Wild Wes Paintworks

This week we have Wes Adkins, AKA “Wild Wes” as our feature Artist. Wes is my former Boss and good friend. The first time I had seen his work at a car show in a small town in Ohio I was 17. I didn’t even know the guy, I just knew it was some of the best paint and custom work I had ever seen. Quality was better than the best and you could tell the guy was a perfectionist. After College I started working with Wes in his shop Wild Wes Paintworks, he taught me how to sling mud like a pro and perfect the art of body work and finishing. With big dreams and hard work we eventually got a great crew together and came to the bright lights of Vegas where Sin City Kustomz was born. For a few years we had built some gorgeous cars for some big name clients and had a hell of a good time doing it. We always had a car or 7 at SEMA and even won an award from Ford Motor Company for the Mickey Thompson truck we built. Last week Wes had came to Vegas for SEMA and I got him to pinstripe the ’53 while he was in town. Hope you enjoy! Go check out his work and go like his facebook page.

Bio: Hi, My name is Wes Adkins aka “Wild Wes.” I am a graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh where I earned an Associate Degree in Visual Communications. My background in painting started when I was a child. I worked for my father in his small paint shop, and in other painting services which you can read more here. There I learned the body and restoration trade while working by his side on many show cars and customs.

I began painting when I was only 12 years old with my fathers guidance. I perfected my skills and painted many award winning show cars by the time I was 18.If you are the one who loves painting then you can also try spray painting for that you can also refer some Paint Sprayer Reviews. Pinstriping and lettering are skills I taught myself with a lot of practice and some advice from other local pinstripers. I have gained experience in many areas over the last 25 years.

After graduating from A.I.P. in 1994 I immediately started my own business painting, pinstriping, and lettering. I worked out of my shop in East Canton, Ohio for about 10 years. The work began to spread across the country. I spent a few years traveling west to paint for other builders and landed in Las Vegas, Nevada. I was involved in building and painting many show cars for the SEMA show and decided to open a shop there. That is how Sin City Kustomz was born. After 3 successful years located at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, my crew and I decided it was time to return home to be near family and friends. I gained recognition nationwide and still travel to some of the best customizing shops in the country and paint for them.

My shop in Dover, Ohio is a small one where quality is always a priority. I give each job individual attention to achieve the best results possible. I take great pride in my work and have a love for hot rods, bikes, and art. I enjoy what I do and I am always striving to be one of America’s best customizers.

Find his work here:

wildwespaintworks.com

facebook.com/Wild-Wes-Paintworks

Some of his past work below.

Awards

2011 Gold Award, Canton Hot Rod and CustomBike Show,
Jerry Cole—1954 Jeep Willys

2010 Meguiar’s Magnificent Masterpiece, Goodguys Show,
Jerry Cole—1954 Jeep Willys

2010 Best of Show, Troyer’s 5th Annual Car Show,
Jerry Cole—1954 Jeep Willys

2006 Ford Outstanding Project Vehicle, SEMA,
Mickey Thompson—2006 Pro Street Ford F-150

2004 Outstanding Paint, Buckeye Ramblin Rods Run & Roast,
Pat MgGinnis—1934 Ford Coupe

2004 Best Appearing, Open Body, IHRA Division III Bracket Finals
Rubino Racing—2002 Corvette

2003 Best Appearing for the Season, Norwalk Raceway Park
Gary Scmidt—2003 Cavalier

2003 Best Appearing, Quaker City Raceway, IHRA Points Meet
Gary Scmidt—2003 Cavalier

2002 Best Appearing for the Season, Norwalk Raceway Park
Rubino Racing—2002 Corvette

2002 Best Paint, Cleveland Auto Rama
Rubino Racing—2002 Corvette

2002 First Place in Competition Class, Cleveland Auto Rama
Rubino Racing—2002 Corvette

2001 Best Appearing for the Season, Norwalk Raceway Park
Scott Wasko—Chevrolet Lumina

2001 Best Appearing for the Season, Deerfield Speedway
Danny Watson—Micro-Sprint

1999 Best Appearing for the Season, Norwalk Raceway Park
Bill Whitmire—Ford Thunderbird

1999 Best Appearing, Quaker City Raceway, NHRA Points Meet
Ron Selway—1967 Corvette

Along with multiple awards, my work has been seen in and on covers of many magizines. It has also been on television featured on local news and even the Travel Channel.