gene Winfield - @winfieldscustomshop

Brittney Thomas - @BombShell_Deluxe

Michael Ramirez - @buckwildbrand

Masanobu Nakane - @centerroots

Josh Culver - @culvercustoms

Jen Hallett - @jen_hallett_art

Jeral Tidwell - @artboytidwell

Jim McShea - @mcsheajim_art

Beth Kearney - @lildamestripes

Darren McKeag - @McKeagArt

Cory "Mr. Oz" Mroz - @mrozdesigns

Paul Thomas - @Paulie_Deluxe

Vanessa Power - @signsofpower

Taylor Nagel - @TopShelfSigns

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Gene Winfield - @winfieldscustomshop
Gene built his first roadster in Modesto, California while in high school during World War II and hasn’t stopped since. He opened Windys custom shop in 1946. He has raced cars on the streets, dry lakes and the earliest drag strips of the country. Gene and his car club attended and also hosted some of the first hotrod shows. In 1950 while in the Army he went to Japan. While he was there he built and raced a 41 Ford. After his return from the service in 1951 Gene opened Winfield’s custom shop in Modesto where he worked on projects like Rod & Customs dream truck. Over the years he has also contributed to articles in many rodding publications and even wrote a Q&A article for Car Kulture Deluxe.

By 1960 Genes work was getting national recognition, most notably for his custom paint jobs. His eye for shades and hues led to the development of the first fully blended paint job. His canvas was the radically customized 57 Mercury dubbed the Jade Idol. It was quickly followed by another custom Mercury called the Solar Scene, a 1950 with electrically operated seats that swiveled out to greet the occupants. A couple of other famous Winfield cars are the Strip Star and the Reactor, both of which featured futuristic looking designs and handmade aluminum bodies. Both of these cars are animated with remote control devices and gadgets. These cars have won many prestigious awards at national car shows.

Gene applied his body work talents to 3 roadsters that each won the 9 foot tall “America’s most beautiful roadster” award in 1955, 63 and again in 64. By 1962 his notoriety had brought himself and several other builders to Detroit. Ford offered each customizer a new product to restyle. The “Ford custom car caravan” hit the show circuit in hopes of capturing the youth market. Four years later Gene was asked to run AMTs (a model car company) speed and custom division in Phoenix, Arizona. There they would develop full size show cars and accessories. One such creation was a plastic bodied car called the Piranha. AMT built specialty vehicles for TV shows, feature films and movies. Some of Gene’s creations were the Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Get Smart gadget cars, the Galileo shuttlecraft from the original Star Trek series, a ‘31 chevy that converted to the NEW 1967 Camaro in under a minute for the Dean Martin show, a new Impala split front to rear for a Chevrolet commercial and he has also frozen a car in a block of ice for an oil company. Some of the movies and TV shows that feature his work are Ironside, Bewitched, Robocop, The Wraith, Magnum Force, Back to the Future II and the list goes on. In some of his spare time Gene had done stunt work for tire companies.

Some of Gene’s larger projects include 6 cars for Woodie Allen’s Sleeper and a monumental 25 cars for Blade Runner featuring Harrison Ford. Some of those cars had to be specially equipped with hydraulics to retract the wheels for a flying mode. One of them he recently restored for Paul Allen’s Science Fiction Museum in Seattle, Washington. He is also currently working with the World of Wheels series chopping tops during the shows. Last year Gene chopped 17 cars total of which 10 were done during the car shows.

In the mid-eighties custom cars were on the rise again. Gene found himself with customers wanting to get their Mercury’s chopped, sectioned and frenched again. He saw a need for repair to these old cars. He then developed a line of steel and fiberglass parts for Fords and Mercury’s to include complete 49-51 glass bodies. The glass bodies have built in features like frenched headlights and already chopped roofs. Aside from custom work and fiberglass business Gene finds time to attend many car shows and events around the world each year and even found the time to recreate his old race car “The Thing” which he races at Bonneville and El Mirage dry lake beds. Some of Genes newer creations include Maybellene, a 61 Cadillac with a Northstar engine and the Pacifica, a 63 Econoline pick up with a 5.0 mustang engine. Both vehicles feature air ride suspensions and are sporting some of Winfield’s finest signature paint jobs.

Some of Genes more recent TV work includes 2 interviews on Hot Rod TV, an interview with Dennis Cage from My Classic Car, the Old School Chevy and Insane 54 for Monster Garage, painted a Cadillac for Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) on TLC’s show Rides, demonstrated fabrication and painting techniques on Travel Channel’s Riding with Rossi and History channels Boys Toys Custom Cars where he also chopped a top, and 3 full size wind up cars for a Mobil oil commercial. With all that Gene is also in negotiations for his own TV show.

