“Ignore the mess of my working space, come in and look at my artwork” ~ Jaz
Editing by : Kenny / TuckLoong
Photography by : Kenny
Published : 22nd August 2007
Venue : Pandan Indah, Taman Komersial
DE : Design Enterprise
J : Jaz
DE : Mind to share with us how does Jaz Airbrush came about?
J : I graduated in 1997 as an illustrator in a local college. As we all know, that was the year we face an economy recession. Which meant job was hard to come by for a fresh graduate like me. Thus, my first job was as a lorry driver and pay was pretty as low as RM 300. Few years later, I meet an old classmate during a gathering and as we talk, my classmate decided to take me to see a “funny car” show. From there I was inspired by airbrush painting on vehicle. Me and my friend called Simon (who is also his business partner) then venture into airbrush and stickers design on vehicle and form a company known as Jaz Airbrush.
Jaz Airbrush has been in operation for more then 1 year and they are located at Pandan Indah. During this short period Jaz Airbrush has created more than 20 pieces of airbrush illustration on vehicle.
DE : What influenced you in choosing airbrush as the main medium of expression?
J : During my studies, I often used brushes. My first airbrush artwork was on my own car. I did a few illustrations and later realize that to show is work and potential, then I needed a “real car”, real client.
DE : How did people react to your airbrush art? Is primarily your customers are car enthusiasts or art lovers?
J : Jaz Airbrush clients are car and art lovers. Car lovers are people who are willing to spend lots of time and money on their car (either by changing, adding or modding their car) and art lovers are people who are passionate about design, have strong design sense and a love to decorate the outlook their car. Therefore, they come to Jaz Airbrush to get their vehicle painted. Paint work is done not only on the exterior of the vehicle but also the interior and engine compartment. Jaz Airbrush clients look for Jaz Airbrush to “dress up” their ride.
Car and art lovers are also categorised as “car freak”. They seek perfection and difference no only on performance but also the design or outlook of their vehicle. They are willing to spend about RM 20k just to airbrush their ride! 90% of “freaks” in the “car freak” group have intentions to join car competition.
DE : How to win at car show competition? any requirement? any tips?
J : The more changes are done on the outlook of the car, the higher changes that the car will win. So to give some examples of the extreme done by “car freaks”. From modify their car to 6 wheels or adding an aeroplane engine to the rear of the car (do note that these cars are actually illegal on the road and can only be seen at car shows). “Car freaks” will mod their cars till you cannot recognise the origin of the car.
DE : What is the difference of applying airbrush on different type of material compared to canvas?
J : The most challenging thing to do when airbrushing on car (comparing to airbrushing on paper) is to flow with the curving shape of a car. The other medium / material which has the same challenge is airbrushing on human figure. I can share some steps taken when airbrushing on cars. The surface is first sprayed then he starts airbrushing on the car. Once the airbrushing work is completed, a clear coating is applied to protect the artwork. Car paint is used and not normal paints used during school days! The same goes with stickers design. Initial art loves starts dressing up their cars with stickers design. As they become more passionate about it, a car lover then starts to airbrush their car.
DE : Do you recall of the most memorable moment that you had since you started Jaz Airbrush?
J : When ask me about the most memorable moment since starting Jaz Airbrush, that it’s when my clients win awards during car show, especially under extreme car mod category, and “As long as you have any airbrush the car will be under extreme category”.
DE : How long would it take to complete one artwork from scratch?
J : Once the car have been heavily mod from the engine compartment, sound system (car entertainment system ‘ICE’) and the physic outlook, the last stage is painting and airbrushing. This stage (painting and airbrushing) normally takes about 2 months to complete the artwork.
DE : What is creativity to you?
J : To me, creativity is to be able to see the finish work and the taking pride of my work. It the satisfaction of it!
Other than that, it’s producing award winning works and gaining clients trust. I current project is working on a Honda EK 2 door which he aims to win this year klautosaloon (www.klautosalon.com) competition. The winner will get to exhibit their car in Japan.
DE : Up to now, which work that you are most proud of?
J : The machine which I called “sexy suki” is my most proud work. The car belongs to a Malay owner from Melacca. “Sexy Suki” was featured on the front cover of Otomania September 2007 issue. Other favourites of my artwork are Pirates Lady, The Nightmare before Christmas, Galaxy, Ayumi Hamasaki and lots more.
DE : From your opinion, what makes a good airbrush artwork?
J : I have mastered the skill and theory of drawing and airbrushing, now I testing a new technique on style. It is constantly getting the latest paint from suppliers and mixes them to get certain effect like gold dust. If a car meet with an accident, it does not need to repaint the entire car bonnet but get it weld back and repaint at the required section.
DE : Are you satisfied with the current achievement?
J : ‘Not yet! I keep trying to improve and upgrade myself with new skills. I want to tell people, we Malaysian can make it in the international market when it comes to airbrushing. I constantly come out with new style and technique, as people like to get ideas and are inspired from my work. Take a look at the image below. This visual can be seen only at certain angle. Amazing right!”
Airbrush Air I was ranked 2nd place after an American at this website (www.abc.com). To me this is a good beginning for myself. I was ranked 1st before but was too busy then with work and did not have the time to upload the work.
DE : What can’t you live without?
J : The main items which I cannot live without is his work, “Something I like to do and can earn for living”.
DE : Is there is a place that you have always wanted to go?
J : I always wanted to go is Japan. “I want to see and do some research on their car styling”. Australia is the 2nd place that I wished to go , in there I wish to improve my airbrush technique and see more incredible work by my own eye, rather I watch all the pictures.
DE : A word to our readers?
J : A speacial message to all the readers “Asia air brush artist from Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia skills are par with American and Japan. Do not under-estimate on the quality of skills and workmanship from our striving local industry, which has since drastically improved”.
Finally, I also hope all local air brush talent can unite to share and exchange knowledge. I wish to see all the “Car lover” treat the competition just a way to share the car idea and happiness on the competition, not treat it as a challenging people.
