John Berkey

John Berkey (August 13, 1932 – April 29, 2008) was an American artist known for his space- and science fiction-themed works. Some of Berkey's best-known work includes much of the original poster art for the Star Wars trilogy, the poster for the 1976 remake of King Kong and also the "Old Elvis Stamp".

He worked as a freelance artist from the 1960s, after an eight-year stint at a St. Paul, Minnesota advertising agency. He resided in Shorewood, Minnesota.

On March 22, 2007, Excelsior, Minnesota honored him with "John Berkey Day."

He was Artist Guest of Honor at Minicon 35 in 2000.

Berkey died of heart failure on April 28, 2008. Many of his original paintings are periodically on display at ArtOrg in Northfield, Minnesota.

Commercial artist Corrie Erickson was a protégé of Berkey's.

...
Wikipedia