A History of Paint and Pinstriping
Custom-built motorcycles are sometimes referred to as functional art pieces. The platform allows for layers of work and intricacy that are only limited by a builder’s abilities, time, and dedication. While we all love going over a bike and seeing the attention to detail that went into each piece, the paint job is typically what people notice upon first glance. Bold is often better if you’re looking to draw attention or express yourself in a unique way, and Jeremy Seanor of Lucky Strike Designs specializes in just that.
If you want to get an idea of Seanor’s paint style, just check out his personal Harley bagger he calls “Lucky No. 6”. It’s a wild, colorful work of art that he often takes on extended road trips around the country. We were fortunate to meet up at his garage before he left on one of these long trips down south.
How did you first get into painting?
Jeremy Seanor: I got started when I was really young doing hand-lettering and custom signs with my neighbor. We did a ton of plumber and mechanics trucks, but whenever the vinyl cutter came out, it kind of killed that business overnight. So, I had to figure something else out. One thing led to another, and I went from simple pinstriping and painting work to eventually laying out graphics and painting everything from the start to finish. I got my name out by doing helmets, motorcycles, and SEMA vehicles. Things snowballed from there, and Lucky Strike is now celebrating fifteen years in business.
Jeremy Seanor: I got started when I was really young doing hand-lettering and custom signs with my neighbor. We did a ton of plumber and mechanics trucks, but whenever the vinyl cutter came out, it kind of killed that business overnight. So, I had to figure something else out. One thing led to another, and I went from simple pinstriping and painting work to eventually laying out graphics and painting everything from the start to finish. I got my name out by doing helmets, motorcycles, and SEMA vehicles. Things snowballed from there, and Lucky Strike is now celebrating fifteen years in business.
You mentioned earlier that you also worked at PPG for some time. Did that contribute to your knowledge of painting?
JS: My career at PPG definitely helped me get better. We painted tons of stuff, and I was there for almost twelve years. I taught a lot of custom and restoration classes, showing others how to use PPG products correctly out of their training center in Allison Park. The experience contributed to my knowledge of what I call the nuts and bolts of paint. It’s the part of the business that a lot of people don’t pay attention to—the fact that you can’t use this product with that product and so on. I got to learn a lot of the finer details. Things changed when the pandemic hit, and here we are.
JS: My career at PPG definitely helped me get better. We painted tons of stuff, and I was there for almost twelve years. I taught a lot of custom and restoration classes, showing others how to use PPG products correctly out of their training center in Allison Park. The experience contributed to my knowledge of what I call the nuts and bolts of paint. It’s the part of the business that a lot of people don’t pay attention to—the fact that you can’t use this product with that product and so on. I got to learn a lot of the finer details. Things changed when the pandemic hit, and here we are.
Is there a meaning behind the Lucky Strike Designs business name?
JS: It’s actually inspired by my grandfather who was into motorcycles and smoked Lucky Strike cigarettes. He used to have these old tins that I kept my first sets of pinstriping brushes in.
JS: It’s actually inspired by my grandfather who was into motorcycles and smoked Lucky Strike cigarettes. He used to have these old tins that I kept my first sets of pinstriping brushes in.
Were there any artists who inspired your work?
JS: I grew up watching the hot rod world come around, so I was inspired by people like Ed Roth, Von Dutch, and Gene Winfield. Instead of sketching bowls of fruit in art class, I was that kid drawing Rat Fink hanging out of a hot rod. Over the years, I’ve painted a bunch of show cars that were similar to what I enjoyed looking at when I was younger. Now, with social media, it’s nice to see what everyone in the business is doing. I like to think that we’re all friends who bounce ideas back and forth, taking inspiration from each other.
JS: I grew up watching the hot rod world come around, so I was inspired by people like Ed Roth, Von Dutch, and Gene Winfield. Instead of sketching bowls of fruit in art class, I was that kid drawing Rat Fink hanging out of a hot rod. Over the years, I’ve painted a bunch of show cars that were similar to what I enjoyed looking at when I was younger. Now, with social media, it’s nice to see what everyone in the business is doing. I like to think that we’re all friends who bounce ideas back and forth, taking inspiration from each other.