If that isn’t enough, Gene travels the world teaching workshops on metal fabrication to pass his experience of customizing on to future generations. When asked about current projects, a twinkle of his eye and his trademark smile was all we were able to get out of him. When asked about his age he responded the same way. No matter what, he is still going strong and shown no signs of slowing down.
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Brittney Thomas - @BombShell_Deluxe
Oxford, Flordia
Im Brittney Thomas but most of you know me as Bombshell Deluxe. I'm originally from CA but I now reside in a small country town in Oxford, FL. I attended Wyotech in Sacramento, CA and that is where I found the Kustom Kulture world and fell in love. Since then I have been honing my skills on anything from shoes, skateboards, to helmets and motorcycles! I mainly specialize in metalflake and kandy paint. My style of artwork is inspired from old school choppers, hotrods, all the way to wild lowriders. I look forward to meeting you and sharing my knowledge. Thanks!
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Michael Ramirez - @buckwildbrand
Los Angeles, California
Michael “Buckwild Brand” Ramirez based out of Los Angeles California has graced publications all over the world for the past decade. Featuring work from many high profiles such as Sailor Jerry Rum, Harley Davidson motorcycles, Keanu Reeves, Brad Pitt, Norman Reedus of Walking Dead, Tim Armstrong of Rancid, Yelawolf, LA speed shop, Dixxon flannels and many more. With over 20 years in the industry Buckwild Brand has became a staple to unique custom paint & design in the Kustom Kulture industry as well as A-list celebrities from all over the world.
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Masanobu Nakane - @centerroots
Toyota, Japan
From a young age I was interested in drawing and fabricating. I thought I wanted to be a special effects artist or an illustrator or a painter/sign painter. Once I discovered air brushing I became more interested in custom painting. My thought was really just to paint my own bike but It turned out to be much more than that. I don't want to be just a painter,I want to create and design. Since starting CENTER ROOTS in 2000. I am always iooking for new challenges and ideas.
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Josh Culver - @culvercustoms
Louisville, Kentucky
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Jen Hallett - @jen_hallett_art
Los Angeles, California
I’m Jen Hallett, an artist based out of Southern California. I’ve been painting professionally in the automotive industry for 13 years. When I was 19 I apprenticed at a restoration shop doing all the fun jobs like degreasing engine bays and color sanding trucks to get buffed out. Eventually I found my place in the paint shop. I started my paint career pinstriping and that hasopened up so much in the world of paint for me. Knowing how to pinstripe and learning proper brush control have helped me move into lettering, which is a huge passion of mine. Most of my commission work in the last 8 years has been on motorcycles and helmets and I’ve had the privilege of working closely with companies like Biltwell and Babes Ride Out with paint work and logo design work. I’m always growing artistically, and I look forward to offering what I can to new people in the industry.
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Jeral Tidwell - @artboytidwell
Louisville, Kentucky
Name: Jeral Tidwell / www.humantree.com
Age: 48
Stats: 5' 9", 190 lbs, Hard as coffin nails and soft as homemade biscuits.
Inspiration: Sarah Tidwell
Pro since: 1988
Injuries: 29 broken bones, joints, and teeth. Stitches 52 times, 7 TKOs
Belts: World body painting champion
Medium: All ( pencil, pen, brush, printing press, wood, metal, computers, etc... )
Hobbies: Bicycles and fishing
Food: Spicy
Kryptonite: Sarah and Chocolate
Ride: 1989 Mitsubishi Montero ( under construction, not currently running )
Current location: Louisville, KY
Life Moto: If you don’t have time to do it right, when are you gonna have time to fix it?
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Jim McShea - @mcsheajim_art
Bradenton, Flordia
My name is Jim McShea formely of Jims Lettering an Grafix. I was born an raised in New Jersey. I’m 59 and a self-taught artist. I was self employed for 27 yrs. I was approached by Feld Entertainment a year ago, an took a position as a senior paint automotive specialist. Translation, i paint the Grave Digger monster truck. Ive bin painting Grave Digger for 19 yrs. now. Feld was shipping bodies to my shop in Jersey, then they started flyin me back an fourt for approx 4yrs. They finally offered me a position an told me they wanted me in house. I moved to Bradenton FL an work in Palmetto home of Feld Entertainment a year ago. Ive lettered an painted custom signage, comercial trucks, dragcars, funnycars, pro-mod dragbikes, harley’s , hotrods an monster trucks! I totally love and enjoy painting, striping etc... i started out painting out of chicken coupe some 28 years ago an now i work for one of the biggest entertainment companies in the world, painting the most popular monster truck in the world ... I am truly honored to be a part of Brushmasters Getaway 2018 !! Thank you James R McShea 3rd.
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Beth Kearney - @lildamestripes
Loveland, Colorado
Beth Kearney based out of Loveland, Colorado is a full time pinstriper with over fifteen years experience in custom pinstriping, graphics and leafwork. She specializes in tight designs, with super fine lines. Whether it’s a car, bike, fire engine, or art piece, Beth always gives the job 110% and prides herself in clean unique work on each job. Published in numerous magazines you may have seen her work grace the pages of Auto art, Sign Craft, the Horse, and Cycle Source. -Beth
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Darren McKeag - @McKeagArt
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Hello, my name is Darren McKeag. Most of my art is a compilation of motorbike influenced art, however, I do hot rod inspired art as well. I've been an illustrator all of my life, and have tattooed for the last 30 years. For the past 11 years, I have worked mainly with enamel paints, in addition to tattooing. All of my enamel paintings are done by hand, with a brush. I also enjoy working in other mediums, such as acrylic, pen and ink, colored pencil and limited edition screen printed posters. Ranging from complete motorbike paint jobs, helmet paint jobs, pinstriping to t-shirt and event poster designs and even logo designs, the spectrum of my art is very broad. Again, thanks very much for viewing my art...
Cheers
Darren
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Cory "Mr. Oz" Mroz - @mrozdesigns
Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Im an artist originally from Indiana now based in Colorado. I have 15 years experience in automotive paint but mostly known for pinstriping, lettering and traveling, and paint on choppers, vans, lowriders, etc. I as well try to dabble in new mediums of art whenever I can.

