Article By: Killer Callen
From Issue 319 Of Cycle Source Magazine. See The Entire Digital Issue HERE Or Subscribe HERE Today And Get A Real Magazine Delivered To Your Door!
There’s a certain kind of artist who doesn’t just create, they build a life around the work. The kind who chases something deeper than a paycheck, something wired into their bones from the start. That’s exactly what you get with AJ Newsom, the force behind Red Beard Original.
Originally from North County San Diego, Newsom now calls Topaz, California home. It’s a move that says everything about who he is. The coast never quite scratched the itch. He wanted roads that pushed back, terrain that demanded something of you. Out in the Sierras, he found it. More than that, he found a kind of stillness that balances out a restless spirit. For a guy who lives wide open, that matters.
Like a lot of us, it started young. Fast cars, a little “Dukes of Hazzard” energy, and eventually the inevitable shift to motorcycles. Once that hook set, there was no shaking it. Being raised by an engineer and lifelong tinkerer didn’t hurt either. Creativity wasn’t just encouraged, it was part of the daily language. Understanding how things were built turned into a need to build them himself, eventually leading to a fabrication shop where metal and wood became extensions of his hands.
But art? That was there from the beginning.
There’s a story his mom tells, he was four years old, dressed in what he thought was work attire, carrying an art kit like a briefcase, heading out the door. When she asked where he was going, he answered, “I’m going to work… my artwork.” That was it. No hesitation. No doubt. Just a kid already locked into his path.
Life didn’t make it easy. After his family split, they relocated to Warner Springs, a rural stretch outside Julian. It was a hard transition, financial struggles, uncertainty, just his mom and younger brother trying to get by. But that’s where purpose showed up. A pack of blank white T-shirts and a couple of Sharpies turned into a hustle. Hand-drawn Flintstones characters caught attention on the school bus, and before long, he was selling shirts to help bring in grocery money.
That moment changed everything. Art wasn’t just expression, it was survival. It had weight. It had purpose.
Still, it took years before Newsom fully owned the title of “artist.” That shift didn’t come until later in life when his wife pushed him to see what had been there all along. Confidence didn’t show up overnight, but once it did, things started moving fast. He leaned in, and the work followed.
In his twenties, he launched In House Art, focusing on high-end finishes, murals, and custom interior work. It took off, until the 2008 crash hit like a hammer. What followed was a stretch of grinding through handyman work, raising a family, and trying to hold onto the creative spark. That’s when leather entered the picture.
What started as a leap of faith turned into a full-blown evolution.
Today, leather is where it all comes together. Illustration, texture, color theory, it all gets poured into every piece. His work blends tattoo influence with traditional Western tooling, landing somewhere in a lane that didn’t really exist before. It’s bold, layered, and unmistakably his. He describes it best as a mash-up, pulling from everything: graffiti, Hanna-Barbera cartoons, even French impressionism. Think Bruce Lee philosophy applied to art, take what works, leave the rest, and build your own style.
And it worked.
By stepping into leather at a time when the scene had a low pulse, Newsom carved out a voice that hit hard and fast. Suddenly, people were paying attention. What he brought to the table; color, storytelling, attitude; felt new. Familiar, but different. Like the first time someone put peanut butter and jelly together and realized it just made sense.
The motorcycle world was a natural fit. It carried the same DNA as hot rod culture but stripped away the barrier between rider and road. No windshield. No insulation. Just raw experience. The smell of grass, the snap of temperature changes, the feel of every turn. That connection fuels everything he creates.
When it comes to clients, the mission is simple: meet or exceed expectations, every time. That might mean reworking a design over and over until it hits just right. If it’s not something he’s proud of, it doesn’t leave the shop. Period.
Red Beard Original officially came to life in 2011, hitting full stride in 2012, and it’s been a grind ever since. The reality of turning art into a living isn’t always romantic. Long days, mental burnout, time away from family, that’s the cost. He’s learned to work in focused bursts, four to five hours of full-throttle creativity before stepping back to reset.
And family? That’s the anchor. Being a dad isn’t secondary, it’s everything. Time on the road is tough, but coming home makes it worth it.
Through it all, the work has opened doors most people only dream about. Cross-country travel, connections with industry legends, friendships with people he once read about in magazines, it’s all part of the ride now.
If there’s one thing Newsom would tell anyone starting out, it’s this: lean into who you are and don’t be afraid to say no. The right no makes room for the right yes.
As for legacy, it’s not about fame or numbers. It’s about proving that no matter where you are in life, you can still bet on yourself. Swing hard. Stay on the throttle. And don’t let up.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what this life, and this art, is all about.
Follow the Work:
IG: @redbeardoriginal
FB: Red Beard Original
Web: www.Redbeardleather.com
