P// SARAH EMMA SMITH
First up in this years VC X BELL custom helmet project meet the awesome graffiti artist and illustrator Patia Kostolowska!
Currently based in sunny ol’ Huddersfield, Patia is an awesome graffiti artist / skate and motorcycle obsessive who works in spray paint, stencilling and hand illustration to create absolutely rad artworks!
Patia’s amazing work has graced everything from skateboards and murals to motorcycle fuel tanks and features everything from aliens to mermaids
Patia’s custom painted Bell Moto-3 helmet design has completely knocked our socks off! Its so freaking detailed
Meet Patia, follow her on instagram at @patia.dk and check out her kick ass mermaid inspired “RAD” custom painted BELL MOTO-3 below!
AND DON’T FORGET!…
All 4 of the Bell custom painted helmets are up for grabs at this years sold out Camp VC event where we’ll be raffling them off! So make sure you grab a ticket onsite to be in with a chance to bag one!!!
Hey Patia! Where are you from originally and where do you live now?
I am from Krakow, Poland and currently live in Huddersfield, England
What first got you into painting?
I was painting and drawing a lot when I was a kid, then I remember attending some extra drawing and painting courses in my teens. I would draw now and then but it wasn’t consistent. I knew I love art and motorcycles and dreamed to combine those two one day. I undertook mechanical classes but quit that and finally did a diploma in interior design at the art school, but still wasn’t sure where I was going. I had a complete lack of self-confidence and was told all my life that you can’t be successful as an artist. So, when I left my country to study in the UK, I started listening to myself more and it wasn’t until I finally bought my first motorcycle and customized it a bit for my final major project at uni. That’s when I first painted a fuel tank and exhibited my bike at the final show, which I can’t believe I managed to do, with a lot of help from other people. Also, while working on my bike, I got myself into skateboarding and that’s how I first painted mine and friend’s skateboards.
How would you describe your style of work?
I think it went from fine line black and white illustration towards colorful comic, stencil graffiti style. Depending on a project it’s usually a digital illustration or a paint job, but I feel like I want to focus more on painting and explore more techniques.
What do you love the most about having such a hands on job?
The fact that you can create something with your hands feels amazing. There is something about working with a particular object, materials and tools that gives so much joy. Maybe it’s being in that zone, feeling connected and away from your phone or computer that makes you feel good, happy, and relaxed. A raw paint and a brush in your hand it’s a totally different experience then working digitally. And I feel like there is a different level of satisfaction.
Where do you most get your inspiration from?
Daily life, funny situations, conversations with people, motorcycle and skateboarding culture. Wherever I go, I like to pay attention to things around me, whether it’s nature or an old sign with some cool typography.
What object would you love the opportunity to paint that you haven’t painted before?
A mural was something I’ve been thinking about for a while, and I have a commission coming for September, which I am so excited about! I did paint a van, but this wall is going to be way bigger. There are so many things I would love to paint, it could be a mountain bike’s frame, an industrial or vintage piece of furniture or even a small airplane haha the last idea is inspired with my best friend who’s a pilot. For now, she has a license for the lightweight aircraft and she’s training to become a captain of a passenger plane. How amazing is that!
P/ SARAH EMMA SMITH
You work a lot with stencilling and spray paint. What inspired you to start out creating art in this medium?
For years I have admired graffiti wherever I would go, and wanted to try spray painting for so long, but for some reason I never had the guts to pick it up. First time I used the spray paint, was either for my Ducati’s fuel tank or the first two skateboards I mentioned before. So basically, it was customizing my motorcycle and restoring mine and friend’s skateboard that got me into it. First time that I have used the stencils was on the next commissioned longboard project. I just wanted to achieve that smooth matt finish with a detailed design and contrast it with the glossy outlines of the enamel paint, so the only option to get that with spray paints was using masking tape and stencils.
What has been your favorite project you’ve worked on and why?
It is really hard to choose. I absolutely loved working on this Bell helmet, because my biggest dream apart from riding a motorcycle was to create art centered around that culture. Especially creating art for female bikers! I have never had any female friends riding bikes! Same with painting my fuel tank, it was the first motorcycle part I have customized. Also painting all the skateboards and the Skate It Yourself’s camper van, were sick opportunities as well. I just can’t pick one of them :)
How does your life inspire your work?
The way I love motorcycles, the craftsmanship of the custom scene, getting involved in skateboarding, meeting awesome people and having extraordinary friends, I think are the core influences on my life.
Tell us all about your awesome Bell Moto 3 helmet design!
I had this design of a mermaid, which comes from a funny story, that I once painted on a longboard. I thought to redesign it and ended up with this mermaid raising from waves, which were my favorite part from one of the other skateboard’s design I did. Once I was happy with the placement on the helmet, I drew the rest of the elements around it in that theme. When I looked at it, I thought it has it all, a rising mermaid which can symbolize women empowerment, where motorcycling does exactly that, the background scene gives a sense of freedom, and the comic style adds humor to it.
What materials did you use to create the helmet?
Montana spray paints, 1 shot enamel paints, masking tape and a low tack masking film for cutting out stencils.
What was the process you used to paint the helmet?
Once I had a refined sketch, I started cutting out the stencils. First layer were the waves and after spray painting that, I moved to another stencil which was the mermaid and then the rest of the elements. When I have finished the spray painting, I applied a few light coats of a matt sealant. Then I added details with the first layer of enamel paint and the second final one was painting the outlines.
How long did it take you to create?
I was working on it on and off, but I think in overall it took a solid week.
P// SARAH EMMA SMITH
P// SARAH EMMA SMITH