Do you have a history with motorcycles?
JS: I’ve always been into motorcycles. I grew up riding dirt bikes in Latrobe before moving to Beaver County. I got my first, a Honda MR50, when I was five years old. My father and grandpap have always rode, too. As my interest in bikes grew, I realized I could mix my passion with making a living. I was always into art, so I just smashed all of that together when creating Lucky Strike Designs.
JS: I’ve always been into motorcycles. I grew up riding dirt bikes in Latrobe before moving to Beaver County. I got my first, a Honda MR50, when I was five years old. My father and grandpap have always rode, too. As my interest in bikes grew, I realized I could mix my passion with making a living. I was always into art, so I just smashed all of that together when creating Lucky Strike Designs.
Was there a pivotal moment that you went into motorcycles full-time or was it just something that happened naturally?
JS: A little bit of both. It mostly happened through word of mouth and dealing with customers who built bikes. A lot of builders don’t do their own paint work, so they kind of require guys with my skill and vice versa. I’m not one to build a bike from the ground up, but I have good friends and customers who would help me build a motor or whatever is needed. Doing the paint work keeps my interest in the art side of things.
JS: A little bit of both. It mostly happened through word of mouth and dealing with customers who built bikes. A lot of builders don’t do their own paint work, so they kind of require guys with my skill and vice versa. I’m not one to build a bike from the ground up, but I have good friends and customers who would help me build a motor or whatever is needed. Doing the paint work keeps my interest in the art side of things.
As far as motorcycles, is there a type or style that you prefer, and do you notice the industry swaying in any particular direction?
JS: I will pretty much paint anything. It doesn’t matter if it’s a bagger, chopper, bobber, or whatever. It’s just the canvas, and if a customer has a good idea, I’m interested. Right now, from my perspective, I feel there’s a growing interest in performance baggers. The comfort level is different, and we’re doing all sorts of things from crazy suspension to big motors but still able to ride them wherever. I’d also like to get more into the custom chopper culture.
JS: I will pretty much paint anything. It doesn’t matter if it’s a bagger, chopper, bobber, or whatever. It’s just the canvas, and if a customer has a good idea, I’m interested. Right now, from my perspective, I feel there’s a growing interest in performance baggers. The comfort level is different, and we’re doing all sorts of things from crazy suspension to big motors but still able to ride them wherever. I’d also like to get more into the custom chopper culture.
You paint a lot of helmets, is there something that you enjoy about that platform?
JS: I think it comes down to the point that a lot of customers might not want to spend several thousand dollars on a whole bike, but they feel comfortable with getting a helmet done that still has a lot of character and fits their personality. The helmet aspect gives free reign on ideas, subject matter, and colors. The sky’s the limit, and it’s a simple process of shipping me the helmet and letting me know what you’re thinking. A lot of people are treating them as pieces of collectible art. I’m doing one for a customer now that has had six helmets done over the last year and a half.
JS: I think it comes down to the point that a lot of customers might not want to spend several thousand dollars on a whole bike, but they feel comfortable with getting a helmet done that still has a lot of character and fits their personality. The helmet aspect gives free reign on ideas, subject matter, and colors. The sky’s the limit, and it’s a simple process of shipping me the helmet and letting me know what you’re thinking. A lot of people are treating them as pieces of collectible art. I’m doing one for a customer now that has had six helmets done over the last year and a half.
What is the typical turnaround time, and how could someone contact you?
JS: Usually, a helmet takes about a couple of weeks depending on colors and work involved. Baggers take anywhere from a month to two months. People can get in touch through my website and Instagram page. I’ll pretty much paint anything if the customer has a will for it.
JS: Usually, a helmet takes about a couple of weeks depending on colors and work involved. Baggers take anywhere from a month to two months. People can get in touch through my website and Instagram page. I’ll pretty much paint anything if the customer has a will for it.
Photo by John Jackson
Photo by John Jackson
Photo by John Jackson
Photo by John Jackson
JOHN JACKSON
