‍In our Staff Spotlight series, we’re pulling back the curtain on the talented artists, artisans, and craftspeople who make up our crew. Our team is a gumbo pot of creativity: painters, sculptors, woodworkers, fiber artists, costume designers, metalsmiths, actors, musicians, writers, jewelry designers, and the list goes on. If you can dream it up, chances are we’re already doing it in our free time, too. That’s what makes us so good at our day jobs as custom experiential fabricators.

Each month, we’ll shine a light on one of our team members—their inspirations, their after-hours projects, and the creative spark they bring to both their life and our shop floor. Because behind every masterpiece is a person with a story worth sharing.

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This month, we’re spotlighting Lorese Thornabar, our Finisher, whose dedication to the art of a flawless finish started over 15 years ago in his family's autobody shop.

Lorese Thornabar was raised in New Orleans’ 9th Ward, a neighborhood shaped by music, family, and hard work. His grandmother’s house was next door to rock n' roll pioneer Fats Domino’s house, and Lorese remembers afternoons when Fats would welcome neighborhood kids inside to keep them safe and entertained.

That level of care for the community left a lasting impression on him. 

Today, that same spirit shows up in the way he approaches his craft. When we talked about what drives him, he said he loves making people feel good about themselves. That belief sits at the center of everything he does. Whether he is refinishing a car, completing a project in the Downtown FabWorks shop, designing clothing, or hand-painting shoes, his goal is always the same. He wants people to feel proud and confident in the environments they move through.

‍Growing up Around Cars

Lorese comes from a family of makers and doers. His grandfather owned two junkyards. His uncles built race cars from the ground up. His family runs Atomic Customs Automotive shop in Chalmette, just outside New Orleans, where he grew up watching panels being stripped, engines being rebuilt, and entire vehicles being brought back to life with innovative custom fabrication. It wasn’t a big surprise to anyone when he picked up a spray gun in 2010 and joined the family business.

As it so happened, the family shop sits only a couple of doors down from Downtown FabWorks’ former Chalmette location. Luckily for us, that closeness sparked Lorese's curiosity about experiential fabrication. He wanted to expand his understanding of surfaces and learn how different materials respond to various finishes and treatments. He eventually decided to bring his steady hand and deep knowledge of automotive finishing into our shop, and his skill and spirit continue to make a meaningful impact on our work.

That doesn't mean he's stepped away from his first love, though! At the family autobody shop, Lorese and family are currently rebuilding an El Camino. The body is intact and the engine is installed, but the vehicle needs to be stripped down and repainted. His long-term goal is to rebuild a 1969 Camaro—his dream car—entirely on his own. 

‍The Discipline Behind the Shine

Working in his family’s shop taught Lorese that quality is king. He learned that creating beautiful, lasting work requires patience, a sharp eye for detail, and the willingness to redo something if it does not meet the standard. He also learned that craft is never finished. There is always another technique to try or a material to understand more deeply.

He embraces experimentation because it leads to discovery. That mindset carries into his work at Downtown FabWorks, where he brings a ready smile and a steady, can-do attitude. He takes pride in being part of a team that cares about doing thoughtful, meaningful work.

‍Committing to CHANGE

During a challenging period in his life, Lorese created a personal mantra: CHANGE, which stands for Complete High Achievements, Never Give Excuses. From that mindset, he launched CHANGE Apparel and designed a clothing line around the brand. The first drop sold out, which affirmed that people connected with the message behind it.

The second release is currently on hold due to family responsibilities, and he hopes to relaunch later this year. For Lorese, the brand reflects discipline, growth, and staying focused on doing the right thing, even when life feels heavy.

‍Fancy Footwork

Outside of the fab floor and the autobody shop, Lorese’s creativity also extends into custom footwear. It started small, when he decided to paint a pair of shoes for himself, but people quickly noticed and started asking for their own. Always a fan of experimenting with new surfaces and techniques, his shoe commissions inevitably led to testing out the best paints and sealants to prevent cracking and peeling while ensuring durability on leather and canvas. He works on all types of shoes, tailoring his designs to delight footware afficianados of all ages.

‍‍Creating From the Heart

Lorese is the father of two young boys, and he also has godchildren who keep him moving and laughing. Family remains at the heart of his motivation. When he talks about his projects, he often returns to the idea of pride and self-worth. He wants the work that he does, whether it’s a beautiful race car, a pair of awesome shoes, or a flawlessly finished experiential element, to uplift and inspire the people that connect to it.

At Downtown FabWorks, we talk about being Good People doing Good Work and creating Excellent Experiences. It's not just a tagline. It's central to our company culture and how we endeavor to show up for ourselves, our colleagues, and our clients everyday. Lorese embodies that mindset in a natural way, because he was living it long before he ever joined our team. To watch Lorese work is to see someone who understands that the true effect of his craft, if done correctly, runs way beyond surface level. 

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If you've ever wished your fabrication partner would care about the details as much as you do, it's time to meet the Downtown FabWorks crew. Let our friendly, focused, and quality-obsessed team help you exceed your goals with your next build. Reach out today and let's get started!