The following announcement was submitted by American Express.
American Express OPEN is all about helping small businesses grow. So this year at the SEMA Show we’re going to shine a spotlight on the latest rising stars in the industry and give them a stage to get noticed. These artists will gain exposure and recognition among their peers, thanks to the help of American Express OPEN.
Three artists will take the stage throughout the Show to design and paint a car hood using airbrush. On the last day of the Show, a panel of judges will determine the winner and award someone the title of the first-ever Rising Star of SEMA. Artists will be judged on originality, element of art and craftsmanship. These car hoods will be transformed into works of art right before your eyes.
Attendees, we invite you to stop by the AMEX OPEN booth in the silver lot, Booth #61169, to view the artists in action as they bring their airbrush designs to life on these car hoods. Attendees will have the opportunity to enter and win one of the three custom-painted hoods by the artists. Winners will be contacted on the last day of the Show. The AMEX OPEN booth will also feature two graffiti car hoods where you, the attendees, will have the opportunity to showcase your artistic ability and leave their mark on the AMEX OPEN Silver lot for 2011.
Artists
Matt Andrews is a freelance airbrush artist and the owner of Hypnotic Air, where he creates cutting-edge designs and artwork that will last for years to come. He is a native and resident of Phoenix and graduated from Arizona State University in 2001 with a bachelor of fine arts degree in drawing. After graduation, Andrews taught himself the fine use of airbrush. Practice led him to the career he has today, and he has been professionally painting since 2004.
Scott MacKay is the owner and operator of Thin Air GraFx in Amesbury, Massachusetts. For the past 22 years, he has worked almost exclusively with an airbrush, specializing primarily in motorcycle and automotive graphic design and paint for the past 11 years. MacKay is a winner of numerous awards, the latest being the 2010 House of Kolor Prestigious Painter Award.
Blake McCully is the owner/operator of Cross-Eyed Airbrushing. He earned a degree in graphic design at the Alberta College of Art & Design (ACAD) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and then attended the prestigious masters of illustration program at New York’s School of Visual Arts (SVA). This education provided McCully with graphic, illustration, painting, typography and advertising skills. He has added to his résumé by teaching his trade, and has trained four apprentices, but currently finds greater success in working solo.