I remember seeing the cover for book 1 knowing this was a book I had to read. If Whelan had done the artwork, the book had to be solid. Moorcock, McCaffrey, Hobb, Rain, Asimov, I had read them all just because of that artwork. So compelling, so beautiful.
I love when my favorite artist gushes over books by my favorite author! I feel like it's an exponential compounding of art and expression, and having those beautiful books on my shelf brings me more joy than one would think.
I am loving the insights into how Michael develops a cover image. It’s been years since I read “Otherland”, but his comments brought much of it back again. Enjoyed it mightily.
I enjoyed Tad's Memory, Sorrow & Thorn series and I will have to check out Otherland, all the more inspired by your recommendation and the knowledge they have your covers.
I never had an original Whelan piece, and probably never will but Michael's artwork remains a beauty to behold! So i gaze and admire each and every one of them whenever i can.
I have been following you Michael for a long time. I remember having first seen your work at one of the world come and then went to see a slide presentation you did where you talked about your background and training with some explanation of your techniques and symbolism. Since then I have always looked forward to each of your works for the depth of the viewing experience. This cover was no exception. Not only the symbolism of the parts of the whole but the presentation of am overall feel and theme. I also enjoy the beauty of specific techniques such as the translucent figure in front of the mountain. Thank you so much for your artist and for the enabling is to go on an excursion into your mind and process. Always a pleasure
I've read the series several times and recently listened to the audiobooks. They're so very good, as is your artwork. The cover was exactly right for this book.
In my opinion, these paintings were the peak of your illustration career! (not that you haven't painted hundreds of amazing covers! Just that these are so surreal and non-literal, yet exactly right--they verge on your personal work.)
I read those when they came out, and found your covers reflected the mood of themabsurdly well. Then again, I'm one of those who sees (*and hears and smells) a book when reading it. But the potsherds at the top of this post just make me giggle, remember the urns we did for a production of Julius Caesar we did at the Old Globe. Never let tired interns paint those in the middle of the night after a very long week of production. (We had to turn some of them around so the audience would not see wht the figuers were doing). :)
I always loved Whelan's artwork and I've always loved the Otherland covers, but for a very long time I never connected the two!
Despite the passage of time, I think the story and art have held up. They are still great and still speaks to technology/AI in the modern day.
Beautiful works!
I remember seeing the cover for book 1 knowing this was a book I had to read. If Whelan had done the artwork, the book had to be solid. Moorcock, McCaffrey, Hobb, Rain, Asimov, I had read them all just because of that artwork. So compelling, so beautiful.
I love when my favorite artist gushes over books by my favorite author! I feel like it's an exponential compounding of art and expression, and having those beautiful books on my shelf brings me more joy than one would think.
I am loving the insights into how Michael develops a cover image. It’s been years since I read “Otherland”, but his comments brought much of it back again. Enjoyed it mightily.
I enjoyed Tad's Memory, Sorrow & Thorn series and I will have to check out Otherland, all the more inspired by your recommendation and the knowledge they have your covers.
Beautiful work as always!
Otherland was a hugely influential series for me — and your art was a big part of that! Thank you for the commentary on your process.
I never had an original Whelan piece, and probably never will but Michael's artwork remains a beauty to behold! So i gaze and admire each and every one of them whenever i can.
Keep it up!
Love the mountains of black glass cover!
This is a gorgeous piece of art!
I have been following you Michael for a long time. I remember having first seen your work at one of the world come and then went to see a slide presentation you did where you talked about your background and training with some explanation of your techniques and symbolism. Since then I have always looked forward to each of your works for the depth of the viewing experience. This cover was no exception. Not only the symbolism of the parts of the whole but the presentation of am overall feel and theme. I also enjoy the beauty of specific techniques such as the translucent figure in front of the mountain. Thank you so much for your artist and for the enabling is to go on an excursion into your mind and process. Always a pleasure
Loved this series!
I've read the series several times and recently listened to the audiobooks. They're so very good, as is your artwork. The cover was exactly right for this book.
In my opinion, these paintings were the peak of your illustration career! (not that you haven't painted hundreds of amazing covers! Just that these are so surreal and non-literal, yet exactly right--they verge on your personal work.)
I read those when they came out, and found your covers reflected the mood of themabsurdly well. Then again, I'm one of those who sees (*and hears and smells) a book when reading it. But the potsherds at the top of this post just make me giggle, remember the urns we did for a production of Julius Caesar we did at the Old Globe. Never let tired interns paint those in the middle of the night after a very long week of production. (We had to turn some of them around so the audience would not see wht the figuers were doing). :)