I've had a fascination with cars and photography almost as long as I can remember. Though I am creative, I nearly flunked out of Art 1 in high school. As far as the director of the art department was concerned, I needed to re-take Art 1 in order to advance to Art 2.
Then, a few years later, a friend got me a copy of Paint Shop Pro. I think we were only on Version 2 at the time, but it was fun! I loved creating and retouching photos, and started getting artsy with it. Well, I got out of practice, but continued to take photographs at every single event I went to.
I got married in April of 2013 and about a year later, was given a box of photographs and their corresponding picture CDs that my mother had saved at home. I was trying very hard to get a job with a non-profit group as a graphic designer, and started brushing up on my Paint Shop and other graphic skills. I even started drawing again (Take THAT, high school art department!). I didn't get the job, but I found myself getting more and more creative with the photographs I had taken years before.
That's around the time my brother started recruiting people to donate things to his fundraiser he held in October 2014. Since the fundraiser was being held by his American Legion MC, and I had started school to be a motorcycle technician, I decided to focus on bikes for the artwork I would donate. I went around to area dealerships and took pictures, and edited those pictures, had them printed, and donated them to the auction. Two of the pictures - the Indian Motorcycles piece and the Triumph Motorcycles piece - are pictured below. (I am a bit paranoid to post the Harley Davidson piece due to licensing issues). All three pieces were sold at the auction, and several people approached me, telling me I should do more.
Then, a few years later, a friend got me a copy of Paint Shop Pro. I think we were only on Version 2 at the time, but it was fun! I loved creating and retouching photos, and started getting artsy with it. Well, I got out of practice, but continued to take photographs at every single event I went to.
I got married in April of 2013 and about a year later, was given a box of photographs and their corresponding picture CDs that my mother had saved at home. I was trying very hard to get a job with a non-profit group as a graphic designer, and started brushing up on my Paint Shop and other graphic skills. I even started drawing again (Take THAT, high school art department!). I didn't get the job, but I found myself getting more and more creative with the photographs I had taken years before.
That's around the time my brother started recruiting people to donate things to his fundraiser he held in October 2014. Since the fundraiser was being held by his American Legion MC, and I had started school to be a motorcycle technician, I decided to focus on bikes for the artwork I would donate. I went around to area dealerships and took pictures, and edited those pictures, had them printed, and donated them to the auction. Two of the pictures - the Indian Motorcycles piece and the Triumph Motorcycles piece - are pictured below. (I am a bit paranoid to post the Harley Davidson piece due to licensing issues). All three pieces were sold at the auction, and several people approached me, telling me I should do more.
I was having fun with it, and people were loving my art. Several people suggested joining an art guild and selling at local galleries. At the time of this website being launched, I have not joined an art guild, but I am looking into it!
Early in 2015 I was accepted to show my art at the Lonestar Round Up car show in Austin. As my craft grows, I will update this site, my blog, the galleries, and the calendar of events. If you are local to the Austin area, and would like me to photograph your car, truck, bike, or anything else that comes to mind, don't hesitate to contact me! I love a new challenge, and I'm always as surprised as everyone else when a piece is finished.
Thank you for taking the time to look at Trixie13 and tell your friends!
ML Strickland,
Owner/Photographer/Artist
Early in 2015 I was accepted to show my art at the Lonestar Round Up car show in Austin. As my craft grows, I will update this site, my blog, the galleries, and the calendar of events. If you are local to the Austin area, and would like me to photograph your car, truck, bike, or anything else that comes to mind, don't hesitate to contact me! I love a new challenge, and I'm always as surprised as everyone else when a piece is finished.
Thank you for taking the time to look at Trixie13 and tell your friends!
ML Strickland,
Owner/Photographer/Artist