Today, we’d like to introduce you to Chris Cott.
Chris, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I feel I am very lucky to live and work doing what I love in a city as beautiful as San Diego! As if painting murals wasn’t fun enough, bringing my dogs to jobs makes it not even seem like work. I take a break to step back & they love the walks.
Restaurant projects are their favorites, as they get plenty of snacks! I’ve decorated dozens, including three here in Old Town, where we are currently making new signs and refreshing the older ones at Cafe Coyote. We have painted murals in 3 entire rooms there and just completed a Cabo room. While decorating the Casa de Fred’s across the street, I painted their Dog-Friendly Patio sign and added my dogs. I also worked at three restaurants in Hawaii: Moose McGillicuddy’s on Oahu as well as the location on Maui and Fred’s there as well. There were great views and staff, but I couldn’t bring my dogs.
I started high school learning sign work from my lifetime friend Lee Puckett, then ran my airbrush shop in Mission Beach for 24 years. I spent a year in Antigua, airbrushing shirts for visitors and painting signs for locals. I guess life IS a beach!
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Gosh, I sometimes wish I had more skills, and prices of materials have recently gone up along with everything else, but I have had it pretty great! The tough times make you stronger.
I wish there were more local public mural opportunities locally without all the politics involved. I stay pretty busy and have referred some jobs to fellow artists who have tons of talent but haven’t been around as long.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m glad I learned to airbrush, first t-shirts & clothing, then murals and more.
Moving to decorating restaurants is fun. I thank Mr. DeShong for giving me the opportunities and artistic license. I love to go in and anonymously watch people checking out my work while they eat. I have a new mural coming up and more work at the restaurants too.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I wish I could say I knew how to juggle!
When I got hired at the sign shop, I was working at the 2nd Wendy’s and felt like I had been released from jail! I can’t believe I started and ran an airbrush shop for 24 years on the oceanfront. I was living on my boat across the street in the bay most of the time until I met my girlfriend.
I still run into people I met at my shop; here in San Diego and while traveling. A kid who recognized me said hi the first day I was on Antigua! I became friends with his older brother, and he went on to play sold out concerts and started Crossroads rehab with Eric Clapton.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.airbrushchris.com
