We lost a great artist this past week. I cannot tell you how much this loss affects me, what Frazetta's work means to me, how he inspires me every time I see his work, how I strive to excel to his level in every piece I do, how much I still learn from his work. Sadly I know those of you that feel a little like I do are probably categorized in the "old guy" column. With the internet and the rise of concept art this new amazing generation of artists have no context for him and without context he just becomes one of those guys. I already overheard some of the younger guys I work with refer to him as such. To me growing up he was a lighthouse and utterly unique and revolutionary. I learned early on that if you find someone that you think is amazing, find out who there teachers were, who inspired them, and maybe you could get closer to that source. Our legacy as artists will be by who we inspire not what show we were on or how much we got paid for something. I think we tend to forget that in our "jobs". Some amazing artists that he inspired
-Dave Stevens
-Mike Mignola
-William Stout
-Frank Cho
-Justin Sweet
-Mark Schultz
-Mike Kaluta
-Mitch Byrd
-James Watkiss
-Ashley Wood
-Wally Wood
-Al Williamson
-this list could probably go on a lot longer than I know or have room for. But if you like any of the guys above take a second or a lifetime and check out Frank Frazetta's work. While your at it, take a second to thank the artists that inspire you that are still here. I know for a fact it would mean alot to them. My heart is heavy and I felt the need to post something. Sadly I couldn't even "settle" on any of the hundreds of images he created to put up as a post.
Thank you Frank for everything!
2 comments:
As a designer/artist, I've always been standing on the shoulders of others. Most I've never met, some I call friends. They are my masters and to do them justice...I hope that I always have the strength to move forward creatively and the wisdom to "see" clearly.
Thanks for such a heartfelt honest entry.
Frank was one of the great illustrators of our time. In fact,
many of the great illustrators, comic artists etc, came from his generation and were part of the "Golden Age of Illustration". After the era of book illustration died in the 60's, Frank's work stayed there and beyond.
A testament to the strength of his work.
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