A rare, authentic piece of mid-century American comic history: an original hand-drawn production master by celebrated Midwestern illustrator John Biernat.
Titled "I Love Cats," this piece features Biernat’s signature dark humor—showing a long, lazy alligator with a striped cat's tail dangling subtly from its jaws.
Unlike the mass-produced lithograph prints commonly found on the market, this is a verified studio original. The reverse side features the authentic Biernat Graphics studio stamp from its historic operating address at 9029 W. Hawthorne Ave. Milwaukee, WI. The artwork showcases incredible hand-inked cross-hatching textures, custom script lettering, and a vibrant watercolor wash. It comes housed in its original, vibrant 1970s/1980s pop-blue frame.
CONDITION REPORT
Artwork: Excellent vintage condition. The ink remains incredibly sharp and the watercolor colors are vivid. No water damage, tearing, or staining.
Frame: Original vintage wood frame. Shows minor, authentic cosmetic edge-wear/scuffing consistent with age (see photos), which adds to its retro charm. Ready to hang.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY: JOHN BIERNAT
John Biernat was a prominent 20th-century American cartoonist, commercial illustrator, and publisher based out of Michigan and Wisconsin. Operating primarily during the 1970s and 1980s, Biernat established a dedicated national following through his independent publishing house, Biernat Graphics.
He became highly regarded for his distinct, lighthearted artistic style characterized by hyper-detailed pen-and-ink cross-hatching, anthropomorphic animal characters, and a sly, dry sense of humor. His stylized wildlife cartoons, sports illustrations, and comedic gags were widely distributed across the United States as collectible lithograph prints, greeting cards, and porcelain plates.
Today, Biernat's work is collected by enthusiasts of vintage Americana, retro advertising art, and classic comic illustration. While his commercial prints are highly nostalgic, hand-rendered original master illustrations featuring the official Biernat Graphics studio stamp are exceptionally rare and highly sought after by art collectors.
A rare, authentic piece of mid-century American comic history: an original hand-drawn production master by celebrated Midwestern illustrator John Biernat.
Titled "I Love Cats," this piece features Biernat’s signature dark humor—showing a long, lazy alligator with a striped cat's tail dangling subtly from its jaws.
Unlike the mass-produced lithograph prints commonly found on the market, this is a verified studio original. The reverse side features the authentic Biernat Graphics studio stamp from its historic operating address at 9029 W. Hawthorne Ave. Milwaukee, WI. The artwork showcases incredible hand-inked cross-hatching textures, custom script lettering, and a vibrant watercolor wash. It comes housed in its original, vibrant 1970s/1980s pop-blue frame.
CONDITION REPORT
Artwork: Excellent vintage condition. The ink remains incredibly sharp and the watercolor colors are vivid. No water damage, tearing, or staining.
Frame: Original vintage wood frame. Shows minor, authentic cosmetic edge-wear/scuffing consistent with age (see photos), which adds to its retro charm. Ready to hang.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY: JOHN BIERNAT
John Biernat was a prominent 20th-century American cartoonist, commercial illustrator, and publisher based out of Michigan and Wisconsin. Operating primarily during the 1970s and 1980s, Biernat established a dedicated national following through his independent publishing house, Biernat Graphics.
He became highly regarded for his distinct, lighthearted artistic style characterized by hyper-detailed pen-and-ink cross-hatching, anthropomorphic animal characters, and a sly, dry sense of humor. His stylized wildlife cartoons, sports illustrations, and comedic gags were widely distributed across the United States as collectible lithograph prints, greeting cards, and porcelain plates.
Today, Biernat's work is collected by enthusiasts of vintage Americana, retro advertising art, and classic comic illustration. While his commercial prints are highly nostalgic, hand-rendered original master illustrations featuring the official Biernat Graphics studio stamp are exceptionally rare and highly sought after by art collectors.
