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| "The Astrophysicist" courtesy of Michael Whelan CLICK TO EMBIGGEN FOR DETAIL |
FACTOID: Michael's signature is in every single painting. He disguises it like a "Where's Waldo" painting. Sometimes it's a coin on the ground, sometimes a shadow, but it's always there and never in the same place. It can even be the design on a scabbard (for a fantasy painting) or the detail on a shoe.
Yesterday in the comments, Cindy Borgne said, "I wonder how much he charges for a book cover. I need one." I have to chuckle. Roger Zelazny on his deathbed said his one wish was to have a Whelan cover. That's how prized this guy is by people who understand the industry of publishing. Consequently, Blizzard paid a fortune to have Whelan do a picture of Deathwing the Dragon for the launch of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm that reached some 14 million regular subscribers. Also Whelan is officially retired and has been for years. He only takes on personal projects that appeal to him (he has "F you money" at this point), and he only does covers for books that he has personally read. So factor that in...an artist who reads your entire book cover to cover before they begin to paint so that the feeling and symbolism are perfect.
It makes me wonder if Brandon Sanderson (who has had two Whelan covers at this point) even knows (or is humbled) by the fact that someone so great has painted his last two Robert Jordan books.
Wow he has a stunning way with color. His paintings are so vivid...
ReplyDeleteThink my favorite one with family members is his painting of him and his family having ice cream with aliens.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is totally into space and the stars and planets. She's been asking me a million questions about our galaxy, it's been great. I think she's old enough now to take her to one of my favorite places to visit, a planetarium.
ReplyDeleteHow weird is it that the picture planted a Joni Mitchell song in my head? (Big Yellow Taxi)
ReplyDeleteI wish I had F U money.
ReplyDeleteI seriously love the parking lot in that painting.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Couldn't find his sig in there though ... I'll look again after another cup of coffee. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou should send him your book as a gift. You never know...
ReplyDeleteAn artist who would read your book before designing the cover is more than special.
ReplyDeleteI think Brandon does. I've met him and he's a really down to earth guy. Very, Very, cool painting!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that about his signature. Very cool! I've always said I'd love a Whelan cover too. I love the ones on Friedman's Coldfire trilogy.
ReplyDeleteWhelan is indeed awesome!
ReplyDeleteAre you familiar with Michael Parkes? He's my favorite fantasy realist painter.
Michael Parkes
I have two of his prints framed in my living room. I lurve him
few are like whelan - and yes, few are like sanderson!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't see what it was until I embiggened, then it gave me chills!
ReplyDeleteKind of a lonely picture, but very cool.
ReplyDeleteI love this painting. And I agree with Brinda send your book as a gift. You never know. Thanks for tweeting my blog contest. I appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteLove this one.
ReplyDeleteLove the surrealism and symbolism in his work.
ReplyDeleteAn amazing talent!
ReplyDeleteOkay, you're starting to turn me into a serious Whelan fan. Now I'm gonna go look up some of his book covers - what an honor for those authors!
ReplyDeleteFabulous! Thank you for helping me remember there's art outside of writing. :)
ReplyDeleteI happened to notice that both these painting are in a parking lot.
ReplyDeleteAnd I see what I have to do now. I have to mail him a copy of my book. Now if I can just find the address. )
Interesting about the signature. Thanks again for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow! This is amazing! There is such innocence, curiosity, and wonder in this painting.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to be in a position to only pursue the projects you want. To me that painting is of the sky, and I notice the other details later.
ReplyDeleteSuch talent really is priceless.
ReplyDeleteWhalen is kind of the king of book covers. I'm sure Sanderson has been awed. He seems to have great deal of respect for the genre and the important figures it's had over the years.
ReplyDeleteThe Hobbit has left her hole!!! It's a miracle! LOL
ReplyDeleteAnd I didn't know that about his signatures being hidden. TOO COOL! I love that!
This guy's art is seriously good. I can see why he's sought after.
ReplyDeleteI like this picture better than yesterdays- so much about the wonder and mystery of life is contained in it.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Patrick- I wouldn't mind having FU money.
I thought your favorite painting was interesting and thought provoking yesterday... but this one... wow, I am in love with "The Astrophysicist". Thanks for turning me on to Whelan... I'm definitely going to look into him a bit more!
ReplyDeleteI like the artwork and who knows maybe someday he'll do one of your covers!
ReplyDeleteI'm going backwards through these pics. This one reminded me of my son. I have a picture of him lying in a parking lot at night, so of course it made me think of that. This one isn't nearly as flashy as the others, but I still love it. There's something really intrinsically appealing about this man's work. I'm so glad I came to your site tonight and saw all of these!!
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