Flames, Skulls and Skeletons Airbrushed by Killer Paint Artist at SEMA Show in Vegas

Mike Lavallee is an airbrush artist who started custom painting vehicles after someone asked him if he could paint fire on a car. He said yes, and the rest is history.  Now, he has a studio named Killer Paint in Snohomish, Washington.

2002 Ford F-150 Lightning shows of flames, skulls and skeleton designs of Killer Paint Airbrush Artist Mike Lavallee
2002 Ford F-150 Lightning shows of flames, skulls and skeleton designs of Killer Paint Airbrush Artist Mike Lavallee

K&N air filter is on supercharged 5.4 liter Ford F-150 engine
K&N air filter is on supercharged 5.4 liter Ford F-150 engine
“I don’t have a job,” said Lavalle. “But I do go to work every day wanting to go, not having to go. There is a big difference.”
Mike Lavallee demonstrates air brush art in the House of Kolor Booth at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada
Mike Lavallee demonstrates air brush art in the House of Kolor Booth at the 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada

Hemi-powered 357 Dodge Magnum painted by Mike Lavallee for SEMA Show is equipped with K&N air filter
Hemi-powered 357 Dodge Magnum painted by Mike Lavallee for SEMA Show is equipped with K&N air filter

Lavallee was demonstrating how to airbrush designs for vehicles at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) in Las Vegas, Nevada. He worked in the House of Kolor booth right next to its tattoo artists. People came to watch his demonstrations and to get tattoos in the House of Kolor booth. The lines were so long for a free tattoo at the Las Vegas Convention Center the artists were booked for the entire show.

Some of Lavallee’s favorite works of art were on a 2002 Ford F-150 Lightning and a Dodge 357 Magnum. “I put K&N products on these cars,” said Lavallee. “I also use K&N every day on my personal vehicles. I like the guaranteed power and filtration from K&N.”

The Ford was a showcase vehicle for his custom paint shop. They mixed House of Kolor Orange with Euro Red to get the right base color. Once that was applied, Lavallee took out his airbrush gun. He filled it with Tangelo Pearl, Sunset Pearl and Sunrise Pearl to make his air brush designs pop off the base colors. “I put flames, skulls and a skeleton,” said Lavallee. “There is also a mural of my girlfriend Nicole.” Killer Paint provided the looks and Exile Audio provided the sound. The F-150 sits low over the Foose Nitrous 20-inch wheels. The Ford F-150 also has Baer rotors and of course a K&N air filter.

Lavallee pays close attention to details. “My father was a taxidermist and I learned to paint by watching him,” he said. “I love taking something from its base and turning it into a piece of art.”  For more watch K&N's video on Mike Lavallee and Killer Paint.

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