Ioannis

BIOGRAPHICAL OUTLINE

Ioannis, was born in Athens, Greece.  In 1967 he emigrated with his family to the United States. At an early age he was influenced by American comic, animation, fantasy art  and rock music. He decided after purchasing a copy of Views by Roger Dean that he wanted to pursue a career  in Record Cover Design and comic book art.
He began receiving commissions by local bands to design event posters and logos for them while attending Notre Dame high school, Later on he received a scholarship and attended the University of Bridgeport  art school where he majored in painting and graphic design under  Professor Cuneo.

He was still in college when he painted and designed his first record album cover and art directed his first MTV video in 1983 for Sony Records.

In 1999 Ioannis’ Record Cover painting for the group “Art in America” (1983 Epic /SonyRecords) was featured in the book  “1000 Record Covers” by Michael Ochs as one of the best covers in a collection that spans forty years.

By the summer of 1985 he was working at the famous management company  Lieber and Krebs designing logos and tour posters for their list of clients. He also designed a number of metal covers for Metal Blade records among them his legendary artwork for prog metal act Fates Warning. At that time he also became involved and  designed the logo and brand identity for a number or rock radio stations for radio programmer Lee Abrams.

By 1988 he was the artist for Dan Neer’s legendary syndicated Radio program Up Close , doing customized limited edition CD designs for each interview which featured every major rock act of the decade. He also became the creative director for Mechanic records. MCA  and designed covers and promotional material for all their releases most notable DREAM THEATER and VOIVOD. He also started to receive commissions from other companies and labels who wanted to tap into his artwork and art direction. Most notably the platinum selling act EXTREME.

He took a break in 1991 after the death of his mother. In the summer of  1994 with his brother  George  heformed Vivid Images Design recently renamed Vivid Images Creative, offering full services for entertainment and media clients.
Major clients have  included  Universal Music, Sony Music, STARZ , IFC films, EMI, Virgin Records, Tribune,  and XM radio. Ioannis also has designed over 165 record covers, and singles, for such groups as  DEEP PURPLE, URIAH HEEP, STYX,  BLUE OYSTER CULT, DREAM THEATER, KING CRIMSON, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BIOHAZARD, SEPULTURA, LYNYRD SKYNYRD,  FATES WARNING, QUIET RIOT, DOKKEN, JOHNNY WINTER, EXTREME, UFO, OVERKILL, THE TUBES, EDDIE MONEY, VAN ZANT, TREY GUNN, SAGA, CGT, among others.

In 2000 he exhibited his work at VH-1, and created a series of limited edition signed prints from his artwork that adorned the covers of Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blue Oyster Cult, STYX .

This led him to launch   Dangerous  Age Graphics in 2005 as the demand by fans for signed prints of his work grew as the requests for exhibits and appearances. He has been interviewed by international music magazines  and websites and has exhibited nationally. His limited edition signed prints and originals have been made available through various commercial outlets and online stores, and he has exhibited at galleries in San Francisco and the East coast.

In 2006 he joined the TJ Martell Foundation for Cancer research at the request of his friend Ron Hartenbaum and began creating Limited edition signed prints to raise money for the foundation. Most notable The Allman Brothers Band with Bob Weir and Ratdog tour art that was signed by Ioannis and the band members.

In 2007 he sold a number of original paintings of his cover artwork bringing in prices in the excess of  twenty to  fifty thousand dollars.

In 2009 Michael Goldstein  of the POP ROCK Gallery acquired and is representing a series of exclusive fine art prints of Ioannis work. A series of exhibits is being planned for the future including a merchandise line for retail outlets.

He resides on the coast of Connecticut in northern New England  which is a constant source of inspiration with his wife Lisa McKeever, daughter Maria and a budgie named Philip.