He started sketching custom cars and hot rods in high school and his drawings helped land his first job pinstriping cars for Doug Thompson and Ray Hetrick’s custom car shop in Kansas City. Soon after graduation David and Al Burnett took off for Santa Monica, California, where he landed at Bay Area Muffler.
David Mann
Source: David Mann on Facebook
In California, David was immediately hooked on the custom “Choppers” that had begun dominating the biker culture of the late 1950's. After a short stay in Los Angeles he returned to Kansas City and bought his first motorcycle, a 1948 Harley-Davidson for $350.00. About the same time he created his first painting, “Hollywood Run.” The Harley and the painting were entered in the 1963 Kansas City Custom Car show. David’s was the only custom bike entry in the show, for his innovation the judges created a new class and a trophy.
At the show bike builder and artist Tom Fugle and Harlan “Tiny” Brower of the El Forastero Motorcycle Club in Sioux City took an interest in David’s artwork and showed a photo of Hollywood Run to Ed Roth, who was publishing Choppers Magazine at the time. Roth loved the painting and commissioned 10, or as many as 14 or 20, according to different sources of original posters.
Miller's Tavern Unpublished
Source: David Mann on Facebook
He also bought David’s second painting, The Tecate Run. at Roth’s insistence Dave made another trip to California and visited San Bernardino, where he met several legendary bikers. Throughout the 1960’s Dave painted 14 works for Roth. Ten were published and lithographed for posters.
In 1965, Dave went to work in the mail room at Scheffer Studios in Kansas City, where he met an architectural renderer, Dave Poole, who told him about the crazy, green, metal flaked motorcycle he’d heard of, it happened to be David’s. The next day, he rode the wild Harley to work, and another friendship was born. Recognizing David’s inherent talent, Dave Poole taught him architectural rendering and the proper use of an airbrush, which David incorporated into his art for many years.
In 1965, Dave went to work in the mail room at Scheffer Studios in Kansas City, where he met an architectural renderer, Dave Poole, who told him about the crazy, green, metal flaked motorcycle he’d heard of, it happened to be David’s. The next day, he rode the wild Harley to work, and another friendship was born. Recognizing David’s inherent talent, Dave Poole taught him architectural rendering and the proper use of an airbrush, which David incorporated into his art for many years.
Bait Shop, February 1983
Source: David Mann on Facebook
By 1967, David was developing into a full fledged architectural renderer, learning the intricacies of detail, reflection, exacting dimension, and mechanical perspective. He studied at Kansas City Art Institute. In the late 1960’s, Scheffer Studios moved to Clearwater, Florida, and David began allowing his abilities to reach into diverse subjects.
He studied Dali’s surrealism, trompe l’oeil, and fantasy, and he mastered the use of gouache and acrylics. His efforts didn’t go unrewarded. He began collecting "Best of Show" awards in Seminole Springs and Dunedin. His name was mentioned in the company of famous masters such as Rockwell and Leroy Neiman.
In 1971 he answered an advertisement for a “Motorcycle Artist” in the back of a new magazine called Easyriders, which focused on the biker “Lifestyle” as opposed to the the more technical aspects of motorcycles. By 1972 his artwork began appearing regularly in the magazine, and Mann’s relationship with Easyriders would continue for the rest of his life.
In 1971 he answered an advertisement for a “Motorcycle Artist” in the back of a new magazine called Easyriders, which focused on the biker “Lifestyle” as opposed to the the more technical aspects of motorcycles. By 1972 his artwork began appearing regularly in the magazine, and Mann’s relationship with Easyriders would continue for the rest of his life.
His art was reproduced as the magazine’s center spread beginning in 1973 and continued to be the publication’s centerpiece until he was forced to retire in 2003 due to his failing health.
Just before his death a custom motorcycle was commissioned in his honor from Orange County Choppers, to be featured in an episode of the reality television series American Chopper. The "David Mann Bike" featured custom artwork in Mann's style, but Mann died before it was completed.
The motorcycle served as a posthumous tribute to the David Mann, and his work was featured on the show. The episode was dedicated to Mann as well as Indian Larry, who had died about 2 weeks earlier. The episode was dedicated to Mann as well as Indian Larry, who had died about 2 weeks earlier.
Just before his death a custom motorcycle was commissioned in his honor from Orange County Choppers, to be featured in an episode of the reality television series American Chopper. The "David Mann Bike" featured custom artwork in Mann's style, but Mann died before it was completed.
The motorcycle served as a posthumous tribute to the David Mann, and his work was featured on the show. The episode was dedicated to Mann as well as Indian Larry, who had died about 2 weeks earlier. The episode was dedicated to Mann as well as Indian Larry, who had died about 2 weeks earlier.
Quotes:
"David's depictions of the biker lifestyle have, at times, been the most entertaining images in Easyriders magazine. We have always had David Mann's Easyriders centerfolds and posters adorning our shop, and I don't think I've ever been in a real custom motorcycle shop where I haven't seen at least one."
Source: Billy Lane: Chop Fiction: It's Not A Motorcycle Baby, It's A Chopper
Source: Billy Lane: Chop Fiction: It's Not A Motorcycle Baby, It's A Chopper
"Motorcycle memorabilia was plastered throughout Trader's, with Easyriders pinups, a mural- sized David Mann painting, tools, wrenches, and scooter parts."
Source: Ralph "Sonny" Barger - Dead in 5 Heartbeats
A collection of Mann’s work was published in 1993 and updated in 2004: that same year he was inducted into the motorcycle Hall of Fame by artist Billy Lane. David Mann died a day after his 64th birthday.
A collection of Mann’s work was published in 1993 and updated in 2004: that same year he was inducted into the motorcycle Hall of Fame by artist Billy Lane. David Mann died a day after his 64th birthday.
David Mann on Facebook: Facebook.com/DavidMannStore
Source: David Mann 50 Magnificent Works Of Motorcycle Art From Easyriders Book @ 1987
David Mann Eulogy by Tom Fugle: Weaselsusa.org/DavidMann
Source: David Mann 50 Magnificent Works Of Motorcycle Art From Easyriders Book @ 1987
David Mann Eulogy by Tom Fugle: Weaselsusa.org/DavidMann