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Michael Whelan

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Artist

The Resume

    (June 29, 1950- )
    Born in Culver City, California
    Professional artist known for his art appearing on science fiction book and magazine covers
    Member of the Science Fiction Hall of Fame
    Winner of fifteen Hugo Awards and three WFA awards
    Awarded the LOCUS Magazine award for 'Best Professional Artist' thirty times and twelve Chesley Awards from the ASFA
    Has done cover illustrations for the novels of Anne McCaffrey, Edgar Rice Burroughs, HP Lovecraft, Robert Heinlein and Stephen King, among many others
    Has done album covers for The Jacksons, Sepultra, and Meatloaf
    BA in Painting from San Jose State
    Cover for 'Bat Out of Hell Two: Back Into Hell' named CD Cover of the Year by CD Magazine (1993)
    Book length collections of his work include 'Michael Whelan's Works of Wonder' (1988) and 'The Art of Michael Whelan: Scenes/Visions' (1993)

Why he might be annoying:

    He was not close to his family growing up or as an adult.
    He moved away from illustration to portraits.
    Since most of his work was done on commission he doesn't own most of his own paintings.
    Due to the nature of his work, you probably recognize his art but not his name.
    He has referred to fantasy literature as, 'pointless fantasy or wish fulfillment.'
    He charges ridiculous amounts of money for reproductions of his works.
    His work can be quite derivative, especially of Frank Frazetta.
    He was almost 50 before he ever did his own show.
    In college he quit his pre-med major as a junior to switch to art.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was the first living artist to be inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame.
    His cover of Ray Bradbury's 'The Martian Chronicles' has been called the finest cover art for a science fiction novel in history.
    He is far and away the most recognized and popular cover artist in science fiction history.
    He has an excellent website.
    He is an easy and excellent interview.
    He always reads a book, sometimes 2 or 3 times before illustrating it.
    As an adult, he has overcome Lyme Disease and Prostrate Cancer.
    His two children, a son and a daughter, both have earned PhDs.
    Growing up, his family moved around a lot and he attended five elementary schools, three junior highs, and four high schools.
    He's been married forever.

Credit: tom_jeffords


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 16 Votes: 43.75% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying