The show/sale of Michael’s work will be held on May 13, 5PM-? at the VinYard in St. Paul, 631 Stryker Avenue, 55107. It’s a nondescript building with a very descript interior. Including Michael’s works.
– By Andy Lindberg – Do you have an original painting of a car in your den, garage or man cave? You know, one of those cars you’ve always admired. Maybe a painting that embodies what made you fall in love with it in the first place? If not, you have an incredible opportunity coming up. Michael Jekot is thinning the collection of paintings he has created over the past 60 years. They will be available for sale on May 13 at a combined art/car show at the VinYard in St. Paul. The VinYard is a privately owned and operated home (garage) for car enthusiasts. It provides storage and work areas for pampering your favorite automobile, and much of Michael’s automotive art is displayed there.
Who is Michael Jekot? If you’re reading this article, you may know his work. Michael has donated the artwork for most of the Spring Kick-Off posters for decades. His work also has been featured in Porsche Christophorus magazine. Why Porsche? Michael prefers post WW2 Soviet-bloc cars. But everyone has to start somewhere. He was the only one in the May Department Store’s office one day and answered the phone. The caller asked if they had someone with experience in car art. Michael didn’t exactly answer the question, and showed up later at the local Denver Porsche dealership. There he found that the owner was looking for paintings of all the Porsche vehicles from the 597 Jagdwagen to the most recent 911.
Although his father owned Lamborghinis (400 GT 2+2, and Miura) when he was a teen, Michael always had an affinity for Porsches. Over the years, he has owned an early 356, 356C and a 911 Carrera. His current mode of transportation is a Volkswagen ID.4 Pro.
When he moved to the Twin Cities in 1991, Michael connected with Bob Johnson Autosport in Shakopee. There he met Kevin Clemens and later did several cover art pieces including Kevin’s Peking to Paris book and The Crooked Mile. It isn’t easy providing for a wife and three kids on a freelance automotive artist’s feast or famine income.
Early in his career, to keep food on the table and provide insurance and pay medical bills, Michael worked for Ralston Purina dog food (yuck), and Orange Crush bottling (double yuck). Soon he realized that a position as an artist was more essential than a few extra dollars. He left Purina to take a position at Miller Stockman western wear store, and later moved into art departments at Macy’s, Lee Jeans, John Dougan designs, and Trader Joe’s. His freelance work continues with long-time clients and supporters.
At one time, Michael had a showing at a Porsche gathering. Business had been slow, but eventually an attendee walked into his exhibit and obviously connected with one of Michael’s paintings. This attendee had a wad of money in his hand, and Michael was thinking that he could eat for another week. but then the man said, “I can’t make up my mind between this painting and that rusty crankshaft in the flea market.” Finally he turned on his heel and said, ”I’m going to get the crankshaft.” I know many of you reading this article are rusty crankshaft aficionados. However, I’ll bet a painting of an Alfa 8C 2900 or Auto Union Type C navigating the Nürburgring would be worth more to you than another piece of automotive detritus.
Some essentials regarding Michael Jekot:
Born in Denver, Colorado, Michael attended the San Francisco Art Institute after high school, where he learned not how to paint but how to see as an artist. This is noticeable in the color, style, composition and perspective of his artwork.
Michael’s current prognosis: The road ahead is far shorter than the road thus far, he explained. Diagnosed with cancer in 2013, Michael has completed two rounds of intravenous chemotherapy, and he continues treatment with Lutetium 177, which makes him radioactive for a short while each month. A portion of the receipts from the art sale will be donated to cancer charities. Buy early and often.
He has three grown daughters and two grandchildren. His first wife of 46 years passed several years ago. Today he lives in West Saint Paul with his current wife Jean.
The show/sale of Michael’s work will be held on May 13, 5PM-? at the VinYard in St. Paul, 631 Stryker Avenue, 55107. It’s a nondescript building with a very descript interior. Including Michael’s works.