Our client asked us to memorialize a young soldier, the son of his close friends, on the inside of the hood of his ’70 Torino.  It was truly an honor and a privilege to do this project.

Sgt. Keith Lee Smette, Makoti, died while serving his country in Fallujah, Iraq, Jan. 24, 2004.  Keith was born Dec. 1, 1978, in Minot, N.D., to Douglas and Charlotte Smette. Prior to his deployment, he was a full time student at North Dakota State University in Fargo.  In January of   2003, Keith volunteered for active duty with the 957th Multi-Role Bridge Company, Bismarck, with his best friend and younger brother, Robert, and was transferred into the unit as a bridge crew member. He was serving as a sergeant in Operation Iraqi Freedom at the time of his death, committed to helping those who need him and proud to serve his country.

Prep work and clears done by KraZKustoms, Glen Ullin, ND.  Thanks Jerome!

portrait detail

top half detail

lower half detail

Kirk and our client, Dana Peterson (no relation!)

Portrait of Paul Gray from Slipknot

(purple coloring is left-over stencil marks, not part of the tattoo….)

11 x 14 portrait…. done by Kirk

Gretchen’s work.

Gretchen’s work.

Gretchen’s work.

Gretchen’s work.

Kirk’s work.  One of two drawings he did for Gretchen for Christmas, the year her mother passed away.  There were no recent photographs of their daughter with Grandma Darlene, so Kirk was able to composite two photographs together to draw a portrait of them together.

Kirk’s work.  One of two drawings he did for Gretchen for Christmas, the year her mother passed away.  There were no recent photographs of their son with Grandma Darlene, so Kirk was able to composite two photographs together to draw a portrait of them together.