PRESCOTT — Charles Armstrong never met Korczak Ziolkowski, but both artists have depicted legendary Sioux warrior Crazy Horse.
In 1948, Ziolkowski began work on the Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Armstrong, co-owner of Auto Art Studio in Prescott, is painting two motorcycles with images of the key people behind the memorial.
"For them to have asked me to paint this bike, it's definitely an honor," Armstrong said.
When finished, Armstrong's deft airbrush work will feature images of Ziolkowski; his wife, Ruth; and the memorial on the front and back fenders and fuel tank on two Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail bikes.
Ace Crawford, communications director for the memorial, said Black Hills Harley-Davidson co-owner Jim Burgess donated the bikes and recommended Armstrong.
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Crawford said the first bike's art celebrates the dedication of the memorial and the other bike commemorates Ziolkowski's 100th birthday.
Armstrong, 36, offered a sample of his work, and Crawford said they flew him out to see the memorial.
"We were just very, very impressed," she said.
Chief Henry Standing Bear and Ziolkowski began work on the memorial to honor the culture, tradition and living heritage of North American Indians.
Crawford said tickets for the first bike will be on sale throughout the summer and the drawing for the winner is Sept 6.
She said the second bike will go on display after the raffle and tickets will go on sale for it in the coming year.
It is a major achievement for a guy who bought his first airbrush while he was still attending Prescott High School.
Armstrong was 16 when he got his first job painting a silhouette of mountains with a sun rising behind them on the tailgate and sides of a late-1980s Nissan truck in his parents' driveway for $60.
"I was hooked — that was the greatest thing ever," he said.
These days, Armstrong and a small group of guys spend their days working on cars in a Prescott industrial park.
"He's by far one of the most talented artists that I've known and have ever worked with," said Brad Houk, co-owner of the studio.
"It's a great opportunity for him to show off his extraordinary talent."
Framed copies of magazines showcasing Armstrong's artwork hang on the walls in the studio's office.
The work Armstrong does is tedious, but that does not bother him, he said.
He expects to spend around 30 hours just to paint the front fender of the first bike and an additional 10 hours on the rear fender, he said.
"It is a job, but the rewards are great," he said. "I still get a kick that people pay me to paint their cars."
