Stripes & Graphics: “Hot Rod Jen” Thomas

Some kids grow up around ballfields or horses. Others grow up on a lake or on a farm. Jennifer Thomas grew up around hot rods, circle tracks and car shows.

“I’m from a fourth generation hot rod family,” says Jen. “I was born and raised in it, turning wrenches with my dad when I was little. We lived in New Jersey and were always at the dragstrips and car shows. I started doing automotive art—drawings, photorealism and other things—when I was pretty young.

“I was at a car show when someone said I should learn to pinstripe. I said I thought that would be cool, and a pinstriper standing nearby overheard me. He said, ‘Aren’t you the girl that draws the cars? Here you go…’ He gave me a pint of One Shot paint and I was on my way.”