Adventure in the 21st Century! STAND BY FOR ACTION!!

I found this in an old collector's store, it's a British Gerry Anderson hardcover"Annual" from 1967!!Man, this was what it was all about for me. I like all aspects of science fiction. From the heady stuff to the fun, pop culture stuff-like this. I was and am a huge fan of Thunderbirds, Stingray,Captain Scarlet, FIREBALL XL-5 and later UFO and SPACE:1999. These annuals were afternoons of fun for me. The pictures always cool and the comics always fun to re-read. This was a monthly magazine and, into each year, they'd do an "annual" that was a hardcover "Best of" with new stuff added. We didn't have iPods or DVD players or video games. Some people ask me what it was like to live in those "dark ages" and my answer is "it was simple". This item was sold to me for a mere $20. Imagine, $20 to buy back your childhood!!! Originally it probably sold for something like 50-75 cents if I am doing the UK currency right. This was part of what got me into drawing and doing what I like doing. And all took place in that far off "21st Century" when everything was "The future" Ha! Well, we're HERE and I have one question: Where IS International Rescue now??? We need you!!!!

Turner would be turning in his grave...

It's time for UK's vaunted The Turner Prize. Sponsored by The Tate Modern, it's a large cash award for a piece of art. A few years ago one of the finalists entered a plagerized painting from an SF bookcover by artist Tony Roberts(he did it in the 70's) and saw nothing wrong. The "art" ranges from the sublime to the ridiculous and this year is no exception with a focus on the "ridiculous".

JMW Turner, whom the prize is named in honor of, would probably be turning in his grave if he saw what "prize" was named in his honor. Turner was only the greatest painter from England, ever. He's a huge inspiration on me as well.

Anyway, take a look and a read to understand further!

http://tinyurl.com/3f4a36

THE ART CORNER-SHOW 10/3/08

( I look so tired in this photo, the guy next to me looks better. That's what happens when you're THAT busy!)

Here's a preview of the exhibit Marianne and I have at The Art Corner in Salem Mass, this week. In fact the opening is on our 10th Wedding Anniverssary! Whoa!! 10 years!? It'll be a selection of smaller recent works and, some larger older ones for me.

The opening party is at the Gallery this Friday 3rd October - 6-9pm. If you have a chance to stop by, we'd love to see you... Refreshments will be served.

She and I currently have photos of our displays on our blogs, her's is:

Daub du Jour - http://daubdujour.blogspot.com/Bob's Art du Jour -

The address for the gallery is:

The Art Corner
231 Washington Street
Salem, Ma 01970
Ph: 978-745-9524
artcornersalem@verizon.net

THE CHINESE FINGER TRAP: Artist's Block

SOMETHING ELSE THEY DON'T TEACH YOU IN ART SCHOOL-Artist's Block.

I had a rare problem this last week. I had an "Artist's Block". You've heard the expression "Writer's Block". It's close. I found myself in the middle of a pile of projects. I guess that could be a good thing these days. Illustrating about six bookcovers and, in one case, I got honestly stuck. I mean, it was the book which contained three stories so this made it somewhat of a problem. The problem was the lacking of ideas was causing me to become doubtful and feeling bad about my other ideas for other projects. That can be disasterous.

The first thing I did was get away. I got out of my studio and out of the state to Salem, Mass to deliver artwork for a show we're doing there(more in the next post on that). The rain, the dreary day, and getting away to a historic coastal location, instantly gave me an idea then, on how to proceed on this piece.

So, I jettisoned all the ideas I had. And Winslow Homer.... gave me the answer. His epic sea paintings showed me that, in this case, less-is-better. With all due respect to authors, sometimes artists need to completely go another direction and be less connected to the actual story, at least narratively. The problem with Fantasy and Science Fiction illustration is that, the very genre gives it this "box" that can be hard to escape from. It's good to follow the story, or at least the mood, but, narrative art should not always be the final goal. There seems to be this rule or some kind of regulation that art has to stick solely to the text. Sometimes, again, with apologies to authors, the text is often not that descriptive nor, the descriptions visually interesting. That isn't to say the story isn't great or does not have a great mood. So, taking a hint from artists like Turner, Constable, Homer and others...go for the mood. As I get older I realize that capturing a mood is far more important to a piece than is, a piece based on every single word written.

So doing art can be sometimes like a Chinese finger trap-the more you tug and pull and panic, the tighter the grip gets on your fingers and the more confused you get...so....relax and let go, and it simply falls off. Much the same way an idea just falls into your head. Sometimes you just let it happen.

