Airbrushed art has always been epic. It’s the true airbrush masters that have the talent to create designs that escape the cheesiness of airbrush stereotypes and create truly jaw-dropping artwork.

(Images via 10awesome, completeall, airbrush)

Flames, explosions, underwater seascapes… the subject matter of airbrush masterpieces are the most entertaining part of the entire artistic experience.

(Images via derenart, linworkman, redbubble, keithnelsonarts)

Portraits are difficult in any situation. Creating a realistic depiction of someone with perfect shading is not made easier using a nozzle, so these portraits are made even more impressive.

(Images via theforce, icartist, airbrush, keithnelsonarts, absolutextremes)

Looking for art that brings the movies home? These depictions of famous characters would be perfect for any movie room.

(Images via ctbikersguide, aerorgraphyx, world-airbrush, generation-internet, joebysairbrushart)

Airbrushing was made famous by vans with huge magical landscapes, but it was only a matter of time before motorcyclists caught the bug. Here are some gorgeous airbrushed designs that bring these rides from mundane to kick ass.

(Images via jorymon, jorymon, helmetsetc, alienhelmets, skullskidderhelmets)

A motorcycle helmet is a great opportunity for awesomeness. Don’t waste a helmet with a bland color or generic logo, and spice it up with some badass airbrushing.

(Images via deco-art-uk, dallasairbrush, vetteweb, worldairbrush,vetteweb)

Demons and airbrushing were made for each other. The airbrushers unique ability to create realistic flames are a perfect fit for any kind of hell scene.

(Images via truckin, new-airbrush, showcargarage)

It takes absolute mastery to make an airbrushed masterpiece that does not conform to the typical hazy look of airbrushed art. These examples are so clean on the edges that they hardly look like they’re airbrushed at all.

(Images via fineartamerica)

No collection of airbrushed art would be complete without a few animals, which are just as iconic as the classic airbrushed van.

When one thinks of painted vans, they immediately envision the 1960’s and 1970’s Volkswagen van covered flowers, and weighed down by lounging hippies. Banish these thoughts from your mind, as we introduce you to the most badass van paint jobs to grace our nation’s roads. The classics are well represented, along with some jaw dropping airbrushing that could be in a gallery.

(Images via fandomania, highsnobiety, outside-blog)

Bumper stickers are not always enough. When you truly want to declare yourself a fan of a film or television show, you should buy a van with plenty of “wall” space, and hire the best artist you can find to create a gorgeous mobile mural. Or not. Whether you decide to or not, you can surely enjoy these fine examples of people who did just that.

(Images via kilometermagazine, paradoxoff)

The classic sunset van design has been kicked up a notch in these visually stunning examples. Great color and fine details make driving next to these vans almost like canoeing on a lake as the sun goes down.

(Images via ipaintfx, wexarts, livingwilliamsburgvirginia)

Americans are more patriotic than most, and apparently van owners take this to an entirely new level. There are few things that will get an American’s heart pumping like a huge representation of our nation’s flag barreling down the highway.

(Images via webshots, airfx)

Not all van art has to be happy flowers and tie dye colors, as these vans show. The quality of the work is stunning, and it’s great to see an artist incorporating the van’s windows for the full effect.

(Images via houstonist, vwvortex, io9, truckinweb)

Larger than life, abstract themes are definitely airbrushed van classics. The best artwork incorporates each side of the van, so any neighboring cars can see a different part of the full piece.

(Images via moillusions, moillusions)

illusions are far from classic, but it would be hard to show a collection of painted vans without hitting some comical advertising. These ads are realistic and unexpected enough to catch even the most alert driver off guard. The drivers of these vans probably see a lot of double takes from fellow road warriors.

(Images via crawfu, liquorandlibations, bestweekever, soundcloud, bestweekever)

Unfortunately, a lot of the true classic van paint jobs have been lost to rust and the sands of time, but old photos live on, even in a digital age. Hopefully some of these awesome rides will inspire a new generation of airbrushing professionals to pick up the nozzle and create their own work of art.