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The Albert Lea Art Center will kick off the summer with a unique new exhibit created by Twin Lakes artist Ryan Bergeson.

This will be Bergeson’s first time having an exhibit at the Art Center, but people may already be familiar with his work, whether they have seen it on a car parked at a curb during the Eddie Cochran festival, on a tray being auctioned off at a hospice fundraiser or even on a brightly-colored motorcycle zooming down the highway.

Originally from Albert Lea, Bergeson said he was always artistic, but got his painting career started when he began lettering stock cars around age 13. He wasn’t very good at it, he joked, but people seemed to like it anyway.

When he was in high school, Bergeson was asked to paint dragons on a motorcycle, and that is when his artwork really took off. From then on, he painted murals on motorcycles, cars and other vehicles. Bergeson said he used to hand out business cards, but eventually stopped as he was getting too many projects to work on. He has currently painted over 200 motorcycles, he said.

Depending on how large a piece is and what he is painting, Bergeson said, it can take as long as 40 hours to complete a project.

Bergeson describes his art style as “hot rod” or “Rat Fink style.” It consists of airbrush and pinstripe work, he said, and there is not a lot of detail work he has to do.

In 1988, Bergeson moved from Albert Lea to Twin Lakes, taking up residence in an old train depot. He made the entire lower floor his workspace and uses the upper floor as living space.

In addition to art, Bergeson said he worked full time in welding. After a series of health issues, including cancer and a back injury, he had to stop welding and pursued art full time. He has since retired, but makes time for his creative work and is still able to earn an income from that. He has also pulled back on his work with large vehicles.

While he still paints on motorcycles, he now also does a lot of airbrush painting on materials other people would consider junk. These include TV trays, barrels, satellite dishes, circular saw blades and more.

“I take this piece of junk and make it look nice,” he said.

Bergeson said his favorite part of his art is enjoying the solitude that comes with creating.

“You’ve got to work alone to get it done, and I like that part of it,” he said.

He added he tries to do a good job as people have put their trust in him.

“They have to have confidence in me as much as I do,” he said.

In addition to painting for his own enjoyment and for a living, Bergeson also said he likes to use his work to give back. He regularly donates pieces to cancer fundraisers and events benefiting local hospice care centers. Both of these are close to his heart, he said, as he has previously had cancer and had family and friends receive hospice care.

“I’m pretty honored to be asked to do it,” he said.

Bergeson’s exhibit will be at the Albert Lea Art Center through June 26. An artist reception open to the public will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. June 8 at the Art Center.