Source: michaelwhelan.com
PATHLESS (1999) by Michael Whelan
Acrylic on Panel - 18" x 24"
In preparing works for a one-man show, I was pressuring myself to have every painting be about a “grand theme” and I was searching around for a subject. I was feeling almost as stressed as if I had a deadline for an illustration project. This didn’t make any sense and I finally had to stop and realize that it was OK to give myself the freedom to just paint something beautiful. If I just relax and trust the process, the themes emerge and the art takes care of itself.
(via theartofmichaelwhelan)
Source: michaelwhelan.com
SONGS OF DISTANT EARTH (1986) by Michael Whelan. Cover for the book by Arthur C. Clarke.
Acrylics - 20” x 31”
Final painting and a preliminary concept.
(via theartofmichaelwhelan)
Source: michaelwhelan.com
Source: michaelwhelan.com
HARI (1985) by Michael Whelan, cover for Foundation by Isaac Asimov
(via theartofmichaelwhelan)
Source: michaelwhelan.com
THE INEXORABLE EQUATION (1997) by Michael Whelan
Acrylic on Canvas - 48” x 36”
The window contains a beautiful but threatening view, seen from a place of illusory refuge.
(via theartofmichaelwhelan)
Source: michaelwhelan.com
WINDOW TO THE SUN (2006) by Michael Whelan
Acrylic on Watercolor Board - 13” x 11”
Since my most recent resolution to devote all my time to my gallery work I’ve been obsessed with painting these passageways. It doesn’t take a Sigmund Freud to figure out why. The career transition I seek to make is a prospect both compelling yet unnerving, so my dreams are filled with these iconic representations of my ambivalences. Most seem to be subjective derivations of experiences in previous years, exploring ruins of castles and abbeys in the UK.
In the case of this particular example, I have placed the symbol of my soul consciousness or desires on the other side, waiting for fulfillment. Waiting for me to come into the full light. I’m sending messages to myself here…. I think.
(via theartofmichaelwhelan)
Source: michaelwhelan.com
DRAGONSBANE (1985) by Michael Whelan, cover for the book by Barbara Hambly.
We’re reissuing a new, larger print with the release of our next newsletter (coming Wednesday). Fans of Brandon Sanderson will recognize this as the cover for the book that kindled his love for fantasy.
Not on our newsletter list yet? Follow us at MichaelWhelan.com.
(via theartofmichaelwhelan)
Source: michaelwhelan.com
THE GUNSLINGER FOLLOWED (2005) by Michael Whelan
Oil on Canvas - 25” x 40”
The Man in Black fled across the desert and the Gunslinger followed. The second half of the first line in the first book. The 2 characters couldn’t be in the same painting because it’s not until they are out of the desert that they come within sight of each other, so he split the sentence into 2 paintings. Michael has said that this is the closest to what he thinks Roland looks like - dogged, grim, with an indomitable sense of mission.
(via theartofmichaelwhelan)
Source: michaelwhelan.com
THE LAST HILL (1992) by Michael Whelan
Acrylic on Canvas - 20” x 60”
As a transplanted Californian, each year I am transfixed by the fall colors near my home in Connecticut and I created this for the title page of my book THE ART OF MICHAEL WHELAN.
(via theartofmichaelwhelan)
Source: michaelwhelan.com
