R.I.P. Frank Frazetta

Brand X Daily ^ | 5/10/10 | Richard Metzger

[Hoodat]

From the Molly Hatchet cover:

[Finny]

Well, you may have a point!

There are two artists whose work I'd love to see in an exhibit of original canvases: Frank Frazetta, and N.C. Wyeth.

[DemforBush]

Dang, we lost one of the greats today.

RIP, Mr. Frazetta.

[relictele]

You have to remember what it was like in the late 1970s for a pre-teen kid who was into sci-fi, fantasy, comics and, yes, D&D.

No Internet and certainly no TV tailored to his interests. Instead, it meant long hours parked in front of paperback and magazine racks looking through an amazing (and occasionally bewildering) array of covers and images. But one artist’s work became so recognizable that you were able to recognize it even without seeing the distinctive painted signature...’Frazetta.’

On the music front, to be in the suburbs in the late 70s meant that you were listening to Molly Hatchet or at least your neighbors were. And all those who had Molly Hatchet albums were seeing Frazetta art even if they had no idea who he was.

I recently watched the documentary about his life and art and marveled at the fact that I had seen even more of his work than I previously imagined.

The debate over commercial art vs. art for art’s sake will never be settled so I won’t even try. All I know is that Frazetta had a once-in-a-generation talent and I am amazed by his work regardless of context.

[relictele]

But one artist’s work became so recognizable that you were able to recognize it even without seeing the distinctive painted signature...’Frazetta.’

Self-edit: "But one artist’s work was so recognizable that you were able to pick it out even without seeing the distinctive painted signature...’Frazetta.’

[BlueLancer]

Frazetta's DEATH DEALER, III Corps at Fort Hood, Texas ...

[a fool in paradise]

Here's a collection of early Frazetta work with a character with a sword... (actually I think the cover may also be a tribute by William Stout who also wrote the intro...)

[a fool in paradise]

haven't found a picture with a sword yet, but here are some auctioned drawings of Daisy Mae by Frazetta (one signed...)

[a fool in paradise]

Many people's parents also had Frazetta album covers in their collection without even knowing it...

[a fool in paradise]

He could also apply the style to more "contemporary" imagery:

[a fool in paradise]

Lots of his women were not in the least helpless.

[a fool in paradise]

Hollywood did not appreciate his famous commercial poster work at the end. Disney/Dimension Films rejected this painting for From Dusk Till Dawn (I believe that he gave it to director Robert Rodriguez)

[acad1228]

bump

[Eepsy]

He certainly had a great sense of composition

[commish]

An unbelievably talented artist. He is one of those rare types that you can see a work and say “That is a Frazetta”.

He will be sorely missed by the Sci-Fi community.

RIP.

[Little Bill]

I had an early Rugar Blackhawk in .357, nice weapon but I have a love for S&W that goes back to my youth, when I got out of the Army. My walking around gun is a 640 Hammerless but, all in all if, at my age I could get a Friary Redhead to cover my sorry old ass I would be in heaven.

[Little Bill]

Back in the day his women sported what was known as the Classic American Woman Look, no bone, fat in all the right places, think Jane Russel.

[Finny]

Sheesh ... isn’t that gorgeous!

[Finny]

There it is!!! That is such an incredible painting. I got to inverview the guy who wrote the "Horned Helmet" series of books, for which Death Dealer was the cover and the character. It was back in the late 80s.

My stars ... I would love to see the original canvas of that. Only problem is that I'd not want to leave! It must be a fabulously stunning piece as an original, because even reproductions of it are fantastic.

[usmcobra]

Vampirella