HE'S BEEN ONE OF THE ROD & CUSTOM INDUSTRIES MOST PRODUCTIVE ARTISTS for over four-decades, and there's no sign of him ever slowing down ! And, that's a good thing because M.K. JOHN is also one of the Industries most VERSATILE artists. He's had features run in Rod & Custom, Custom Rodder, Easy Rider, Street Rodder, and too many others to mention !
Equally at-home penning rods, customs, AND some of his favorites...Bikes ! Makes no difference to the man: Harley, Indian,Triumph, Vincent, Honda, Ducati, BMW..if you want it done, bring it to M.K. and he will amaze you with his creativity in turning your ride into a "one-of-a-kind" piece of rolling art that will knock-your-socks-off !!
Kenny and I have been friends for many years, and awhile back we were able to get our schedules in-sync to do a really productive Interview. In this part, I wanted to know more about his published work and, more importantly, his relationship with that great segment of the Motorcycle Industry that he has such an affinity for. Plus, why he's had such a lifelong love of bikes.
It all started with his Dad, when M.K. was growing up in Missouri, and continued when he moved to Iowa and struck up a friendship with a soon-to-be Cycle Industry legend.
So, sit back for the next few minutes and enjoy a little more of the amazing history of this most unique, nice, and talented illustrator, my friend: M. K. John. JK
________________________________________________________________
M.K. has sent me pix of some of the brilliant work he's done on bikes through the years and I've put a few on here so you could see them.
OH, AND ABOUT THAT PIC AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE: M.K. assures me that when he caught that fish it looked EXACTLY like you see it ! He said all he had to do was spray it with a few coats of "clear" and hang it up.
SPECIAL NOTE: TO LEARN MORE ABOUT M.K.'s friend, JOHN PARHAM of J&P Cycles, see the info at the bottom of this page
The Special Artist's Renderings by M.K. John, above left: J&P Cycles 30th Anniversary Logo Design (2009); above right: J&P Cycles Design used in Easy Rider Magazine (2000).
SPECIAL THANKS TO M.K. FOR SENDING all of these great pix & artwork (and, much more that we can use in the future) from his Personal Archives !
________________________________________________________________
M.K. JOHN'S friend, JOHN PARHAM, has a story that's featured in the book "The Vincent In The Barn", by Tom Cotter. (Motorbooks Pub.). His story starts on Page 26, and is one of the most interesting in the book.
To read my complete review of "The Vincent In The Barn", just go to the "Hot Off The Press" Section and scroll down the page till you see the cover. JK
