Michael Whalen on campus April 12, 2005

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For over 30 years, Michael Whelan has been one of the world’s premier fantasy and science fiction artist.  He has done more than 350 book and album covers for authors and artists like Stephen King, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, the Jacksons, and Meatloaf.  His clients have included every major U.S. book publisher in addition to much diverse companies as National Geographic and The Franklin Mint.  The most honored science fiction and fantasy artist ever, Whelan has won an unprecedented 15 Hugo Awards (the SciFi “Oscar”), 3 World Fantasy awards (the most for any artist) and the Superhugo as the best artist of the last 50 years.  The readers of LOCUS magazine (for SciFi Insiders) have named him Best Professional Artist24 times in their annual poll—including 2004.  Also in 2004 he was awarded the Grand Master Award from the Spectrum Annual of the Best in Fantastic Art.  His other awards include a Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators and a Grumbacher Gold Medal.

Michael has had 3 art books published as well as numerous prints, calendars, and licensed products such as greeting

 cards, t-shirts and sculptures.  He is a member of the Graphic Artists Guild and the Society of Illustrators in New York City and is on the Advisory Board for the M.F.A. program at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Connecticut as well as the new Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in Seattle, Washington.

Michael Whelan’s cover art initially appeals to the viewer because of its eye-catching color and composition, but it also contains layers of meaning waiting to be discovered and explored.

In recent years, he has been devoting more time to his fine art and he just returned from the prestigious 2004 Conference on Representational Painting where he was a panelist.  Although he enjoys the challenge of bringing an author’s world to life, his personal works take us into the surreal world of his own imagination.

To view more of Michael's work, visit www.michaelwhalen.com

 

Acrylics on Illustration Board
(Del Rey Books, 1982)
30 x 20"
1982

Michael explains the process

The students study Michael's work
 

 

 

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