If you’re a hot rod, custom or race car enthusiast you might not realize this, but you’ve probably already had contact with Greg Tedder and his art. In fact, you might find you’re an aficionado of this superb artist’s work and didn’t even know it. That’s because you’re probably wearing it. Yep, Greg Tedder is one of the most prolific and respected automotive silk screen artists around. Of course he’s an accomplished fine artist to boot, but it’s his vividly graphic automotive designs applied to apparel that have become the epitome of the imprinted sportswear world and the standard by which most other silk screen artworks are judged. So, if you know him through his award winning T-shirt designs, fine art prints or other artistic accomplishment or, you’re just getting to know him – Motorburg is proud to acquaint you with this talented artist and to present a new fine art collection of his colorful and exciting works.

The artist’s formative years were spent in Santa Monica California from the mid 40’s to the early 60’s. Greg offers this bit of insight into his upbringing and we assume it’s in order of importance, “Santa Monica was a great place for a kid to grow up back then… rock & roll, hot rods, surfing and of course chasing the “babes” were all on the menu.” Sounds like a pretty “full plate” to us. He goes on to say, “I always loved to draw and I spent more time doodling in class than paying attention to any boring history or math lessons. Of course my chosen subject matter was always either cars or monsters. Ed Roth, and all of the artist that were published in car mags like Rod & Custom as well as Mad Magazine were a big influence on me… and don’t let me forget the art of Salvador Dali – his surrealism really blew me away.”

Greg further recalls that one of the earliest and strongest influences on his artistic endeavors, were the sounds, smells and visual excitement of regular visits to the old Culver City Speedway. “That’s what really started it all”, he says. “That race track with its beautiful full bodied and finely finished midget racers had a profound affect and the magic of those long ago moments are still with me today”. Later on, while still in High School, he began spending most of his weekends at the Pomona and Lions Drag Strip. That led to a once a year pilgrimage to the “The Smokers” March meet in Bakersfield where he got to see all the greats like; Greer, Black and Prudhomme – Garlits, Thompson and the Stone, Woods & Cook crew.

After High School his folks moved up to Oroville in Northern California where they managed a Go-Kart track as Greg became of age. As we’re all prone to do at that time of our lives, he began frequenting some of the local watering-holes and of course he gravitated to those that featured live bands… hey, rock & roll and women – a natural inclination. So it happened that Greg, always having a penchant for music and a talent for the keyboards, was soon sitting in on some sessions. It wasn’t long before he had put his own band together. Success was enough that he spent several years on the road with his own show group playing places as diverse and distant as Anchorage and Kodiak Alaska, as well as warmer climes like the hot spots in Las Vegas.

As his musical gig came to a close, he found work as a display director for a major retail store. That lasted several years and he gained valuable experience in fashion and marketing… things that would serve him well in the visual art career that was about to blossom. At a time when Greg says he was a little “down and out”, and living in of all places – Venice, CA, an artistic opportunity came a’ knockin”. A friend of his, knowing of Greg’s abundance of talent, asked if he’d be interested in doing a T-shirt design for a self promotion. Of course he accepted the challenge and that was the start of a renewed interest in art, a livelihood that eventually encompassed his automotive passions and subsequently – an award winning career.

From that little “T-shirt job on the side” Greg quickly branched out to promotional designs for local drivers from Ascot Speedway and eventually wound up doing all the designs for the NHRA. From there he caught the attention of many of the top stars in drag racing and that graphic exposure led to such lucrative clients as the RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co., where he did countless designs for Winston Cup events as well. Later he teamed up with Arizona Sport Shirt which brought him even further national attention in the performance graphics field. Then came an association with the Brizio’s of Andy’s T’s which served to highlight his hot rod and custom car expertise. Having said all that and realizing we’ve only skimmed the high spots of a brilliant and continuing career… it’s easy to see why at some time or another you might have come in pretty close contact with Greg Tedder – his art is probably on the front of a favorite shirt that you wear so proudly.

Speaking of “proudly”, that’s exactly how we at Motorburg feel about representing a new facet in Greg’s career… an offering of exquisite fine art prints. If you’ve only worn one before, it’s time to bring his magnificent artwork inside and finally – hang one on the wall.

–CS

You can browse Greg’s Motorburg Shop in the Mall HERE.