I'm a life-long hot rodder and I first recall seeing pinstriping in the little car mags. Ed Roth was an early influence. I started lettering and striping when I was in 8th grade. One summer I watched, enthralled, as a crew from Beverly Outdoor painted a Canfield's Beverage wall in my neighborhood. I knew immediately that I wanted to paint signs as a career. I began an apprenticeship through Local 830 in Chicago starting at the prestigious H.M. Witt & Co., noted for their gold leaf work and ultimately earned my A-card at Signs by Slack. I consider myself a sign painter who can stripe. Steve Kafka introduced me to another Tom Kelly at a car show in Davenport, Iowa. I knew he was Bud "The Baron" Crozier's grandson and ex-partner of Ed Roth but never thought I'd get to meet him.