|
Brad Scadden for President!
By Gary Costa
With World Renown Motorsports Designer Brad Scadden
Brad Scadden has worked tiresly to become one of the premier motorsports designers in the country. Brad talks about his humble beginning's, and also talks to us about what it meant to him, to see his best friend, Jason Statler live out his dream and be crowned the 2004 Golden State Challenge Series Champion. Brad also speaks candidly about who his hero's are and what they mean to him. Let's take a ride with one of the guys from Yak Graphics who can make everything from your shirts to designing your race car.
Hey Brad, I can't begin to thank you enough for granting me this interview!
Scadden: Hey, thank you Gary for showing interest in doing this interview with me!
I would like to offer my personal congratulations on your daughter's birth....
Scadden: Hey, thanks buddy. My son Brandon is doing great too. I love them both with all that I have. I'm a very lucky and proud father.
OK, let's do this! You've been designing shirts for how long now?
Scadden: Personally as well as professionally for 21-years now.
Wasn't your father influential in your Motorsports career?
Scadden: Yes, very much so. My father Jon worked for, and was a crew-chief for Howard Kaeding back in the day. To this day, they remain the best of friends.
As a kid were you already drawing the "cool" pictures in class?
Scadden: Well, hell, I thought that they were cool! But, the teachers thought that I should be paying more attention in class, rather than draw on the desks! (Laughs) But the other kids seemed to dig it!
Who was the first person that recognized your talent, and acted on it?
Scadden: Both of my parents. I would always receive art supplies as well as toys for gifts. But then my dad mentioned my name to Kelly Telfer.
Share with us about your shot with Motorsports designer Kelly Telfer of O.Tee Shirts…
Scadden: Sure. That's where all the creativity was shaped I would say. My dad had a chat with Kelly one day at Kaeding Performance. He told Kelly that he should check out my work. He told him that I was a pretty good little artist. So I ran into Kelly one day, and he said for me to come over to his shop sometime and bring my work to him, and he'd have a look. I was like, OK! Kelly was the best. And he is still an amazing artist and a great friend.
When you did get your break with Kelly, what were some of your duties?
Scadden: Humbling to say the least! I was the new guy, so I was the grunt. I paid close attention to the artists that were there, and I really tried to learn quietly, not wanting to be a distraction. But, let's jut say that the bathrooms were pretty clean all of the time! (Laughs). After bugging Kelly for about six months, he gave me my opportunity!
-A beautiful design that Brad created commemorating friend JasonStatler's 2004 Championship.
As you reflect back on your days at O.Tee Shirts, what shirt at this point in your career was your most cherished and why?
Scadden: Wow, that's a tough one Gary. I would have to say that it would be my first design. That first design was for Kings Speedway, and it was for an enduro race that was held there. I still have the actual drawing too! (Laughs) It was hideous, but I have always kept it to remind me of where I started. I'm also extremely proud having the opportunity to do Brent Kaeding's shirts in my 'early years'. BK is still the best, and with the history that my family has with the Kaeding's, it was just that much more special to me. It was a huge step and opportunity for me personally as well as professionally.
-Another beautiful Brad Scadden design done for 13-time GSC Champion Brent Kaeding.
Now you're at YAK Graphics located in San Jose, California. How did you and Tony Iacobitti get hooked up?
Scadden: Well, we were working on Jason Statler's car in Watsonville one day, and Tony said he was thinking of opening up his own deal. He said,"Hey Brad! I think I'm going to open my own deal, and hire you. We are going to kick ass, and do vinyl graphics!" I was like OK, let's do it! And 14-years later, we are still layin' it down!
YAK has been known to produce some really striking graphics. What sets you guys apart from your competitors?
Scadden: I'd like to say that we both try to pay attention to detail. I like to design a car, logo or a shirt as if I'm a fan watching these sexy machines roar around a race track. I like to take in account how it will look up close or far away. I also like to envision how a sponsor is going to see their logo as well. But, at the end of the day, the public will tell you if they like someone's car or not!
Let's say I wanted Brad Scadden to design a shirt for me. Give me an example of a conversation you and myself would have, so that you could fire off a really nice shirt for me...
Scadden: Well, I would pull information from a customers head as much as possible. I try to see what they're after first. After that, I just get rolling on it. The best thing is just to say to myself, "you're the artist, so make something cool for me". Then I would!
You guys produced the graphics for Donny Schatz' mount. That car is considered the prettiest by many folks in the racing community…
Scadden: Yeah, I really liked how that one came out. I'm assuming that you're talking about the tribal design.
