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Feel free to grab a cup O'Joe and sit back and enjoy.
My passion for aviation and joy of art have come together in one of the most rewarding things I have ever done, nose art on beautiful aircraft. Enjoy the site and photos in the artwork section on the links area of the left of this page. Feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions at all. Safe flying!!!!
As I work on paintings I'll be posting them to be blog below. Check back often for updates!
I was recently Interviewed by the Press Democrat, Check out the Interview here
-Don
Welcome to the nose art guy web page!
I hope you enjoy the photos and stories on some of the art pieces and experiences I have had the extreme luck to do. Some of the most beautiful aircraft and the coolest people I have ever met. For example, click HERE to see the “Ace Maker” T-33 nose art and flight to Nellis Air Force Base with the Pilot Greg “Wired” Colyer. Click through the blog links below as they march down the front page and click on the page numbers below for the next page of nose art…
Enjoy!
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1/30/2010
See origional photos of Sunday Punch and the restoration
Steve Penning approached me the other day about redoing the nose art on their B-25 J Mitchel Bomber. She's seen some time batteling the elements and the weather hasn't been too kind to the paint. I was ecstatic about the chance to paint a B-25! It is time for a little touch up. I'll upload more photos as the restoration continues. She will be fully hand painted in exacting detail of her WWII nose art. No airbrush work on this baby. We might even reproduce the 50 cal muzzle staining..! 11/24/2009
See some of the flight jackets HEREI have had a blast recreating nose art on leather flight jackets. The technique is an 8 part process that comes out beautifully utilizing high quality acrylics. I love the way they look and it is such a great way to personalize a flight jacket. Take a lok at a few that were recently created!
Here is a variation of a Varga Pin up girl from Esquire in the 1940's. it is being done for Alden Andre of the Clifford Development Group who specialize on outfitting corporate jets with fuel efficient engines. She's designed to have the looks of his lovely wife. She's turning out pretty good! 10/25/2009
See The F-86 Panel
Captain Christopher Nastal, a USAF EC-135 Electronic Warfare Officer, is a friend of the Korean War Double Ace with 10 MiG-15 shootdowns and two damaged to his credit. Colonel Parr is a hero to Capt Nastal. He signed Chris' F-86 gun panel and Chris thought a great way to pay tribute to him was to have Col Parr's nose art reproduced on the panel. Great idea Chris! It looks awesome on the wall! 9/29/2009
See the creation of "Straight Shooter", "Double Shot", and "Mandarin Blossom" HERE
Dave Smith and Brian Sullivan of St George's Spirits recently contacted me to do 3 nose art pieces relating to three of their Hangar 1 premium vodkas. The pieces are coming along great and will look great hanging up over the bar. The bar top is a wing! Great idea for their location at the old Alameda Naval Air Station. |
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Don Ricci
Aviation Art
(707) 526-0317
Email me at:
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"I truly believe in doing nose art with honor to the nostalgia of this great aviation tradition. I truly feel with every brush stroke I am following in the footsteps of those crews in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm who took the time to personalize the aircraft. I love seeing the look on the face of the owner of the aircraft when they see the piece for the first time. All the hours of prep, study and research, coupled with the effort and time I put into 'their baby' makes it all worth while. When I am out on the flightline or in the hangar working on the aircraft there is a connection that I seem to form with the aircraft. When the painting is done and I watch the aircraft fly off, it's bitter sweet. I am proud as hell seeing another piece of my art fly, but on the same token, I am going to miss being with the aircraft. It's almost like it's one of my kids. That's how much heart I put into my work.... |
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