CLEVELAND, Ohio – The “Evolution of Life Road Show,” sponsored by the Ohio Technical College (OTC), will visit four Northeast Ohio schools from Monday, Oct. 26, to Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009, culminating with an open house at OTC in Cleveland on Friday, Oct. 30. 
Famed professional airbrush artist Richard Markham, who joined OTC in June 2009 as an instructor for the school’s Custom Paint and Graphics program, will headline the “Evolution of Life Road Show.” Markham will demonstrate airbrush techniques for students at each school, which all offer automotive technical courses.
Markham’s canvas during the demonstrations will be a 75-foot tractor trailer that he and his team are driving from school to school. He is outfitting the truck with a U.S. historical theme, featuring several famous explorers and pioneers.
The trailer is also carrying three of Markham’s famous custom cars: “The Devil’s Ride”, the “Ice Car” and the “Pumping Iron” car, which students will be able to check out during the visits.
Scheduled tour stops for the week include:
• Hoover High School in North Canton on Monday, Oct. 26;
• Willoughby-Eastlake Tech Center in Willoughby on Tuesday, Oct. 27;
• Auburn Career Center in Painesville on Wednesday, Oct. 28;and
• RG Drage Career Technical Center in Massillon on Thursday, Oct. 29.
Students will also learn about OTC’s extensive Custom Paint and Graphics program. The 12-week course teaches airbrushing, 3-D paint effects, exotic paint, chameleon colors, flames and pinstriping.
Students who attend OTC receive both classroom and hands-on training in a variety of automotive fields, from classic car restoration and body repair to alternative fuel technology. For more information about these career paths and others offered by OTC, visit www.ohiotechnicalcollege.com.
About Richard Markham
Richard Markham has been airbrushing for 20 years. Completely self-taught, Markham started off with pencil sketching, cartooning, and eventually worked up to portraits and paintings.
At 19 years old, Markham discovered the airbrush and has never turned back. His ability to produce high-quality, detailed work in limited time has evolved into a desire to teach others. He has created his own system and techniques to teach airbrushing to those who proclaim they “can’t even draw a stick figure.”
Throughout his career, Markham has always explored his options as an airbrush artist. Some of his accomplishments include subcontracting for Six Flags New England, owning and operating his own chain of mall airbrush stores, featured articles in numerous magazines, and winning dozens of awards at car and truck shows. 
In recent years, Markham has been gaining recognition for his live airbrush demonstrations that he performs at car shows and high schools across the United States. Markham’s work can be seen on his Web site at www.richardmarkham.com and his products can be purchased at www.ultima-airproducts.com.
