To see and talk to Brian "Spider" Papa, you might think you were having a serious flashback to the days of drive-ins, hot rods, soda fountains, and car hops. Brian’s interest in 1950’s nostalgia is not only reflected in his surroundings and in his style but it is also evident in the way he lives and works.

Brian’s belief in hard work, giving and getting value for your dollar and the idea that a person’s word should be good enough comes from his blue-collar heritage. It only takes a glance at Brian’s grandfathers to understand where Brian gets his innate creative talents, entrepreneurial ability and humble approach to life.

Brian’s maternal grandfather, Ray, was known as one of the best auto mechanics in town. Ray’s real talent, however, was for the craft of building custom boats from his originally created designs.

Ray's ease with tools, his mechanical knowledge and ingenuity flow through the uniqueness of Brian’s art and designs.

Brian’s paternal grandfather, Victor, an Italian immigrant, demonstrated that being a successful businessman didn't necessarily mean a fancy education or a million dollars in the bank.

Victor was a happy and proud family man who delivered milk to the rich and poor alike in Boston for over 50 years. He owned his own truck and made a good living. His number one concern was taking care of his customers and he believed in the philosophy that a hand shake meant something.

Brian was never really your average kid. His mother says she first recognized Brian’s creativity after a visit to the Children’s Museum in Boston. Brian brought home a huge bag of odds and ends, pieces of different sizes and shapes of wood, plastic discs, beads, and buttons. He went off for about fifteen minutes and came back with his version of a Kodak Instamatic camera. This happened when he was only four years old. Needless to say there were many moments like that over the years.

When Brian reached junior high in western Massachusetts, his individuality began to emerge with his interest in art, the punk rock music scene, and skateboarding.

High school brought more self-expression with art and music -- he played bass for a band and became involved in drawing show posters for other local bands. Brian also appeared to be ahead of his time, and struggled with the boredom of a traditional school. Being eager to experience more of life, Brian went off to live on his own. Although sad to see him leave, Brian's family understood and helped and supported him with the move.

Unfortunately, a few months later, Brian had an experience that he considers one of those life-altering events. A stab wound just an inch from his heart and a collapsed lung has a way of changing a person’s perspective on life. After spending time rehabilitating at home with family, Brian set out for Colorado. He was ready to experience a different part of the world, and the time out west with friends helped him to come to terms with the event and allowed him to set new priorities in life. Eventually Brian decided that Colorado had offered all it could, and he decided to return to Massachusetts.

Two days after moving back to Massachusetts, Brian met his wife Amy who was attending Smith College. Once Amy graduated they moved to New York City to explore its art and music, eventually returning to Amherst, Massachusetts where they bought their first home. During the next several years, Brian's art took a new turn, as he discovered an interest in pinstriping and lettering and began to teach himself the craft. He started to spend more and more time practicing -- he painted the toaster, the washer and dryer, the filing cabinet, and even the basement walls. Soon people started to take notice, and due to more and more requests for his work, Brian started to consider opening his own business to pursue his art full time.

One day Brian and Amy went out for a drive in their recently finished 1934 roadster. They came across a sign business owned by Ronnie Dion.

Brian decided to introduce himself to Ronnie, and this meeting opened the door for a lifetime friendship and an opportunity for Brian to enhance his skills. Ronnie is a sign painter with over forty years experience and his passion for teaching and Brian’s passion for his art was an unstoppable force. Within a short time Brian opened his own shop and has been making a living from his art ever since.

Known in the local community as the "sign guy", Papa Signs became the place where many of the town's businesses went to get signs made and vehicles lettered.

Brian also became involved in the local community of motorcyclists, and did a lot of custom paint and pinstriping for area bikers. His interest in old cars and hot rods made striping and work on hot rod and classic cars for his customers a breeze.

In 2004, the cold and snow got to be too much so Brian and Amy set out on a new adventure. "Down South???", family and friends asked. But Brian and Amy were ready for a change and soon after moving they discovered the property of their dreams -- a fifties style house with a 4000 square foot shop and studio. Does it get any better than this? Amy and Brian have now settled in Atlanta, Georgia in their new shop and studio where Brian is making a living with his art, pinstriping, signmaking, logo design, furniture making, and custom artwork. And of course riding his motorcycle year round!

So where did the name "Spider" come from? His family would tell you that it comes from when he was four years old and had an obsession with Spiderman. Friends may say it comes from those long arms and legs. Perhaps it is just when you meet him, you easily get caught in his web of energy, outrageous humor and phenomenal talent.