http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a20...ks/antlogo.jpg
05 Dec 2007
ANT WEST: PICASSO OF THE PADDOCK?
Kawasaki MotoGP rider, Anthony West, isn't just a demon on a motorcycle. The 26-year old Australian has another significant talent which has now been embraced by the team: his skills as an artist.
His bike, helmet and pit box have recently been emblazoned with Ant's self-drawn logo.
"I've had my designs used on my kit before," he explains "the helmet I used when I first came to Grand Prix racing was decorated by my own artwork, but there hasn't been much else that's been used, until now.
"Art was just about the only thing I was any good at when I was at school," he continues. "At least, it was the subject I tried hardest at and the only one I got an A in."
He started young, doodling and drawing for fun, but has carried it on into adulthood and it remains one of his favourite pastimes.
"I don't do it now as much as I'd like, and it's not very organised, I just do it when the mood takes me. At home I've got heaps of different sketchbooks and note pads but most of the time I just pick up a pen and draw on random bits of paper. So I have this big pile of stuff I've drawn."
The logo is an impressive piece of work. The insect which shares his name is drawn as a well-dressed, mischievous creature, carrying a cane and displaying a cheeky grin. To be honest, it's nothing like Anthony at all (he certainly has fewer legs) but hey, that's artistic license for you…
And he worked through a number of ideas before eventually picking the final design.
"I started drawing in a variety of different styles and there were a few good ones. I couldn't use some of them though, they might have been seen as a bit aggressive and scary and not the best image to give off!"
But the end result has livened up his lid, his pit box and his fairing with originality and flair. And Ant's chuffed:
"I'm pleased with it, it's personal and I think it looks cool," he grins, approvingly. "It's pretty nice to have your own art work on a MotoGP bike…"
