Frank Frazetta died a couple of weeks ago, and I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge his passing. I don't need to get too wordy, because anyone who is familiar with his work, and appreciates it, already knows all they need to know. On a personal note I do want to say that when I first discovered his work in the mid sixties, it literally hit me like a ton of bricks, and it's effect has never diminished. His imagination, sense of composition, and mastery of painting technique has been an inspiration to me for forty years. Frazetta's work, in the field of fantasy illustration has been imitated ad nauseum, but in my opinion never equaled.
A few more classic illustrations:
Thanks Frank.
Frank was so amazing.....we are waiting for the museum to reopen. Sure hope the daughter gets to run it. Thanks for posting these! Did you see they are having a print sale while the webpage is being upgraded?
ReplyDeleteA powerful force that will surely be missed!
ReplyDeleteAt least his work lives on!
-Dean
Amen. I grew up on Frazetta's work and he was certainly an artistic hero of mine. I'm sure high-brow types will pooh pooh this but I believe his grasp of the human form and the dynamism of his compositions rival that of the great masters - Michelangelo, Rubens et al. My bucket list definitely includes the Frazetta Museum.
ReplyDeleteHey Steve - The museum is on my "bucket list" as well!
ReplyDeleteI'm sad to see he's gone.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid at school his paintings blew me away.
My other favorite at the time was Michelangelo.
John Buscema was also a sad loss.
One thing their work all had in common was a vibrancy that jumped right out at you, along with fantastic technical ability.
That's my idea of art right there.
Loved the "Painting with Fire" documentary. It's a great insight into his life and work.
ReplyDeleteI discovered his illustrations as a child, when I had an avid interest in role playing books, the kind where you could decide your own fate. I was awe struck.
It's compelling that, even in the age of digital illustration, nobody has quite been able to rival the freshness and vitality of Frazetta's artwork.
I'm sure he'll continue to light the way for countless illustrators for generations.