Chicago World of Wheels

‘FUEL YOUR FUTURE TOUR' ROLLS INTO
CHICAGO WORLD OF WHEELS

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Ohio Technical College (OTC), which was named the 2009 national School of the Year, is bringing its "Fuel Your Future" tour to Illinois. The OTC tour will feature airbrush artist Richard Markham and his "Evolution of Life" live airbrush show as well as several hot rods and live airbrush demonstrations. In addition to this show, Ohio Technical College will be having scholarship drawings, Matco Tool giveaways and a "Master/Student" Paint-Off.

Famed professional airbrush artist Richard Markham, who joined OTC's Custom Paint and Graphics program in June 2009, will headline the "Evolution of Life" live airbrush show.

The show features a completely customized 80' truck, which doubles as a mobile airbrush classroom as well as three custom painted and tricked out vehicles. The tour will visit The Chicago World of Wheels at the Donald E. Stevens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL beginning March 5, 2010 and lasting thru March 7, 2010.

The truck has up to 28 seats to practice airbrush techniques, which visitors will learn from Markham. Beside the attraction of the "Live" airbrushing of the exterior of the truck, the public will be welcomed to walk up inside the vehicle and be treated to an incredible audio and visual experience. While inside, visitors will be treated to a custom painted masterpiece of artwork which adorns the entire inside of the truck. In addition to black lights, surround sound music and a video presentation, the public will see a smoke breathing dragon and various other works of airbrush artwork. This is truly a sight to behold and an attraction in and of itself. The truck will also transport Markham's 2000 Toyota Celica Ice Car and two custom hotrods; a 1934 Ford Hemi 100 known as The Devil's Ride and a tribute car to the 1977 "Pumping Iron" movie; a 1932 Ford Deuce.

OTC staff and Rich will address the audience on the various specialized training programs available at OTC and then Markham will conduct a live airbrush demonstration showing off various techniques including realistic fire, skulls, marble, brushed aluminum and more. Students will also learn about OTC's extensive Custom Paint and Graphics program. The 12-week course teaches airbrushing, 3-D paint effects, exotic paint, chameleon colors, flames and pin-striping.

Students who attend OTC receive both classroom and hands-on training in a variety of automotive fields, from classic car restoration and collision repair to diesel and high performance and racing. For more information about these career paths and others offered by OTC, visit www.ohiotechnicalcollege.com.

About Richard Markham
Richard Markham has been airbrushing for 20 years. Completely self-taught, Markham started off with pencil sketching, cartooning, and eventually worked up to portraits and paintings. At 19 years old, Markham discovered the airbrush and has never turned back. His ability to produce high-quality, detailed work in limited time has evolved into a desire to teach others. He has created his own system and techniques to teach airbrushing to those who proclaim they "can't even draw a stick figure." Throughout his career, Markham has always explored his options as an airbrush artist. Some of his accomplishments include subcontracting for Six Flags New England, owning and operating his own chain of mall airbrush stores, featured articles in numerous magazines, and winning dozens of awards at car and truck shows. In recent years, Markham has been gaining recognition for his live airbrush demonstrations that he performs at car shows and high schools across the United States. Markham's work can be seen on his Web site at www.richardmarkham.com and his products can be purchased at www.ultima-airproducts.com.

About Tom Banks
Tom Banks provides airbrush graphics and custom paint on anything that will stay still long enough to paint! Whether it is a custom chopper, crotch-rocket, metric cruiser, car, truck, van or human - Tom "Big Daddy" Banks will take it to another level. Tom is self taught, as well as trained by the world renowned Airbrush artist, Richard Markham.....all to provide airbrush designs that are unique and in high demand. From classic designs to hardcore-in your-face schemes, dreams (or nightmares) will be brought to life. Award winning designs include;

Easyriders Magazine Rodeo Tour 2009 - 1st Place Ride in Bike Show, Artist of the Month - December 2008 in Airbrush Technique Magazine, 1st and 3rd Place at the Niles Expo Center Bike Show 2008, 1st Place May-June 2008 Airbrush Competition in Airbrush Technique Magazine, 1st and 2nd place, metric cruiser at Gatto's Harley Davidson Block Party 2008.

In addition, Tom is an airbrush demo artist for Ohio Technical College and spends much of time on the road and in high schools demonstrating the art of airbrushing and the career options for students in the field. Over the past 2 years, Tom has demonstrated at over 100 high schools to over 7,000 students. He has also appeared in dozens of Autorama, World of Wheels, and International Motorcycle Shows as a demo artist and charity auction artist.

Tom will be demonstrating at many of the shows and events during the "Fuel Your Future Tour."