Our people: Kustom fit

Rick Mayo is an artist whose roots extend back to a small town in Maine where his drawings on school property once gained the admiration of his classmates and approval of his teacher.

Benna Sayyed: CNJ staff photo

Rick Mayo uses an air brush to paint a design on a leather jacket at his shop in West Clovis.

His hometown school did not offer art class so, Mayo took it upon himself to study various forms of art and artists. In high school he sketched caricatures of his friends in his own comic strips.

Mayo has worked in the outdoors but his life's work is painting pinstripes, flames, odd creatures and all sorts of designs on cars, trucks and other objects. His work can be seen on different signs and vehicles around town.

When Mayo moved to Clovis 12 years ago he brought his company 8 Ball Engineering with him. He said he chose Clovis because he likes small towns, likes the people and the town is a good fit for him.

How did you get started as an artist? Comic books were my first influence. They were so bright and interesting looking. The imagery was very bold and I wanted to draw like that. I went to the library and studied everybody (artists), the realists, the impressionists, the surrealists, the abstract artists, the cartoon artists.

I guess I just cherry-picked the stuff that made me smile (laughing). I still do. As a kid I was already drawing the Disney characters and some of my favorite cartoon characters from television. I just thought everybody could do that.

When I got to school I realized that kids weren't drawing at my level. It was very weird because they would kind of look over my shoulder and the teacher would even ask "How do you know how to do that?" I didn't know what to say.

Courtesy photo

Rick Mayo at age 50 during a hiking trip in the Bigelow Mountain Range in Maine.

Can you describe the kind of art you do? I do kustom kulture art. It refers to the kind of artwork that comes out of such things as tattoo art and comic book art. Some of it is influenced by cultural idiom.

What is one of the best parts of your job? I'm challenged to invent something for a customer. They tell me. "I trust you. I want to know what you can come up with. This is kind of what I'd like to see but I don't know how to tell you."

Talking to them (customers) helps me get a feel for who they truly are and then I can kind of bring that out. This work isn't about me. The work is the most important thing.

Sadly in recent times there's been a spotlight put on this type of art. You see on TV with the chopper and hot rod shows and "Pimp My Ride." Some of these people have become little rockstars. I try not to follow that road. I think it should be about the work.

Tell me about when you earned your teacher's permission to draw on your desk in grade school? I used to draw on my desk in school. I did get in a little trouble around seventh- or eighth-grade. However, I had a teacher who sort of appreciated what I was doing.

I guess what I was doing was more advanced than what the other kids were doing and she gave me special permission to keep drawing on my desk (laughing).

She kind of wanted to see what I was going to come up with. I would draw this huge pad lock if I had my desk padlocked. I also drew cartoony embellishments and maybe some lettering. I was just caught up in the moment. I took a little heat for it but my teacher relented.

Courtesy photo

Rick Mayo at age 51 during a hiking trip in the Smokey Mountains in North Carolina.

When you're not painting a mural or applying woodgrain to a vehicle how do you like to spend your time? I like to enjoy my 1958 Chevy pickup. I get a big kick out of riding my motorcycle. It's a 79 Triumph. I try to find rural roads that have a little curve to them. Where I come from in Maine it's very mountainous. The roads are very hilly and curvy. I'm a climber. I like to go to the mountains and explore the canyons. New Mexico is a beautiful state. I take a lot of solo excursions. It gives me a nice spiritual connection with the planet. I need that. I like a little music too. I enjoy playing the drums with some friends. Sometimes we'll play at dances and different events. Occasionally I'll need a break at the shop. Between coats of paint, I'll turn the music up and play for a few minutes. It's relaxing.

— Compiled by CMI staff writer Benna Sayyed