Johannes in retroland

Art Fitzpatrick began his career designing cars. At 20, he designed the Darrin Packard 4-door convertible and hard top sedans, and at 22 was a consulting designer to General Electric. After World War II service as a Naval Officer, he turned to advertising design and illustration, beginning with 8 years of Mercury, including 4 years of Lincoln ads. Before GM obtained his exclusive services (20 years worth), he did ads for Nash, Plymouth, Chrysler, Kaiser and Studebaker. During these years, he also did art, graphic and product design for other Fortune 500 clients.

Van Kaufman went from art school to Walt Disney Studios, where he became a key animator and director. He served in the Army Air Force in the war, producing and directing training films. Back to Disney, he then left to travel and live in Europe for a while, and then to New York and advertising and editorial art. In 1951 Fitz, having admired Van’s art for an Italian Line campaign, suggested him for the backgrounds on the Mercury ads.
That began a 24 year collaboration and a 43 year friendship that lasted until Van’s death in 1995.

Bron: www.fitz-art.com