Greg Spradlin

By Tom Strongman
Greg Spradlin can’t believe he’s actually living out his dream of drawing cars. You see, when Spradlin was young, his dad insisted he take business courses in college because “he couldn’t see me getting into art.”

So Spradlin took business courses, but he always drew cars. He said that as a youngster, “My idea of a perfect evening was to watch old Elvis movies on television and draw cars with my drawing pad on my lap.”

Spradlin, originally from Stuart, Va., began working on a loading dock for Champion sportswear in North Carolina. His constant doodles attracted the attention of fellow workers, and he eventually ended up in the company’s art department.

Spradlin moved to Kansas City in 1996, where his day job is the Internet/Creative Dept. Manager of King Louie International. At night, however, Spradlin works on illustrating cars.

Spradlin’s interest in cars stems, in part, from his dad, who upholstered cars. His dad’s knowledge of cars was so detailed, Spradlin said, that he once reupholstered the bare interior of a 1940 Ford simply from memory. Spradlin brings the same level of detail work to his illustrations.

What began as a hobby has blossomed into a part-time job that just keeps growing. Spradlin does commissioned work for publications such as Rod & Custom, Hemmings Motor News, Sport Truck, Speed & Chrome and Octane Magazine. He sells his artwork on his web site, www.gregspradlin.com.

Spradlin used to create his illustrations with an airbrush, but about five years ago he began experimenting with Adobe Illustrator on his computer. He now works exclusively in Illustrator, which is amazing given the level of detail he draws. His reflections on chrome parts contain miniature pictures of the car’s surroundings. Look closely at his Two Scoops illustration, for instance, and you can see the reflection of other cars in the side of the Mustang.

Nearly four years ago, Spradlin met Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, legendary hot rod painter, illustrator and car designer, at a Kansas City auto show. Back in the 1950s and 1960s, Big Daddy airbrushed T-shirts to earn money to build cars. He is best known for his Rat Fink character. Spradlin and Roth spent a lot of time talking at that show, and Roth came back to Spradlin’s house for dinner. Roth engaged Spradlin to draw some of his cars for a poster. Spadlin also helped him design a Web site. When Roth died suddenly of a heart attack, Spradlin worked with Roth’s widow to finish the Web site.

Spradlin and his goatee look amazingly like a young Ed Roth. I think he feels a kinship to the man, and he continues to honor Roth’s work by maintaining a Web site for Roth’s wife.

To get in touch with Tom Strongman, send e-mail to tstrongman@kc.rr.com.



Greg Spradlin's automotive art
By Tom Strongman Greg Spradlin can’t believe he’s actually living out his dream of drawing cars. You see, when Spradlin was young, his dad insisted he take business courses in college because “he couldn’t see me getting into art.” So Spradlin took business courses, but he always drew cars. He said that as a youngster, “My idea of a perfect evening was to watch old Elvis movies on television and draw cars with my drawing pad on my lap.” Spradlin, originally from Stuart, Va., began working on a loading dock for Champion sportswear in North Carolina. His constant doodles attracted the attention of fellow workers, and he eventually ended up in the company’s art department. Spradlin moved to Kansas City in 1996, where his day job is the Internet/Creative Dept. Manager of King Louie International. At night, however, Spradlin works on illustrating cars. Spradlin’s interest in cars stems, in part, from his dad, who upholstered cars. His dad’s knowledge of cars was so detailed, Spradlin said, that he once reupholstered the bare interior of a 1940 Ford simply from memory. Spradlin brings the same level of detail work to his illustrations. What began as a hobby has blossomed into a part-time job that just keeps growing. Spradlin does commissioned work for publications such as Rod & Custom, Hemmings Motor News, Sport Truck, Speed & Chrome and Octane Magazine. He sells his artwork on his web site, www.gregspradlin.com. Spradlin used to create his illustrations with an airbrush, but about five years ago he began experimenting with Adobe Illustrator on his computer. He now works exclusively in Illustrator, which is amazing given the level of detail he draws. His reflections on chrome parts contain miniature pictures of the car’s surroundings. Look closely at his Two Scoops illustration, for instance, and you can see the reflection of other cars in the side of the Mustang. Nearly four years ago, Spradlin met Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, legendary hot rod painter, illustrator and car designer, at a Kansas City auto show. Back in the 1950s and 1960s, Big Daddy airbrushed T-shirts to earn money to build cars. He is best known for his Rat Fink character. Spradlin and Roth spent a lot of time talking at that show, and Roth came back to Spradlin’s house for dinner. Roth engaged Spradlin to draw some of his cars for a poster. Spadlin also helped him design a Web site. When Roth died suddenly of a heart attack, Spradlin worked with Roth’s widow to finish the Web site. Spradlin and his goatee look amazingly like a young Ed Roth. I think he feels a kinship to the man, and he continues to honor Roth’s work by maintaining a Web site for Roth’s wife. To get in touch with Tom Strongman, send e-mail to tstrongman@kc.rr.com.