I have a couple helpers nowadays at Mr.Oz Designs, were located in the mountains of Colorado and ship pieces all over the world. We are constantly trying to create new exciting pieces of work in various mediums, from custom sign paint & fabrication, store front design & marketing techniques, to unique paint works & logos... whatever gets the creative wheels turning with lots of paint and weird shit, were totally interested! I look forward to meeting and working with you to excel your brush work at the Brushmasters Get-a-Way!

Cheers -Mr.Oz
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Paul Thomas - @Paulie_Deluxe
Oxford, Florida
Paul Thomas is a pinstriper and custom painter originally from Flint, MI. He spent some time attending Wyotech in Sacramento CA honing his skills in the custom world. And now currently residing in Oxford FL. With over 15 years experience in the auto restoration and refinishing industry and 8 years in the custom paint and pinstriping industry over that time his work has been seen in many media publications He has painted multiple guitars for D'Angelico guitars that have been featured at the Namm show over the years. And created a number of award winning paint jobs that have been and currently shown across the country. His style tells a story and reflects his experiences and travels form the classic and traditional influences of the auto industry from his home state to the Kustom and low rider influence of the west coast.
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Vanessa Power - @signsofpower
Dublin, Ireland
Hi, I’m Vanessa, a sign painter from Dublin, Ireland. I started my sign painting business ‘Signs of Power’ in 2014 and I’ve been hard at it painting letters ever since.

Working mainly in 1 Shot enamel paints. And with a love for clean, well executed type I aim to apply this to all my work. My style is in bright, bold lettering, whilst trying to experiment with shading effects where I can. Referencing 20th century type sample catalogues, other sign craftsmen, contemporary design and ephemera.

I paint a variety of signs from smaller boards, to shop fronts and windows to larger scale hand lettered murals. I also dabble in gold leaf, both for glass and boards. I’ve been commissioned to paint for Facebook Ireland, Jameson Whiskey, Twitter Ireland, Guinness, several leading Irish design agencies, local cafes, pubs, restaurants, and many more.

And I can’t wait to come to the US to teach at this years Brushmasters Getaway.
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Taylor Nagel - @TopShelfSigns
Saginaw, Michigan
Hey guys! It’s Taylor from Top Shelf Signs. I’m a one man sign shop out of Bay City, Michigan. I grew up traveling the carnival circuit with my family’s concession business. I would watch old timers out on the midway paint rides and trailers. I didn’t know it back then but those dudes were shaping me into a paint huffin, 1Shot slangin painter.

In 2011 I met a guy that goes by Left Foot Willy. He taught me about brushes, techniques, paints, and all that other good stuff. Shortly after he took me down to Florida to paint carnival trailers with him. We spent a couple months spilling paint and talking shop over cotton candy and carmel apples. After painting 10 hour days, everyday on that trip and getting more and more stoked about it I realized what i was meant to do.

Ever since then I’ve put all my time and energy into getting better at my craft. I usually spend 8 to 12 hours a day at my shop just trying new things and creating new signs. It’s safe to say you’ll find me in the same position until I’m old and bald like an eagle, soaring over cans of 1Shot and perching up on the highest Mack brush. I like to forward to helping you with your skill at Brushmasters Getaway! -Top Shelf Signs

Questions?

If you have any questions feel free to contact us at Brushmastersgetaway@gmail.com!