ETERNAL COMBUSTION

Post by Michael Lichter

So here it is - the 10th annual "Motorcycles as Art" exhibition I curate each year was announced at the V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati Sunday morning so I can tell you all about it. It will again be held at the 6,500 square foot Lichter Exhibition Hall built last summer on the grounds of the Legendary Buffalo Chip, and like last year, there is no admission fee.

Basically, the exhibit will focus on the explosion of interest and the passion for custom motorcycles seen over the last 30-years. I titled it “Eternal Combustion- 30 in the Wind”, and it poses the question, “How is this passion passed on through time?” by displaying 30 recently built custom motorcycles by 15 pairs of builders tied together by family, respect, friendship or apprenticeship. On the walls, I will display my work (the first time in a number of years) to celebrate my 30th anniversary of attending bike week in Sturgis. The builder teams highlighted within the show include: Arlen Ness & Paul Yaffe, Carl & Matt Olsen, Dave & Jody Perewitz, Donnie Smith & Brian Klock, Eddie Trotta & Todd Silicato, Kevin Baas & his Kennedy High School Chopper Class, Gard Hollinger & Satya Kraus, James & Dave Kaye, Jerry & David Covington, Kirk Taylor & Brian Schimke, Roland Sands & Drake McGillroy, Ron Finch & Gary Maurer, Ron & Hunter Simms, and Sugarbear & Counts Customs.

I hope you all get a chance to see it during bike week when it will be open from August 7th-13th. If you aren't familiar with the venue from last year's "Rebel Rousers - Motorcycle Icons that Inspire Us to Ride" exhibit, this is what is looked like -

FLYING START TO 2010 - DELAND, FL EASYRIDERS APPAREL SHOOT

Post by Michael Lichter

2010 was off to a flying start with a shoot in Deland, FL to update photos for the Easyriders clothing catalogue. As we prepared for what was to be an outdoor location shoot, the Florida forecast was nerve-racking with temps dipping into the mid-20’s each night! As always, we were prepared with everything we needed to set up a studio at Da Vinci’s / Florida Victorian (check this place out for music, drink and antiques the next time you are in Deland – its awesome!!!) and shot a little outside during the warmest hours of the day. Lisa and Tanea of the Purrfect Angelz flew in from CA to model and Melissa Penland arrived with her crew from Easyriders Apparel / Hot Action Sportswear in Daytona Beach with the product. Last minute help with male models came from John Lodi at Bikers Bay who sent Canada Dave over who not only modeled but thinking hanging out with pretty women on a photo shoot wasn't a bad way to end his trip to Florida, so he helped us out for 2-whole days. After a visit to West End Cycles where I'm sure they thought I was nuts asking people to model a couple of hours later, Matt came over to model. Same thing at Addicted To Ink Tattoos but Philly John from came over too. The biggest surprise was when Regina pulled up in her ’34 rat rod with Philly and a huge smile came across my face. She came to give Philly a ride and moral support since this modeling thing can be a bit discombobulating, but before she got out of the car, I knew she would be in front of the camera. Her car and beautiful self were in more photos than anyone! The shoot came off perfect with new locations (we've shot most of the last few years at the Iron Horse Saloon and Broken Spoke in Daytona) and the strong, dramatically lit studio shots will add a new dimension to the catalogue. Special thanks to Tim and Eric who helped out all 3-days barely saying a word, Steve Temple who traveled with me from CO and Billi Jo who got right in there primping and pinning.

Gina with her '34 rat rod in the last seconds of sunlight in the Deland-Deltona Beacon garage.


Lisa hamming it up with a big knocker


Philly John minutes after arriving in Gina's rat rod


Canada Dave with his nephew Cayne


Big Steve took a break from the Iron Horse Saloon



Tanea staying warm in the last rays


Gina and Uncle DC who brought her over on the rainy day


Gina as she looking pulling up in her rat rod - we only had to swap her shirt. 300 CI inline-6


Canada Dave finished off a supposedly warm 2-month trip with his bike in FL with the shoot

CATCHING UP/2009 LACONIA NOW POSTED

Post by Steve Temple

So you may have noticed that we've been absent for the last couple days weeks months. We have really good reasons though. After a loooong Sturgis, both Michael and I needed to take breaks. I took off with my wife to Europe for a 12-day cruise through the Mediterranean visiting Venice (Italy), Dubrovnic (Croatia), Athens (Greece), Santorini (Greece), Naples (Italy), Rome (Italy), Florence (Italy), Cannes (France) and Barcelona (Spain). It was an incredible trip and cruising was a great way to see so many places without ever needing to unpack and repack over and over. There are pics from the trip at the bottom of this post.

Michael hit the east coast with double duty, a vacation with family from abroad and shooting The Gypsy Run that wound it's way through Vermont, New York and New Jersey. With 2 weeks of time off, we were both ready to dive back into work. We had a few non-motorcycle commercial shoots in Sept. and Michael ended the month with a trip to wine country in CA for a Charity dinner and Doobie Bros. concert.

October came and went in a flash. We had a few commercial shoots for a manufacturer of stainless steel and copper hot tubs, but we also went out to CA for Custom Chrome and shot their 40th anniversary party and two new bikes commemorating the occasion. Included as part of the shoot, we took a group of CCI employees and friends on a ride down Highway 1 along the Pacific Ocean to get some shots for their catalog. The day wrapped at Johnny's Bar in Hollister for a post shoot beer and group shot against the mural alongside the bar. Check out the pics at the bottom of this post.

