We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Butch Hartman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Butch, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

Coming from an artist that’s based in traditional media I’ve definitely seen and been part of the digital movement. I have an associates in digital design prepress. I was saying that I went back to traditional media just because I love the process more. Nothing wrong with digital media but the way in which it’s evolved I’ve seen artists that came from a traditional media background and have thrived in a digital world as opposed to some artists that have not, which you can tell the difference. The biggest trend is the coming of AI which people who have zero background in any type of art now are self proclaimed artists. Which the way the AI works works off the backs of actual artists. I don’t think AI is helping any creative process but rather making a way for lazy people that don’t want to be a true artist.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Well my name is Butch Hartman, I own and operate Bitchin Inc. Designs. I specialize in more hot rod, big rig and motorcycle artwork. I do mainly commissions but from time to time I’ve done some t shirt design. Over the years with shirt design I’ve started doing my own meaning I press out shirt orders for those that want it done. That aspect has given me more control over the products and processes used to make sure the artwork doesn’t suffer and my clients get a better product.

Really I like being a traditional artist being able to give clients a custom hand made item as opposed to something digital. Again nothing wrong with digital it has its place but there’s something tangible about a client being able to put their hands on your work and being able to see it up close. Anything custom has more of a raw element to it and showcases the ability of someone that’s taken the time, effort and discipline to hone a craft. I think that’s the beauty of it and what I try to provide to people.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

At the time when I started Bitchin Inc. Designs I had been working full time at a custom Harley shop for 3-1/2 years. I had thought it was something I wanted to do for the foreseeable future. It turned out I just got tired of working for other people chasing their dreams and not mine. I had a friend in the same industry named Lulu. She was moving back east and we met up before she did. I had mentioned I was burnt out on the motorcycle gig and she had mentioned how I should do my art in some capacity. So I did!

I had started right around the time Instagram was in its infancy. So I started an account as well as a Facebook business page and worked on creating art picking up clients along the way. I worked after my day at the shop 5 days a week getting home from the shop at 5, getting a workout in and shoving food in my face real quick, working on pieces till 12,1 sometimes 2 in the morning. Then getting up at 5:30 to get to the shop and do it all over again. I’d even work all day on the weekends. Things continually picked up every year till 2018 when I decided I needed to do it full time or not at all. Obviously I chose full time.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

As I mentioned I worked full time at a shop and did this for almost 5 years. Putting in 45-50 hours a week at the shop and with my off time I just did my art. I had no “play days” or “happy hours” with people that shut their work day off when they punched out of work. When you create something like this or have your own business it doesn’t shut off. It’s a 24/7 thing whether you take time off or not. It’s up to you whether you want that thing to continue or let it fail. I chose to grow it and with that there’s sacrifices you gotta make.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.Bitchinincdesigns.com
• Instagram: @btchn_inc._designs
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/gearheadartanddesign
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@bitchininc.designs2067?si=2DdKtunXn9DpfCeN
• Tik tok: @b1tch1nincdesigns

Image Credits
Photo of me taken by Brianna Berlyn Photography