I recently caught up with Dwight Lockhart of www.Ilikeit3D.com; an artist with over 35 years of airbrushing experience and creator of high-end signs, displays, props, and ads. More specifically, Dwight has done more than a few customized Bond-related pieces for his clients.
What is your favorite Bond film?
One of my favorite Bond films is Octopussy. I am a huge fan of
Faberge, so much that I have hand crafted two “House of Lockhart Eggs” for my wife.
Hand-crafted egg, by Dwight Lockhart, paying tribute to Faberge
Another hand-crafted egg, by Dwight Lockhart
Who is your favorite Bond actor?
I like the way Daniel Craig plays Bond; full-tilt really, like you
think it would be in real life.
What is your favorite prop from a James Bond film?
Since I hand-crafted two golden guns for a client, I am fond of them, but I think Little Nellie is the best Bond prop because it is real. Could you imagine having one and the skills to pilot it? Too cool!
What is your favorite Bond film location?
In Never Say Never Again, the Nassau location looked pretty exotic
and fantastic to me.
What’s the process you go through when making a James Bond-themed glass table top? How long does it usually take you?
The gun barrel coffee table was easy once I decided on what image to do; I created the art file from scratch in Photoshop, then contour-cut it on my digital printer out of glass-etch decal material in reverse and applied it to the underside of the glass. Elapsed time: 3 hours.
Crafted gun barrel-themed coffee table, by Dwight Lockhart
Crafted "Golden Gun"-themed coffee table, by Dwight Lockhart
What went into making those Bond display cases? And how about the signs/posters?
[For the You Only Live Twice display case]: My wife Debbie cast an acrylic, plastic martini in a real martini glass for use with a Little Nellie model and a miniature You Only Live Twice poster.
"You Only Live Twice" custom display case, by Dwight Lockhart
[For the Octopussy display case:] I sent a 007 logo to China to have a large crystal laser-etched in the center, then stood it on a color-shifting LED base that rotated slowly. I also added broken crystal chips inside the cabinet and another Bond film poster.
"Octopussy" custom display case, by Dwight Lockhart
Each display case featured assorted items we created to carry the
theme through out the room.
Custom "Diamonds Are Forever" display case, by Dwight Lockhart
"Golden Gun" display case, by Dwight Lockhart
Your artwork is extremely detailed and exceptional. Did you receive training in that field, or did it come naturally? What got you into this business?
I have been an airbrush artist and sculptor for 35 years. I was at an auto show when I was 12-years-old and watched an airbrush artist creating hand-painted t-Shirts. That did it for me; I started drawing and painting from that day to today. I totally love it, even though I have had no formal training… I just learned as I went along. I owe a debt of gratitude to the many clients I have had over the years, who have challenged me to create something unique for them.
Custom "James Bond Lounge", by Dwight Lockhart
Crafted Bond film poster, by Dwight Lockhart
Special thanks go out to Dwight Lockhart for providing pictures of his exceptional work, and taking the time to answer a few questions. For more information about Dwight Lockhart and his work, check out www.ilikeit3d.com. Keep up the great work, Dwight!
Cinema Retro has reported that acclaimed production designer Peter Murton passed away just before Christmas 2009. Murton worked on the earlier Bond films, such as “Goldfinger” and “Thunderball”, and later became the art director for “The Man With the Golden Gun”. Murton was also the art director for Stanley Kubrick’s Cold War satire, “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” in 1964. Another great artist has passed on. Condolences go out to the family of Mr. Murton.
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