Monday 9 March 2015

He’s a talented motorcycle artist – and now I go behind the canvas to discover more.

I met a young artist called Albie Espinola last month and was blown away by his work. He is concentrating on painting riders and their motorcycles and he creates pictures that are very impressive.

I chatted with him and learnt how he has turned his dream into reality.

Aside from Albie’s artistic abilities – he’s also a dab hand with videography, as he creates time-lapse films of himself painting his works. Here are a couple of his paintings and some of you may recognise the rider and bike in the second video:









Born in London, Albie has been painting since he was a child. Now in his early thirties, his love for painting has led him to leave his job so he can pursue his dreams as an artist. Albie says: “Logically it’s a crazy thing to do, to leave a job but in my illogical mind, it makes perfect sense. I have brought two of my life’s passions together, motorcycles and painting, and now I’m working towards making a living out of selling my artwork."

There are seven layers of paint in an Albie Espinola painting. He tells me the basic composition is done using two layers of Gesso paint. A light wash of colour is then painted over the dried Gesso where he then uses 3 layers of oil paints to bring the painting to life. Each painting can take 4 to 5 days each to complete.




Albie currently rides a custom Harley-Davidson Sportster. He started riding on a Vespa ten years ago and then fell in love with riding motorcycles.

He found inspiration to paint motorcycles when he saw the work of Dave Mann, the California-based artist, who celebrated motorcycles and the biker lifestyle through his paintings. Albie wants to do the same. He says: “I love the narratives in Dave Mann’s pictures. People designed bikes based on his art and to me, that’s incredible.”

I predict Albie will become a famous motorcycle artist, so get in quick to get your own custom made painting. Before he puts paintbrush to canvas Albie personally meets with each of his clients, so he can get to you and your bike. He takes photos of you and explores how you want to be portrayed in your painting. He can travel to anywhere in the UK and hopes to make regular trips to the U.S. to paint.

Please visit www.albieespinola.co.uk to find out more about Albie and his artwork.  I predict he will become a very well-known artist.

18 comments:

The City Mouse in the Country said...

Cool. Thanks for sharing.

redlegsrides said...

A very talented artist indeed....you look quite studly in the painting.

MWG1 said...

Albie is a very talented artist, he not only paints you and your bike, he manages ti recreate the essence and feeling from his subjects. He paints future heirlooms of a moment in your biking life, he is awesome.

Gary France said...

You are welcome Robert.

Gary France said...

Charlie - what do you mean "...in the painting". LOL.

Gary France said...

Mark - You are spot on about the essence of his subjects and future heirlooms. I believe that is you in one of the pictures, the one with the orange background. Nice picture.

Trobairitz said...

Wow, he does incredible work.

Awesome painting of you and Amelia. He captured you quite nicely.

MWG1 said...

Yup I was his first subject, love his work. :-)

Gary France said...

Trobairitz - Isn't he amazing! All that in just 4 days. I can draw a stick man..... badly.

Unknown said...

Too cool. Just - too - cool.

Thank you for sharing Albie and his work with us.

Oz said...

Great talent! Very nice.

Dar said...

Very cool!

WooleyBugger said...

Wow, great find Gary. Wonder what he charges and with our great powers perhaps he can get a gig with someone like...Cycle source magazine. Would that be bitchin awesome or what.

VStar Lady said...

Wow, especially great to see his video bring the painting to life.

Gary France said...

Wooley - He charges from £900 ($1300) for a four-day painting. The affordability of that will depend on the person paying, but in my view, for something that will last a lifetime, that is good value. I don't have too many contacts at US bike magazines / websites, but if you can use anyone you know, I am sure he will greatly appreciate it.

Gary France said...

VSL - I think the video is what make the painting so exciting - we rarely get to see a painting as it progresses, so that just makes it more interesting.

Unknown said...

nice

Ammy, Motorcycle Art said...

A really talented artist....I simply say wow