The following biography has been provided by James J. Krieger of J. J. Krieger & Associates, Llc., art publisher and six year personal friend of the artist.

Long established, internationally renowned science fiction, fantasy illustrator.

John Berkey began as a prodigy painter for the Brown and Bigelow calendar company in Minnesota doing representational work, but eventually became widely known for a talent to create dramatic, futuristic spacescapes. In the 1960's he declined Stanley Kubrick's invitation to relocate to England to do the film "A Space Odyssey 2001", but later accepted George Lucas' invitation to be the original illustrator for "Star Wars". Other film work included "Star Trek", "The Neptune Factor"...