Continued...

As our kids grew and family changed, I had opportunities to get reacquainted with some of my favorite subject in ART. I found a network of "RAT Fink" fans and CARtoons enthusiasts. Kustom Kulture still existed and I found a place for me in the mix. I jumped at the chance to dust of my brushes and was even surprised to see new tools to master. Some fantastic Artists embraced my desire to get back to my old shenanigans and were essential positive forces to get involved again. With a final nudge from my Wife and oldest daughter (artists in their own rite)... I stepped out of my comfort zone and joined Social Media groups to show my work. Years later, I am happy to report the success my Family, Friends and Followers have helped me earn. As a part time Artist, All of my free time is scheduled with commissioned art and projects that allow me to do what I truly love to do. That is to make people smile, laugh and roll their eyes at automotive creations based on my experience and heroes of the past.  I was recently granted the honor of being an Official RAT FINK / Big Daddy Ed Roth Artist along with many life long goals realized. I am truly blessed.

HOT-ROD NAME = Luiggi Luggnutz
I have been asked many times how I got my "Rodder" name. I thought I would share the story... You may gather at some point my "Real" or given "Legal" name is Lou Mills.
Luiggi Luggnutz is my business or "Rodder" name and it is from a combination of things that occurred in my early years:
LUGGNUTZ - An early morning about 7th grade, My Mom woke me up to tell me that my father was unable to go to work since his car was broken. He was a teacher and since the local schools had difficulties understanding my point of view, I had to go to Jr High school with him :)  I could tell that she was upset about the whole thing, so I stumbled out of bed at too early AM, hair a mess... threw on my jeans and shirt from yesterday and went out to see if I could figure it out. Me and my brothers were not strangers to "Fixing" our fathers car (he was the dumbest smart guy I have ever known) even at 12years old.   The "broken" car was actually a flat tire. I popped the hub cap off of our latest hooptie and saw immediately it was missing 2 lug nuts. So I went to our car graveyard in the side yard and took 2 off a car left  to rust into compost and put them into my pocket. Back at the "working" car, I opened the trunk hoping to find a good spare and was in luck... Not only was the spare good, but the 2 missing lugs where in there too (totally worth the $300 we paid for this thing). I changed the tire and stood up to find my father standing at the car door... He said "Get in, we are late". So I went to school looking like an 80s rock star (sarcasm). I found a tee in my gym locker and changed out the greasy shirt, tried to wash myself a bit and combed my rat nest of hair...I looked like... Well you get the picture. My friends took it easy on me, only made 100 or so jokes, but the day was turning out ok. UNTIL LUNCH! a 9th grader with no neck or brains loved to terrorize anyone who met his gaze. His football buddies loved to pass the hour watching him humiliate people much smaller than him. He avoided me most of the time, My friends say it was because I had the "Crazy Eyes"... But today, I looked like the perfect target. "Hey Dirtbag" and other less savory calls later, he was right up against me. I just looked at him. He took a step back and for a second I thought he knew better but he had just backed up to get a good distance to kick me right in the "business section!" POW...OWWWWW! he hit the ground holding his foot that was growing 2 side by side goose eggs and an ugly bruise! " What are you, Made of Steel???" his friends grabbed him and pulled him away. In fact, he never bugged me again. When the crowd died down, my buddy says "Do you have steel nuts or something...That was awesome"... I said.. "Nope, forgot to take these lug nuts out of my pocket this morning". For years my friends called me LUGGNUTZ.
 
LUIGGI - My mother who passed in 2008 was one of the most amazing, loving and kind people you could ever meet. As i understand it, my name was a source of contention at my birth because my parents did not agree. I was going to be named something completely different, but a close cousin grabbed the name being born a few weeks before me. So after the smoke cleared I was named after my grandfather (long story). My Mom didn't really like the name and would have preferred the name Luigi. So in true "Rebel" mom fashion, this was the name she used for me throughout my childhood (unless I was in trouble) ... So this one is for you Mom :)

So why spell it with Double GG's ? - There are many personal reasons for this beyond just the fact that it looks cool. The Goose in Charlottes web is a clue, so is the name for my sweet wife by our grand children. I will leave this up to you to decide, but just know it is with meaning that I type those extra G's

Thanks for your support and friendship,
Luiggi Luggnutz