From stamps to award-winning posters, San Francisco-based illustrator John Mattos's distinctive style combines natural drawing talent with the polished elegance of airbrush techniques and a stunning colour palette. His work celebrates traditional Art Deco poster design with a glamorous modern twist.
Born in 1953, Mattos grew up on a farm in the Central Valley east of San Francisco, where Continental cars were popular. “Like George Lucas, we lived near Modesto," he recalls. “I learned to drive early, on trucks around the farm, and was always drawing cars – mostly Ed Roth-style hot rods - and aircraft.”
Early artistic heroes for Mattos were Syd Mead and Charlie White III. While not from artistic roots, his talent was encouraged and eventually led to enrolment at the ArtCenter College of Design in LA. Airbrush art eventually became his signature style and, as a master of the medium in the 1980s, his commissions kicked off with record-sleeve artwork, magazine illustrations and event posters. “Having worked on a farm, I was at home with the hardware back then,” he says. “My most difficult challenge has been the switch from analogue to digital tools.”
This story is from the March 2022 edition of Classic & Sports Car.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2022 edition of Classic & Sports Car.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
RAY HILLIER
Double-chevron oddity proves a break from the norm for this Crewe specialist
SHORT BACK & GLIDES
Eccentric enthusiast Captain RG McLeod's series of Manx-tailed Bentley Specials reached its zenith with this unique S2 Continental.
People's choice
The diminutive but multi-million-selling Fiat 850 packed a remarkable diversity of form and function into its compact footprint
PLASTIC BREAKS FROM THE NORM
Glassfibre revolutionised niche car-body production, but just occasionally strayed into the mainstream.
A SENSIBLE SUPERCAR
The cleverly conceived four-seater Elite secured Lotus a place at the big players' table, but has it been unfairly maligned since then?
"I had a habit of grabbing second place from the jaws of victory"
From dreams of yachting glory to the Le Mans podium, via a stint at the top of the motorsport tree, Howden Ganley had quite the career
Still going strong
Herbert Engineering staked its reputation on the five-year warranty that came with its cars. A century on, this Two Litre hasn't made a claim
One for the kids
General Motors was aiming squarely at the youth market with the launch of the Pontiac GTO 60 years ago, and its runaway success popularised the muscle-car movement
A NEW BREED OF HERO
Launched at the turn of the millennium, the GT3 badge has already earned a place alongside RS, CS and turbo in Porsche lore.
Brits with SIX appeal
The straight-six engine is synonymous with a decades-long legacy of great British sports cars. Six variations on the sextet theme convene for comparison
