-by Arnie Fenner
A few weeks ago Scott Taylor posted an essay on the Black Gate magazine blog, “Art of the Genre: Top 10 Fantasy Artists of the Past 100 Years.” I’ve never put much thought into list-making myself—and I don’t believe that there ever was or will ever be an absolute, unquestionable “#1” in the arts, be it painting or writing or acting—but it’s always interesting to read someone else’s opinions as to who they feel are the field’s Top Guns. Take a look at Scott’s list: do you agree or disagree? If you were making a Top 10 List, who would make your cut and why?
Seven of that top ten list would be in mine. I wasn't surprised that Frazetta was first, would have been if anyone else had been. I was really pleased to see Jeffrey Catherine Jones in there. I would have liked to see Kaluta and Rowena. Of those I would not have put in my top ten, I respect and like their work, I just don't have the same emotional engagement I do with the others.
I'm the same, I don't believe there will ever be a number one in art.
This isn't golf or football.
Nice list, although an ultimate #1 is difficult / impossible to determine.
Personally I find Rodney Matthew's work to be highly inspirationl.
I didn't see N.C. Wyeth or Darrell K. Sweet on the list. This is surprising to me. Maybe I missed N.C. in the list, but surely he has some of the most historical fantasy covers and interior art ever (Treasure Island, Kidnapped, Robin Hood, The Mysterious Stranger, etc.). And Darrell K. Sweet did so many great covers back in the 70s, 80s and 90s. I find it amazing how Sweet doesn't seem to get the recognition he deserves. From his Lord of the Rings covers to his Piers Anthony Xanth covers to his Chronicles of Thomas Covenant covers (my faves).
That said, I do agree it is very difficult to pick a number one, but Frazetta is always a good choice as his influence is vast, and Whelan is another good choice for #2, even though I consider him more of a science fiction artist than fantasy, he has done his share of the genre, and has done it exceedingly well.
Somebody once asked Picasso who was the greatest artist of all time. He said “It depended on the day……..”
I agree that it seems like an awkward idea to quantize. I think I'd have to make it my personal top ten influences or even just favorites, but either way it'd be very subjective.
And yeah, if Jones hadn't have been in there, I definitely would have pouted. 😀
I would have included Moebius in the top 10, for sure.
Paul Bonner is in my top ten.
I don't think Dave McKean or Jeff Easley were even mentioned in the vote list that followed in that article, but both would definitely be in my Top 10.
should the list really have been top ten most influential? And it really just seems to favor western artists. But it's just one man's view. Nothing to get hung up about.
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