James Owens - Featured Hot Rod Artist Everybody could use a little more creativity to fuel their lives – so we’re kicking off a new feature here at MyRideisMe! In our Artist Toolbox series, we’ll introduce you to a new hot rod inspired artist and bring you a tutorial from the artist themselves. So not only will you get the opportunity to learn about some fantastic, creative geniuses – but you might learn a thing or two as well! Some people out there hear the word “art” and think of fancy-schmancy galleries and a bunch of stuffed shirts. Others hear “low brow art” and assume it’s something the wife wouldn’t allow hanging in the house. No matter what you think of hot rod art, you’re in for a surprise! The artists we’ll spotlight in the Artist Toolbox series create high-class, fun, and hot-rod inspired pieces of beauty. They put the same sort of grit and heart into their works of art as we all put into our cars. This month’s feature artist is James Owens. Originally out of Detroit, James has single-handedly coined the phrase “car noir.” Art should...

Learn How To Paint Like Hot Rod Artist James Owens The Dame Wore Red is the first in MyRideisMe's new feature, Artist Toolbox. Read on for tips and secrets how James Owens makes his car noir art. _______________________________________________________________ The Dame Wore Red By James OwensShe sat there mocking me. Her blank stare made me feel like it was my first time. But I’ve been down this alley before and I learned something every time, usually the hard way. Her kind can strike terror into the hearts of grown men. Her milk-white skin was almost blinding, taunting, teasing me till I couldn’t think straight. She sat there on my easel thinking she had me right where she wanted me. A canvas is like a dame, you treat ‘em right and they’re a little bit of heaven right here on Earth. You treat ‘em wrong and brother you find yourself in a mess. I guess the big difference is, I’m usually trying to put something ON a canvas. My name is Owens, I paint pictures. It ain't rocket science. Any yegg can learn it. But not everyone is nutty enough to...

Custom Car LED's -Please don't do it! It’s bright pretty colors.  It uses an iPhone as a control interface.  You can program colors and presets.  It may be cool in another setting, but is it cool in your car? MEA Mobile’s new lighting kit, iGloLEDset is being marketed to the custom car market.  According to their promo text “Users can wave their phones in the air and control a 16 to 50 foot strip of 120 to 360 lights,” but when you wave out your car window, you want people to wave back, not raise their hands to block their eyes. What it is: The kit comes with a 16.4’ strip with 120 full color lights, a Wi-Fi controller unit, and a power supply which can be plugged into an optional inverter.  You can also order additional strips which can be chained together. What it does: You can segment the strip into eight sections, control the lights in real time using the accelerometer or your finger, program presets, control the speed, create solid colors or patterns and pause the patterns. I caught up with Bruce Seymour from MEA Mobile...