Collapsing Universes...and Paul Newman RIP

(Did you really think I'd stop blogging? Almost daily? Me?)

I'm really convinced the Super Collider DID do something to send us all into an alternate universe of weird Presidential races, VP candidates(and you know who I mean) and collapsing financial institutions that are sending the world to the brink of an abyss. Is this really the same universe?? I've felt very much like the protagonist in the 1985 film THE QUIET EARTH wherein a scientist on the verge of death as a molecular experiment takes place, wakes to find himself on an earth devoid of humans and in the end, finds he's actually been sent to an alternate universe of some kind.

Heard today as did everyone that the great Paul Newman had passed away at 83. What can be said that hasn't been? He was one of my personally favorite actors. He did good in anything. His last movie role was in the 2006 animated Pixar film CARS doing a voice over. MY favorite roles of his? Where to start? BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID(1969), THE STING(1973) or THE COLOR OF MONEY(1986) for which he won an Academy Award for the re-creation of an older version of a role he'd played over two decades before, that of Fast Eddie Felson. Newman was also in the spectacular Irwin Allen disaster film THE TOWERING INFERNO(1974).

As to his SFnal work-he was in the quiet 1970's climate change thriller QUINTET, depicting a future earth where a new ice age has frozen over much of the human race. It was certainly a low profile film, but for sure, science fiction. Also, and you may be surprised at this: he was the original Studio choice(MGM) to play astronaut Frank Poole in 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY but apparently wanted too much money, and instead, the rather lesser known, but talented actor Gary Lockwood-after making the 2nd pilot to STAR TREK in the US-was offered the role.

All I can say is the guy earned his wings. With his charity donations via his food company NEWMAN'S OWN, he's changed lives. Not to mention his work with kids who had cancer and were recovering. It was lung cancer that finally did him in. He'll be sorely missed and, the one sorrow is he never got to make that final "reunion" film with Robert Redford whom he worked with and had so much chemistry.

More thoughts and pix next week....provided the universe doesn't change again...

The New England Fan Experience!

This looks to be fun. I'm scheduled to be a Guest at a local(for me, Boston is VERY local) Sci Fi con called The New England Fan Experience. It seems to be several conventions in one. Guests include Lea Thompson, George Takei and astronaut Story Musgrave(who I actually know fairly well). Looks to be fun, weather, electorial and financial apocalypses withstanding. I'm not doing as many con appearances of late just because I'm busy and tired but, this looks to be alot of fun which is why I'll be there.

Their website is here: http://www.nefe.us/

Blogging for me may getting a little more sparse and spread out. Not sure how many people come back anymore and I'll admit the content and focus has changed. And it's getting busy and again, that middle-age tiredness sets in. So it will be more weekly than daily, I predict.

Calling Your Attention to a Cool Book!

I got to spend some time with David Weber at this past Bubonicon in New Mexico where I shared being a Guest of Honor with him. By coincidence, his WORLDS OF WEBER "brick" book with my cover painting-a portrait of a "young"(read that 15-17) Honor Harrington-appeared around the same time. I chose a portrait because it seemed that "action" is better covered elsewhere in this context, and my instincts were right. Weber himself not only a great writer, but he's just a great guy, in fact his whole family are what I call genuine people.

He's created an real following with his work, and, while it's SF, the following tends to reach outside the genre.

Anyway, a bit of a plug ever so shamelessly, that this thick(trust me it's thick!) tome is available now from Subterranean Press: http://www.subterraneanpress.com/ and it's signed by Weber himself!

New Mexico Skies....

New Mexico Sunset(8x10, oils, $100)
I was in New Mexico in August and painted this. The skies are fairly amazing there at sunset. The strange "curtains" hanging down are created by downdrafts in the clouds and are verga-basically rain that doesn't reach the ground. At sunset it creates some fairly spectacular shows. I was snapping all kinds of sky and cloud pix while there. Like anywhere you go, the sky is truly unique to it's locale, despite it's all the same atmosphere.

From the Cape...

Sunset,Cape Cod (8x10,oils $110)
On Nauset Beach with Clouds(8x10,oils $110)
The great things about going to Cape Cod at the end of the summer is that it's still warm and nice, it's off-season so hotels are cheap and and beaches are uncrowded and free to get into. It's possible to watch a sunset over the ocean on the inner Cape, and the next morning, if early enough, see a sunrise on the other side looking out to the Atlantic. And seals. Lots of seals. There was definately a hint of Fall in the air, no matter how one looked at it and variable clouds here and there only added to the mood and interest. It's really not a summer until I have been to the Cape in some way or for some time. This was a couple of days off, just sitting on the beach alot, and then exploring some backroads. All very nice. And I did these two little paintings during the time.

