In a world where the commonplace often prevails, the extraordinary occasionally emerges. Jim Vels stands as a prime example of this exceptionalism. Born James W. Vels, Jim was a baby boomer, born in the mid-fifties in Encino, California. He was raised in Reseda by his dad, Nellson, a banker by day and a jack-of-all-trades in his remaining hours. The other half of the equation was his mom, Ivy, a simple but loving homemaker.
Jim also has two brothers who also defy the word “typical.” Jim’s twin brother, Dan, is the owner of an independent Honda/Acura shop, Advanced Imports Specialists, in Santa Clarita, and also campaigns a 1967 Camaro at the drag strip with his son, Christopher, who pilots the car. His other brother, Nellson, owns and operates Outlaw Garage, a full custom hot rod shop, also in Santa Clarita. As Jim would say, the two are the gearheads of the family.
Though Jim didn’t have the desire to follow in his brothers’ mechanical footsteps, his love of the aesthetic part of the custom car world inspired Jim’s real skill, which was to paint. Jim’s dad must have recognized this early in his son’s life, gifting him his first airbrush to complete a model he was working on. Though Jim would draw for hours as a child, airbrushing was where Jim flourished. His high school art teacher, Mr. Gill, also saw the artistic flair in Jim, encouraging him to practice his God-given talent and to enter his first art contest, where he took second place.
Despite his artistic inclinations, Jim embarked on the first phase of his professional life as a journeyman carpenter, primarily involved in high-rise and commercial projects. In 1980, Jim found his calling with the LAFD, where he served with distinction for over 34 years. During his tenure, he held the ranks of Firefighter (1980), Engineer (1986), and Captain I (1992). Along the way, numerous pieces of equipment, tools, and even firefighting apparatus underwent striking transformations, all thanks to Jim’s masterful artistic touch.
The items within the department were merely the tip of the iceberg. In the year 2000, Jim serendipitously encountered Coast Airbrush in Anaheim, California, a moment he humorously described as the point where he became “screwed up” for good. Regardless of his tongue-in-cheek assessment, Jim’s artistic journey greatly enriched the world. He seized every opportunity to enhance his skills, learning from mentors like Dave Monnig, owner of Coast Airbrush, who kindled his enthusiasm and imparted technical expertise related to products and equipment of the trade. Jim also acknowledges Craig Frazer from Kal Koncepts/Air Syndicate as the person who truly taught him the art of painting, alongside numerous other mentors including Mike Lavalle, Danny “D,” Efrain “Bugs” Gonzales, Scott McKay, “Kiwi Terry” Stephens, Cory St. Claire and Tim Lowry to name just a few, who have left indelible marks on his craft.
Outside the realm of art, Jim finds inspiration in the people closest to him: his wife, Roberta, a masterpiece of her own, and Jim’s number one assistant, his daughter, Shelby, and his son, T.J. Together, they keep Jim grounded, whether it’s embarking for a Sunday ride on his Harley with his wife or attending his kids’ sporting events.
Despite his commitments, Jim is tirelessly engaged. It is rumored that he dedicates a conservative four to six hours a day to painting in his workshop. While he earns a modest income from his endeavors, his true passion lies in giving back to those in need. Scarcely a week passes without him receiving commissions to create pieces for charitable causes. The Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association’s Widows, Orphans and Disabled Firefighter’s Fund is one of the primary beneficiaries of Jim’s benevolent work. Despite his considerable generosity, Jim maintains a humble and private demeanor in this aspect of his life, often avoiding the limelight.
There is one poignant moment that Jim takes immense pride in. A few years ago, tragedy struck the Los Angeles County Fire Department when one of its members Tory Carlon was tragically shot and killed while on duty. Jim had painted a helmet to be auctioned at the Los Angeles County Fire Hogs Fallen Firefighters event. Later, he discovered that one of Tory’s daughters desperately wished to bid on the piece but was quickly outbid. Upon learning of this, Jim collaborated with the County Chapter of the Fire Hogs and presented the grieving family with a new custom-painted helmet. Jim later reflected, “It was probably one of the most humbling experiences of my life, presenting the helmet to the widow and her three daughters.”
While Jim’s artistic journey has not always been a smooth canvas, he humorously borrows a quote from his mentor Craig, who’s famous line is “I don’t make mistakes, I just change my mind.” Nevertheless, Jim has always relished being part of the close-knit community of custom painters. He continues to attend numerous painting classes, events, and even the SEMA show in Las Vegas. Throughout these experiences, he has built a vast network of friends and become a valuable member of the larger family of custom painters. He shares ideas, techniques, and processes that he, in turn, imparts to others.
Jim’s passion for painting has brought him considerable recognition both in his profession and personal life, leading to a growing backlog of commissions. If you wish to possess a piece of this historical legacy, be prepared to join a waiting list with an estimated duration of four to six months, which continues to expand.
In the Bible, the first half of Romans 12:6 reminds us that God bestows each of us with unique talents: “In His Grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.” In the case of Retired Captain Jim Vels, one might speculate that he had a few words with the devil, too!
By Jim Hicks