Monday, May 10, 2010

Rest In Masterpiece.

Well, dear friends, I know it's a bit early in the day for a drink, but let's fill them to the brim and raise them high.

I just got an e-mail from a friend informing me with teary praise that the world has just lost one of its finest artists.

Frank Frazetta (1928 - 2010) was one of the most gifted, successful fantasy artists of all time.

I suggest you go here and read all about his life and his amazing career; so much has been written about the man, all of it better than I could ever attempt.

I don't want to go posting images of the million paintings and comic book covers and posters and paperback covers and record sleeves and... but I thought I might post a few of his more monstery, Hallowe'eny works from the '60s  (and a couple from the '70s) that shall adorn the walls of this place in tribute from now on.

His subjects seemed to walk (or fly, or battle, whatever they were doing) in a world made of fluid and smoke --  sharply contrasted figures floating amid a background of colored oils, dripping stone, blood, blurriness, potions of dark fantasy poured with love and great care.

From 1944 at the age of 16 he was creating art for the comics world; by the '60s, he was the Master, and held that position of influence and honor until this very day.


It is simply impossible to overstate his importance and his influence.


Again, I urge you to seek for yourself All Things Frazetta.

The man made art history.

The man was art history.

Sadly, now he is himself 'history'.


Raise a glass, and remember.


DDSP.

1 comment:

  1. In the world of fantasy, there have been some wonderful artists. In the last half of the twentieth century most of them owe their careers to Frazetta's body of work. For us non-artists, we owe most of what we imagine our fantasy (and horror) heroes and villains to look like, His was a unique and powerful vision, and our world is much richer for his having been here.

    Requiescat in pace.

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