Remembering JOHN BERKEY

Remembering JOHN BERKEY:

A friend posted an image on Facebook yesterday from a digital painting class he just finished taking. The picture kinda reminded me of old school sci-fi illustration, and in turn, made me wanna look up some John Berkey. Lo and behold, the anniversary of Berkey's death was yesterday. Serendipity, for those that subscribe to the concept.

Berkey was, of course, a master illustrator, best known for depicting fantastic themes with a very representational look. Guys like him and Syd Mead made science fiction look like science fact. I know it's trite to say it that way in 2011, but it's true, none the less.

I think it's also fair to say that we have a legion of artists who've come behind a guy like John that have to pay their respects to his legacy. I don't believe we would have the brilliance of a Stephan Martiniere, Daniel Dociu or a Thom Tenery, without the remarkable trailblazing of a John Berkey that preceeded them. Just sayin'.

- SWAiN

A little bio info below taken from Wiki and Wookiepedia:

John Conrad Berkey (August 13, 1932 – April 29, 2008) was an artist who illustrated at least eleven pieces of Star Wars art, including cover art for the Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope novelization and Star Wars: Death Star Battle video game.

He also painted the movie poster for the '70s remake of King Kong and created the well known, "Old Elvis Stamp".

Berkey was born in North Dakota in 1932. Until the age of six, Berkey and his family lived in Aberdeen, South Dakota, whereupon they moved to St. Joseph, Montana and later Excelsior, Minnesota.

In 1950, after graduating from high school, Berkey attended the Minneapolis School of Art. John Berkey worked for three studios over a six-year period, including Artists Inc., before being hired by Brown & Bigelow for eight years. Since then, he continued to illustrate for various projects, such as cover art for a Science Fiction Book Club Cover.

John Berkey was inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame in 2004.