Even after separating more than 13 years ago, there is one life mantra military service taught Air Force veteran Brian Leonard that he still strongly embraces every day.

"Take pride in what you do and how you do it," said Leonard, who served with the 78th Security Forces Squadron at Warner Robbins Air Force Base, Ga., from 1994 to 1998.

Leonard recently started Red Cup Customs, an airbrushing and custom painting business, which he runs out of a small shop in Orting.

The business specializes in custom paint jobs for golf carts, motorcycles, guitars, helmets and anything else customers bring to Leonard.

"This is my passion," said the 37-year-old, who also coaches youth football in his spare time.

Leonard has always loved to draw and create art, but had to put it on the back burner after enlisting in the Air Force when he was 19. Despite being "scared to death" of basic training before shipping out, it turned out to be one of the best experiences of his life.

"It really affirmed what my grandfather taught me," he said. "To never quit."

With four years of service and one deployment under his belt, Leonard decided to separate and put the wheels in motion finding a way to make money while doing what he loved.

After moving to Washington from Georgia to be closer to his father, Leonard got things going in the right direction, managing an auto body paint and repair shop. After seeing an ad for a weeklong class teaching the finer points of airbrushing, Leonard decided to take the leap. He hasn't looked back.

Leonard has painted everything from an action scene out of the first-person shooter video game "Call of Duty" to Mickey Mouse himself. In between, there are lots of skulls and flames.

"On each job, you have to have a plan and have patience," the veteran said.

And when one is working with quick-drying chemicals and several layers of paint, it takes a delicate balancing act to make things turn out just right.

"There are so many things that can go awry with each job," Leonard said.

But much like basic training, Leonard has never given up. He's built a solid list of happy clients who keep sending others his way.

He's done plenty of jobs for military members.

"I relate to military guys," he said. "I still live that way."

To see more examples of Leonard's work, visit www.facebook.com/redcupcustoms or e-mail redcupcustoms@gmail.com.