I think every artist can cite artists who were inspirational. The artists who motivated them to create. I have many, from Norman Rockwell, to M.C. Escher to S. Clay Wilson ~ Too many to even try to mention. To add to this, the internet has opened up a whole new universe. Now, along with seeing all these fantastic new artists, I can refamiliarize myself with ones from my analog era. I cannot get over being able to communicate with them! I have 'bothered' a few of these artists and they always take time to respond. It is a gracious, friendly and welcoming community. Working in a pre-digital world, I will never take for granted how accessible art is now. Below are a few artists who I really enjoy studying. I have gotten older, but the excitement of seeing great art is still the same as coming downstairs and seeing a shiny blue StingRay under the Christmas tree in 1967! There are too many to list, so for right now, I have limited this page to a few of my favorite automotive artists.
Dave Deal🖝 Dave's art is instantly recognizable by generations of automotive appreciators. I think it was around 1970 when I became familier with Dave's spot-art work in Road & Track, which verily blew me away! Then, with the advent of the Deal's Wheels series of model cars, I was totally enrapt with the artwork on the box! I would display the box instead of the model. Dave's work will always be very special to me. Sadly, Dave passed away in 2008 and never documented his work publicly. The link is to an authorized archivist.
Keith Thorne 🖝 Keith Thorne is the individual who motivated me to take my work to the next level. I did not try to 'copy' him, but it would be naivé to say his influence is not preeminent in my work. His style is so sublime and evocative it is moving. If a picture is worth 1000 words, Keith's monochrome work is a tome. An A to Z primer of graphic pen and ink excellence. Strangely, there is virtually no info about him that I can find, other than this small banner art, so no link to his work. I know he was Art Director of Popular Hotrodding and Open Wheel magazines. He sent me a letter requesting work for Popular Hotrodding, but that was the last I heard of him. If you have any info on him, please contact me! I am on a mission to make his work more well known. Sadly, he passed in 2017.
Roach and Roth Studio's 🖝 I dont think any retrospective on 70's period art would be complete without mentioning Roach Studios and Big Daddy Ed Roth's work and army of talented artists they employed to do their thing. The history between them is pretty convoluted, but basically it sort of revolved around Ed 'Newt' Newton designing iconic firebreathing, rip snortin' hotrods with Rat Fink inspired monsters popping out of the roof, and talented artists recreating them for designated applications. Ed Roth employed some counterculture masters-Robert Williams for instance-in the early days. Roach was a 70's kids one-stop shop for all the zeitgeist of that era. You could send 5.00 off and have a Rolling Stones tongue, 'Alcapulco Gold' and GTO iron-ons a week later. I spent hours a week dissecting the art in those ads in Car Craft and National Lampoon. Ed Newton remains a favorite to this day.
Joel Naprstek 🖝 I stumbled across Joel's art serendipitously and was instantly attracted to it. It is exactly where I had visions of taking my art back in 1983 but never made it. A fellow Tri-State'r, his art evokes the best of old world analog and new world digital, as he might combine inks, acrylics and digital manipulation to achieve his desired outcome. His portfolio is very impressive! A master of many styles and genres. I really had a difficult time trying to find something to use as an example. While automotive art is what attracted me, he is the ultimate professional given his ability to use any discipline to create auto and aviation art, super hero panel/comic book art, character studies, surrealism, pulp art and much more. Every genre and discipline is touched upon. An example of solid skill sets tastefully implemented having universal appeal across all eras and genres.
Mal Pye 🖝 There are a few artists who simply blow me away at first sight! Mal Pye is one of those! A perfect example of a fantastically creative individual taking full advantage of the digital technology available to them in this era, and laying waste to the tiresome 'digital is not art' absurdities that reverberate around certain cave dwellings. Mal takes vector imaging to the next level. It's insane! His style is so unique, I wouldn't even know how to categorize it. Combine these otherworld styling sensibilities with a unique choice of subject matter which includes bicycles, WWII aviation classics, little known European cars like Hillman Imps, VW's, Cortina GT's, Lotus Super 7's and other mostly forgotten about cars, and I consider him one of the most vibrant artists out today. The cloaked "Unveiling" teasers that he posts fill me with the same child-like Christmas or Boxing Day anticipation mentioned previously. Just fantastic art. One of the best of the new generation.
Brian Stupski, StudioPCK and Round Six Podcast 🖝 Brian's accomplishments and awards could fill a gunny sack ~ I don't know where to start! I'm pretty sure anyone who has picked up a pulp hot rod enthusiasts magazine is familiar with his massive breadth of work that spans decades and reaches into all aspects of the industry. Brians website, which is a must-visit for any auto art enthusisast, is just the microcosm of the macrocosm. Brian is our communities version of a TED motivational coach. He is a teacher who freely shares the knowledge and next-level skills he has attained over the decades. His vector work is simply amazing! It's a semester of math, Adobe Illustrator and design all in 1000 pixels. His wireframes are intense. Seeing how he puts a piece together is a master class in technique. As lofty as his talents and accomplishments are, it is his willingness to share his knowledge and experience with anyone who asks that make him a national treasure. An evangelist for our community, he is an inspiration and just all-around stellar individual. Great art and highly entertaining commentary ~ The ultimate professional.