Yes I am. That was a beautiful piece!
Scadden: Thank you. A lot of people have tried to emulate it as well, which is flattering. Donny said for me to just go for it, and at that time he wanted something fresh. I started rolling with it, and after 3 revisions later, it was done. I do get a lot of compliments on that one. I am just happy that people liked it. And of course that the public voted it #1 in the country! Yes, we are very proud of that.
-Brad celebrating the 2004 GSC Championship with Jason Statler and Mark Bristow.
Explain how you do graphics for a team that's on the other side of the Country?
Scadden: It really is a lot of word of mouth. Brent Kaeding has been pretty instrumental with pushing us to a lot of guys. Especially into Australia, which is really cool!
How long does it normally take from start to finish designing a race car?
Scadden: It really depends on my mood! It usually takes a few days, when I get going.
What are some of the things that you're looking at before you tackle a design?
Scadden: Overall appearances, color, wheel color, frame color, etc. I envision how the sponsor will look into the design. That's just the basics. Obviously there is a lot more to it, but hell, I can't give all of my secrets up! (Laughs)
If I said that you could only design one last shirt, who would it be and why?
Scadden: Probably a Howard Kaeding Classic shirt. I have never done a shirt for him. Howard along with my dad, have been my heroes. And I can't draw a shirt for pops, but yes, I'd really like to do one for 'HK'. So now we need a promoter to name a race after the best racer that I have watched through the years, and I'd be honored to be the guy that does the shirt!
- (L-R) Howard Kaeding, Jon Jr., Brad, and father Jon
It must be pretty awesome to be able to see your work not only on a weekly basis, but in magazines, racing papers, as well as the racing websites too...
Scadden: Well, it is cool, as long as it is positive! But when you put yourself out there, you can't please everyone. But yes, it is cool to see all the stuff we have designed in the magazines, papers, websites, etc. The positive feedback is an awesome feeling!
Let's say that for example, when you see a shirt you designed being worn by a fan at the race track, what feeling does that give you?
Scadden: I am very self-critical. I stare at it like I've never seen it before. And I say to myself, ahhh shit, I wished that I did this or that to the design. My name isn't selling the shirt though; I'm just honored to be part of it.
In addition to being an artist, in your spare time you've spun some wrenches for former Golden State King of California Champion-Jason Statler. Can you explain that relationship?
Scadden: Most definitely! To me, Jason Statler is a true racer. Jason and I became friends along time ago. I had a blast working with Jason and the team. I stopped wrenching full time to concentrate on my artwork, and get serious. But then I decided to go back out again for one more year and help out. It turned out that we won the GSC championship that year! It was a kickass feeling to see a true friend accomplish something so deserving. To be a part of it was just amazing. Jason and I talk to each other just about everyday. He was also the best man at my wedding. In my eyes, they don't come much better than Jason Statler. He is a true friend, and will always be one of my best friends.
Race cars are not the only thing you design correct? You also do helmets!
Scadden: Hell, I'll design anything someone wants me to! I just wished I could paint some of the things that I design. The painters are just so talented. Right now, I am working on designing a goalie mask for the San Jose Sharks.
Please feel free to list any other accomplishments that I may have missed...
Scadden: The accomplishments that I'm most proud of are my 2-year-old son and my 2-month-old daughter. Anything else to me is irrelevant. I thank the public for acknowledging all of our work of course. But really, I just try to be a kick ass loving dad, just like mine is to me, and I will be fine.
Who are some of the people that have been influential to you in regards to your career and why....
Scadden: Professionally, Kelly Telfer, Mike Horsely from 'Mike Signs'. They taught me a lot, and I value what they say tremendously. In life, it would be my dad. He can see what you're worth, before you can.
-Brad designed this popular shirt worn by many fans. It features California hot shoe, Tim Kaeding.
Thanks again Brad, and without a doubt, we may not see you, but we'll see the fantastic work turned out by YAK Graphics at a track near us!
Scadden: Gary thanks again! And thank you for taking the time to write this about me. I am kind of the guy 'behind the scenes', and it's nice to be recognized every once in a while. Keep up the cool articles, and thanks for "Interrogating" me! Hey, cool logo by the way. I think you should print up some shirts with that! (Brad made the Interrogation logo)
Be sure to check out YAK Graphics on the web or call Brad direct at: (408) 920-0801 for all of your Motorsports needs www.YakGraphics.com
[email protected]
|
.jpg){kind=icon}
