Marc McKee

American artist

Marc McKee is an American graphic artist known for his stylistic cartoon skateboard deck designs during the 1980s and 1990s. For his work as the lead graphic artist for World Industries, he is recognized as one of the most influential artists in skateboarding history.[1]

Biography

Marc McKee grew up in Marin County in Northern California.[2]

Before Marc's Art career took off he was BMXer sponsored by Skyway BMX for riding flatland.He has a riding part in the poplular Dorkin' In York 3 video. Marc went on to do graphics for RL Osborn's company Bully in 1989 and met Steve Rocco through RL.

In 1989, McKee was discovered by Steve Rocco of World Industries and was hired on as designer. In that role, he created Devil Man, Flame Boy and Wet Willy as the brand's mascots. The mascots reached a larger audience in their use on apparel and the brand took off in the mid-1990s and was sold in 1998 for $29 million. While at World Industries, he was also an editor of Rocco's Big Brother magazine, of which he was a part owner.[3][4] Like other World Industries art, McKee's work was recognized for its uncensored content and themes;[5] something McKee has continued to further in his post-World-Industries career.[6]

During the 1990s, McKee was also employed by Hustler magazine and published a number of his stylistic cartoons for a special "naughty" Christmas carols series.[5]

In 2011, McKee exhibited a portion of his historical work during Milan Design Week.[7]

Bibliography

  • The Art of Marc McKee, Winston Tseng, Marc McKee. Mark Batty Publisher, 2011.[8]

References

  1. ^ Marc McKee: the art of graphics by Chris Nieratko (ESPN.com, 21 March 2011)
  2. ^ "WHY ARE SKATEBOARD GRAPHICS SO VANILLA NOW? A CHAT WITH MARC MCKEE". Jenkem Magazine. 2014-05-29. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
  3. ^ Clifton, Jamie; Caines, Jason (2018-12-13). "Marc Mckee On Designing Some of the Most Iconic Graphics in Skateboarding". Vice. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
  4. ^ "THE HISTORY OF WORLD INDUSTRIES AND ITS $29 MILLION DOLLAR SALE". Jenkem Magazine. 2014-09-23. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
  5. ^ a b Meet the Nieratkos - Marc McKee (Vice Magazine, 2012)
  6. ^ Marc McKee and Sean Cliver Talk Skateboard Art Archived 2011-02-19 at the Wayback Machine by Jay Riggio (Huck Magazine, 24 June 2008)
  7. ^ Marc McKee at Bastard Store (Behind Magazine, 26 April 2011)
  8. ^ Tseng, Winston; McKee, Marc (2011). The Art of Marc McKee. Mark Batty Publisher. ISBN 9781935613237.