Can a loser get any luckier?
I met one of the finest artists in the world at the recent Illuxcon Fantasy Expo, painter Michael Whelan. He is, by far, my very favorite horror artist, and I am very fortunate to know him. Many years ago, I sent him a sculpture of a vampire I had done (1993, I think!). He was generous enough to send me a gorgeous print of a Sepultura album cover he had done, as well as a t-shirt with the same image on it. What a guy. While at the Expo, I gave him a sculpture I had done as a demonstration, and a few weeks later, he sends me an amazing painting of the same sculpture, but done in the style that only Michael Whelan can do—colorful, vivid, perfectly composed and beautifully rendered. I am honored and awestruck that he used a piece of mine as a subject, and I consider it a true sign that I have ‘made it’. An original Michael Whelan!!!!
Now I suppose I have to up the ante, and send him something that will make him pass out. Here’s hoping I’m up to the task.
January 14th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I absolutely love Whelan’s work with the Sepultura albums, especially his cover art on their ‘Beneath The Remains’ album. Sounds like the two of you are treating each other to some really cool artwork!
January 14th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
The melding of Jordu Schell and Michael Whelan is simply an unbeatable combination. The sculpture must have been amazing; the painting of it certainly is!
I can’t wait to see what you conjure up to send to Mr. Whelan in response.
January 14th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Holy crap! That’s awesome! I’m really happy for you.
January 14th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Jordu,
having someone interpret your art in 2D must be awesome, you better start sculpting something cool for him.
January 14th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Reminds of the time…. I posted an image of a half mask I had done after searching the depths of my mind for something I had never seen before…it was bumpy slitfaced blotchy red and pink big toothed horned moose like demon…with the tiniest little beady eyes…and this very talented, incredibly inspiration artist all the way from L.A said he wanted a copy and was willing to ‘trade” one of his masks for it…a straight trade …a one of kind Jordu Schell hand painted mask…for one of mine…I knew then “I had made it!”
Thanks Jordu…what comes around goes around!