As for November, I cannot believe one week from today is Thanksgiving! The older you get and faster time flies by. Anyway, as we entered November Michael had just returned from shooting the Lone Star Rally in Texas. The attendance and vibe were off the charts this year! Back at the studio I was prepping for a shoot with Sucker Punch Sallys. They finished Flos Flyer and another bike for Progressive Insurance and wanted them shot before hitting the shows.

I know I mentioned Laconia in the title of this blog post, so here it is. Laconia 2009 has been posted to our website here. Check out all the pics Michael took at this years rally in the Weirs.

Custom Chrome 40th Anniversary:

My photos from our cruise in the Mediterranean:

Gondolas in Venice.

Walkways or streets that wind through Venice.

The Acropolis in Athens.

Nice view in Oía, a small village in Santorini, Greece.

Oía

Wall painting inside Pompeii's bath house.

The Coliseum in Rome.

Inside St. Peter's Basilica. Vatican City, Rome.

Dress in a window. Eza, France.

La Sagrada Familia by Gaudí.

Passion facade. La Sagrada Familia.

2009 STURGIS, POST 2

Post by Steve Temple

We're in full shoot mode and hitting our stride in Sturgis now. Sunday was our first full day of editorial shooting, and the day to get kinks out of the system. Sturgis is an animal in and of itself with regard to photography, there are rides, bikes and the all around event to shoot. It means a lot of equipment and a lot in general to keep track of. It's gotten back enough that I've had to start sportin' the photo vest just to keep up. Need all those pockets for press passes, lens cleaner, Chapstick, notepad and pen, the occasional lens, batteries, phone, lens caps, video camera I need to start using more, umbrella, model releases and keys to everything.

Back to Sunday, we had a great ride organized by none other than Jay Allen of the Broken Spoke at County Line. We headed out 79 to a functioning ranch for some good eats paired with barrel racing and roping. Thanks to everyone who joined us, hope you had a great time.

On Monday, Michael started the day with the Legends Ride from Deadwood to the Buffalo Chip. The ride included some celebs such as Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and Lorenzo Lamas from the show Renegade. Despite some wrong turns, Michael got some great shots seated backwards on the bike with Bob 'the rock' in the driver's seat. Special thanks to Danny Gray who hooked us up with a great parking spot. After the ride we regrouped at the studio to shoot bikes, but stayed too late as we hit all the traffic coming out of the Chip. We won't make that mistake again!

Today Michael's been on Main St. shooting all the action at the hub of Bike Week. Tonight is our reception and industry party for Rebel Rousers. I'll have some pix up soon, should be a great party!!

One last note, be sure to look for the December issue of Easyriders and V-Twin for all of Michael's Sturgis coverage.

2009 STURGIS, POST 1

Post by Steve Temple

I got my earliest start to Sturgis this year heading out of the house at 8 am and had a great trip up. My arrival, however, was saddened by news that Bruce Rossmeyer had passed from a motorcycle accident on his way to Sturgis. My heart felt condolences go out to his family.

After getting in and unloading all the artwork and photo equipment out of the trailer, I started building the studio for shooting bikes. A couple problems had to first be overcome, an a-frame was running right where with light was to go and the floor was sprinkled with hydraulic fluid from a forklift. The first problem we tackled was the light and the a-frame. Rerouting electrical conduit, the construction crew from the Buffalo Chip did a great and quick job 'notching' one of the trusses enough for me to raise our light the necessary amount and enable me to do something I thought was very cool, suspend our light from the adjacent trusses using tie-downs. As for the floor, it was decided the next day a roll of linoleum would be purchased to serve as a liner to keep the oil from seeping into our paper background and causing what Michael called, "major problems." At the same time, Rebel Rousers was taking shape next door. Many of the bikes and most of the wall art had arrived and Michael was directing traffic made up of eight and ten foot platforms that the bikes would sit on. It's a daunting task laying out a gallery, but Michael makes it look easy as though he is simply drawing from a vision securely in his mind. With the light in place running like a charm, and the gallery starting to look like a gallery, Michael and I headed to our temporary home at the Chip. Sleep was had under the green glow of mercury vapor lights through semi-transparent shades.

Woke up Friday morning full of vigor, the origin of which being a great mystery to me. Quietly I got ready, although it probably would have taken a small freight train to wake Michael through his ear plugs, blinders and sleep aid pills. Picked some wonderfully prepared pastries (donuts at the General Store) and went straight to work getting the studio a ready as possible for the linoleum to arrive. This iPod was hummin' and I was groovin' along as though the light stands were an extension of my hands putting themselves up in swift strokes. A few hours later Michael made his way to the gallery after a long deserved late morning. With coffee in hand, he quickly took command and the gallery was once again taking shape. At this point I'd like to send a big thanks to all those who have helped us the past 2 days, Michael and I both thank you for all the help. By the end of the day the gallery had been transformed, beautifully lit iconic bikes surrounded by movie posters and memorabilia hanging on the walls. All the hours, days and weeks of research, phone calls and emails has come to fruition in the form of Rebel Rousers. As for the studio, Jesse James' first Camel bike now sits in a beautifully lit stage awaiting Michael's creative vision.

Sunday we are off to Broken Spoke County Line for the Sugarbear/Lichter ride. Come on out and join us!