The WolfieToon at "DISCIPLINE & DESIRE" this week is my meager tribute to one of the finest illustrators to have graced a book cover, the late Frank Frazetta!
(Self portrait of the artist as a young man)
There are critiques and tributes to Frank all over the web, and I'll give you a couple of links below, but just in case you're not sure who he is, here are some images.
First, one of my favorites, I believe the name of it is "Great Form."
Frank loved golf-- he loved being able to make a living at the easel-- he loved his wife Ellie and his kids and life in the suburbs-- and evidently he loved female bottoms!
(Might be some kinda symbolism there...)
Frank began his career doing comics-- including a stint as one of Al Capp's "ghosts" on "Li'l Abner," as well as romance comics and public service ads!
(I think that guy kinda looks like young Frank and the gal like Bettie Page! I wonder if that was deliberate?)
(He NEVER gets winded! Get it, Guys??)
But Frazetta's biggest claim to fame came from the work he did in the 60's and 70's, book covers and illustrations for paperback runs of the "Conan" series--
And the "Tarzan" adventures--
And "John Carter of Mars" and company--
And more, including "Warren" comics magazines-- the publishers of "Famous Monsters of Filmland"-- which had anthologies of scary stories and a voluptuous vampire from outer space!
And here's one of Frazetta's paintings for a series of books about Victorian era antihero "Flashman!"
Frank did a later version that I think could find a nice home over with Mike and Season at their "BLOSSOM AND THORN" BLOG!
I'm not sure why Michael and Season came to mind looking at this... but...
Hope you enjoyed these, and many thanks to art lovers all over the web for sharing these images!
You can click these links for a splendid Frazetta obituary at "JONSIBAL DESIGN WORKS" BLOG, which includes a trailer for a documentary called "Painting With Fire," and an entry about Frank and his wife Ellie that I love from the "ILLUSTRATION ART" BLOG!
There is a quote-- I thought it was by Frazetta, but I haven't been able to confirm that-- about the delicious joys of rendering female buttocks. It went something like, "It's hard to explain the fascination. On the canvas, it's really just two spheres interacting, but I love it. I could draw bottoms all day!"
Y'know, I feel the same way!
Thanks for the info, Wolfie. I never heard of Frank before. My favorite picture is the one of the girl looking at the moon. I could almost hear Wolfie, I mean a wolf howling in the distance. I've always taken most artist for granted and only are familiar with a few names, thanks for keeping us posted. He did have a way of drawing bottoms.
ReplyDeleteLove the look on the horse too.
Me, too, Kaki!
DeleteIn fact, we're not alone-- click this link to see a really funny FLASHMAN PARODY!!
I love that Jungle Moon, too! Glad you enjoyed Frazetta's work! There are innumerable artists and painters I don't know myself, and I'm always intrigued to see new stuff-- well, new to me!
Very cool! I hadn't seen his work before. Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteHappy you got a kick out of it, Lea!
DeleteWhen I was a kid, Frazetta's work intimidated me; his skill and developed natural talent were astonishing, plus most of what I saw was the "sword and sorcery" stuff which I wasn't much interested in at the time.
But then I ran across his Faery watercolors, and other things, like the golfer, which showed his delightful sense of humor, and I became a fan!
What a talent, lovely images...
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right, Wordsmith, he truly was! I'm glad you enjoyed these!
DeleteI know his work very well. I Even have a set of his art which was put on trading cards. R.I.P Frank.
ReplyDeleteExcellent, Blilen! Which trading cards do you have? Treasures indeed!
DeleteHave the first 2 sets of his work. First
Delete(C)1991 from Comic Images. First two cards in set are (1) A Princess Of Mars and (2) His self portrait. Second set (C)1993 Frazetta II, The Legend Continues (1) Tarzan and the Golden Lion and (2) Tarzan Kills Lion.
Acquired these back in the day when you could go to a card show every week, buy the whole box, and make your own sets. Unfortunately, from moving around a lot, I'm lucky my local Mall has a show once or twice a year. Still, their keepers.
They are indeed, Blilen! Neither would I ever be temped to sell or trade such am acquistion-- but do you ever show them publicly, maybe on a website?
DeleteAnd I wonder how much of Frazetta the people behind the "John Carter" movie put into it?
I'm Shocked! Shocked, I tell you, to find female gluteal nudity has permeated WolfieToons!!
ReplyDeleteMy apologies, dear Larken, for the shocking and completely uncharacteristic nature of this entry, but I felt it was important to recognize the genius of Mr. Frazetta and show everybody a lot of cute bare bottoms.
Deletep.s. Great post, D.W.! I love Frazetta'a work. ;-)
ReplyDelete(Still laughing) Thank you, Larken! And I immediately thought of your signature photo when I saw "Jungle Moon!"
DeleteSo very sorry I am late to the party, Dave. For penance next time Season is over my lap - maybe as soon as tomorrow night - I will give her a few Wolfe smacks from the Furster of Fun. I LOVE your heartfelt and comprehensive tribute to Frank Frazetta ( a paesan from Brooklyn) a truly gifted artist. And that his marvelous Flashman painting reminds you of Season and me is quite an honor and just tickles me pink - red for Season. I need to go out and get a lance and a horse.....well, just a horse as Season always brings out the lance in me. ;-)
ReplyDeleteGreetings, then, Sir Lottalance!!
DeleteThanks very much in advance for the vicarious Wolfie Smacks for the Mrs.! And you're welcome, Season!!
And I'm delighted you enjoyed this entry, I spent a whole TV Debate doing it! Frazetta lives!