And more England...

English Landscape #3(oils, 8x10, SOLD)
English Landscape #4(8x10,oils, SOLD) How I love painting landscapes. I think it's truly become my first love with regards to how one can capture mood, very fast this way. Again, it's that "Autumnal" look parts of England can attain. Especially at sunset with clouds and the reaction of that diffused light at dusk, on the sky. I should do some bigger more layered 'scapes. These ones are quickies, done in one sitting which is the point, to see how I can do one in one dash. Enjoy!

As the Hurricane passed...

Hurricane Tide(8x10, oils SOLD!) We recently had what was left of a small hurricane pass a few hundred miles or so offshore. What that means is we have some of the most amazing white ocean surf that can be seen anywhere!! Here's something I did after visiting Beavertail, in Jamestown RI. The waves were spectacular and amazing. I took alot of shots for reference. It's the best way to capture sea like that and as much as the romantic idea of painting in the wind captures your heart, it's also a pain in the arse to get set up and stay set up without alot of people around you, etc.

Lots more paintings to come!

PAINTINGS!!! Finally!!!

English Dusk (8x10, oils SOLD)English Landscape(oils, 8x10, $110)
Well. I'm back to doing some paintings. I did a stack. Isn't this why I started this blog? As usual, my wandering attention and busy schedule throw me off. But as a bit of inspiration and, focus, I went back and did a stack of paintings. The reality is these are created for a show in Salem Mass coming up in Oct but, I wanted to "preview" them here if anyone wants them. One of the things I love about the English landscape is something Constable and Turner found-the lighting. At dusk there is almost this russet lighting, the likes of which aren't found anywhere else. Perhaps it's a combination of the type of trees and the landscape and such, which is alot of farmland. Anyway, it's always something that inspires me no end.

Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Sorry for the lack of posts, this week was a tough one. I am finishing a new cover to Heinlein's THE PUPPET MASTERS as well as I was interviewed by an archivist named Edward Schatz who came from California to interview Michael Whelan, Steve Hickman, myself and others as part of his project. It went well, what was supposed to be an hour turned into four and it all was on tape and I was coherent which was great. Usually I'm not too good at 9am with those kind of things ESPECIALLY on video, but that's when he showed up. His project is to record the lives of famous American visual artists and I was one of the six sci-fi guys he did. I'm rather honored because we became instant friends.

I have-really-a stack of paintings to post up, small ones.

It's also arrrr...fortunate....ya see...arrr...that I wasn't....rrrrrr...interviewed ya see...today matey because... ya see....today is...arrrr...arrrr...International Talk Like A Pirate Day...aarrrrr....shiver me timbers...I'm writing that way....arrrrr...too!

-Bluebeard Bob, Scourage of The West Bay

Joan Winston: RIP

I just learned sadly, that Joan Winston had passed away on Sept 11th. Joan, or "Joanie" was basically the "mother" of the New York Star Trek conventions-the first one in January 1972, which started off a phenomena that continues to this day. She was actively involved in SF fandom as well, knowing many authors and artists. She published several books but the first and best one was THE MAKING OF THE TREK CONVENTIONS(1979, Playboy Paperbacks) and it was a book I have read about 20 times. It's utterly hilarious in some places and heartfelt in others. My memory of Joan was that when I was rather young, she encouraged me to do more Trek drawings, and cartoons and send them around to fanzines and fan presses. Alot of fun, and I was paid in enjoyment and, notoriety that benefited me later in professional working. Joan and her committee created the original Star Trek conventions from 1972 to 1976 before "retiring" and letting others take over. She did them in the days when Trek stars came for plane fare and hotel room alone. Later, as the Studio got involved, lawyers got involved and it became large and for some, troublesome to pull off. But for me, I thank Joan for her kind words when I was trying to figure out what to make of what I was doing. Joan worked for CBS and ABC and other entertainment giants in NYC as I recall in various fashions. Her connections there enabled her to get some of the major Trek stars to the conventions.

She was 77 when she died, and this utterly stunned me because I saw her again but four years ago in 2004, at a Lunacon, and she looked still rather young. She apparently was a victim of that dreaded nemesis: dementia. She exhibited early,fleeting symptoms in 2005. Her last convention appearance would be in 2006 and apparently her health prompted her to stay in an Assisted Living facility in New York City, when she passed away in her sleep. When people and pieces of your past begin to pass on and fade like this, it's a rather dark feeling that you attempt to fight off because it surrounds and paralyzes you. And you do that by recalling all the GOOD memories...especially now in these confusing, and even terrifying times...

Joan, you will be missed...

Alot about Joan can be found here, at this link with alot of pictures and such:

http://www.simegen.com/sgfandom/rimonslibrary/cz/cz24/JoanWinston.html

The Last Science Fiction Writer....

Just to pop this in here. Subterranean Press has for pre-order a new book of short stories by Allen Steele-a good friend and collaborator of many years-and it's called THE LAST SCIENCE FICTION WRITER. This is a case where I did the art for this two years ago for Subterranean Magazine for the same story, and it was then decided it also worked great for the cover to the hardback of Allen's stories. Again, I love Gail Cross' design work for this. I did the art tongue in cheek and, it was a lucky piece because not only was I paid to created it, but someone bought the painting and now, I get paid again to have it on the cover of the hardback.

I went on a painting binge!

Just a quick one, to say as soon as the sun comes out I'll get photographing a PILE of new small paintings! I kind of went crazy and did alot. So they'll be up coming this week for all to enjoy. In the meantime work gets intense but...that's also a good thing. A few days of rest and beach at the Cape really worked for me...however now it's raining pretty solidly...

AT 48-"So where will all that goofy Sci Fi get you?"

Well, today I am 48. I like getting older, as it were. But I can remember back, oh, in 1975 when even the year 1999 seemed like "the future". And, imagine my thrill then when a new sci-fi series premiered called SPACE:1999 and in it, the moon is blasted out of earth's orbit on September 13th 1999. I can still hear "So, where will all that goofy sci-fi get you? How will that help you get a job?" from the naysayers, school "guidance counselors" and so on...

I rest my case.

Actually, I share this day with Barbara Bain who starred in the show.Say what you will about it, it was one of the shows that, early on, inspired me to get into space painting. Here's a look, if you don't remember that cool opening theme music!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DF9nDJZrdA

GOOD NEWS: THE UNIVERSE IS STILL HERE!

Apparently the Super Collider test was successful and we're all "okay". The "real" thing gets fired up in October apparently. There was alot of consternation and debate as to whether they'd create a black hole that would effectively suck the earth into itself over a period of years, literally a story right out of science fiction. See? We have devices now that are probing the secrets of the universe-we're living science fiction. How cool is that? The device was built on the border of Switzerland and France, largely by a Swiss and International team.

The US was supposed to build one but it was killed due to budget cuts. In a way it's a good thing.
I mean, think of a Swiss Banker or a Swiss Watch? And then, their US versions? Who ya gonna trust? I thought so.

Of course, I know black holes exist right here on earth, I didn't need the above experiment or multi-billion dollar device to convince me. I have one in my studio and I always am losing pencils, brushes and books into it....

In the meantime, I'm off to Cape Cod for a couple of days. They say a black hole, at the event horizon, slows time down. I need to slow time down myself and look at some beaches sans tourists.

The Moment

This was done for an upcoming issue-December -of THE MAGAZINE OF FANTASY &SF. I did a small version earlier this year and it came out so well I wanted to make a bigger 24 x30 painting of it, so here it is. I wanted to capture the old feel of 50's and 60's SF mags, which was sort of my point in doing it for F&SF.

Next Lumley...

This is the US TOR Edition version for Brian Lumley's HARRY AND THE PIRATES. We wanted a "skull and cross bones" motif, which at first I was not sure of but it worked. I did a wholly other cover for the British version back in April. Did it in oils, and as always, it's nice to work with Brian again. This is sized 18x24.

"Paying The Devil His Due...."

Sick of politics? I am. People who like to hear themselves talk about "God" and not deliver on one promise that goes beyond vacuous "belief in belief".

Well, here's a promise that is delivered on, screw the politicians and bury yourself in a bookazine you will LOVE and you can get it NOW:

IMAGINE FX-FANTASY ART EXHIBITION VOL 2

Just out in the US anyway, is the collection from the best of IMAGINE FX, a mag I contribute to on a regular basis. I couldn't get a picture of the cover but it's a thick tome and retails for about $26.00...it's called a "Bookazine" or in Japan, a "Mook". Anyway, it has a nice interview with me, and if you like, you can read the whole thing at the below link. But the book is worth getting- available at most Borders and Barnes & Noble as it has a wealth of great info and tips for artists to improve skills!!! And portfolios of some of the very best-Don Maitz, Fred Gambino,Daniel Dociu, Dave McKean and many more!

Here's the interview-enjoy!

http://www.imaginefx.com/02287754331526383232/bob-eggleton.html