I offered the following thoughts (or words to the effect) over in a comment on Lou Anders’ blog. Lou’s new anthology, FAST FORWARD 1: FUTURE FICTION FROM THE CUTTING EDGE, (published by Pyr), debuted this week via booksellers everywhere, and in fact, I just recently received a few comp copies from the publisher over here. In a nutshell, I’m so thrilled to be a part of this book. When I saw the finished product for the first time, I felt very fortunate to do what I do for a living. The reviews for the book are starting to roll in and it’s getting raves from many corners. I couldn’t be happier for Lou and Pyr.

As far as the cover goes, it’s no secret how much I admire Richard Powers and his art. Here’s an expanded version of my comment from Lou’s blog, regarding this cover:

Lou and I talked a lot about this one. More than anything, we talked about the editorial direction of the book and what territory he was trying to explore. I read his introduction early in the process. Incredibly inspiring. He and I talked a lot about Richard Powers and his effect on Ballantine’s covers in the ’50s. On Lou’s blog, he mentioned something about the cover “approximating some of Powers’ energy for our time.” I don’t want anyone to think that I equate myself with Powers, so I might clarify that by saying that the thing I love about Powers’ covers is that they challenge their audience. They refuse to be beauty pageant pieces that desparately preen to be liked for their surface polish. I think that’s one of the most powerful lessons in his art….they spoke to the audience of their time, and they did it on their own terms. So I guess if anything, I was attempting (and attempting is the keyword) to do the same with this cover. Lofty as that may sound. Of course, in the end, I look at the FF1 cover and as much as it’s one of my recent favorites, I see my own glaring shortcomings more than anything. I’ve got a long way to go….I’m already looking forward to FF2, so I can try again.

Here it is. I’m pleased to see COVER STORY: THE ART OF JOHN PICACIO listed amongst LOCUS’ list of the best art books of 2006. Awesome.

Also especially pleased to see the following books on the list because I was fortunate to do covers for them:

THE EMPIRE OF ICE CREAM by Jeffrey Ford (Golden Gryphon)

THE MAN FROM THE DIOGENES CLUB by Kim Newman (MonkeyBrain Books)

FUTURESHOCKS, edited by Lou Anders (Penguin/Roc)

SCIENCE FICTION: THE VERY BEST OF 2005, edited by Jonathan Strahan (Locus Press)

FANTASY: THE VERY BEST OF 2005, edited by Jonathan Strahan (Locus Press)

MYTHS FOR THE MODERN AGE: PHILIP JOSE FARMER’S WOLD NEWTON UNIVERSE, edited by Win Eckert (MonkeyBrain Books)

BLOOD & THUNDER: THE LIFE & ART OF ROBERT E. HOWARD by Mark Finn (MonkeyBrain Books)

…is shaping up to be a fabulous show and we’re still two months away. First of all, congrats to Joe R. Lansdale for being recognized with the 2007 Grand Master Award, which will be given at this year’s WHC. That’s terrific news. The cover for the con’s Souvenir Book will be my art that first appeared on Joe’s BUMPER CROP collection (Golden Gryphon Press, 2004). And check out this Souvenir Book…you know how most cons do these as glossy magazines of varying quality? Hey, not this year’s WHC. These folks are blowing it out and doing a fabulous hardcover volume called TRAVELLERS IN DARKNESS, edited by the great Stephen Jones. Seriously, how many cons do their Souvenir Books as a hardcover giveaway? Macho! I can’t wait for this.

Check out the preliminary programme preview. There’s some really neat stuff happening. I’m very excited about the PS Publishing Launch Party at Toronto’s Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation, and Fantasy. How cool is that? You get to party AND take a tour of a historic collection of classic genre works. I’m so there. Peter Crowther, the man behind PS, will be the Publisher Guest of Honor this year and he’s releasing a really special tenth issue of his magazine POSTSCRIPTS in conjunction with the show. I did the cover art and the full lineup of writers in this issue is mind-blowing. If you haven’t already ordered one of these, you might want to stop reading this, and get one for yourself. Seriously. Michael Marshall Smith, Graham Joyce, Lucius Shepard, Tim Lebbon, Joe Hill, Stephen King, Connie Willis, and more…..pleeeease. Good lord.

Speaking of Michael Marshall Smith, I couldn’t be happier that he’s the Author Guest of Honor. He’s one of my favorites, a brilliant writer, and it’s great to see his works celebrated. I’m looking forward to spending time with all of the GOHs.

I could go on, and I probably will as the show approaches,(heck, I didn’t even mention that the Stoker Awards take place there this year) but the point is — WHC2007 is gonna be a wonderful con and if you’re not already registered, you should. Anyone out there have any favorite restaurant suggestions for Toronto?

Been busy over here, so I’m a little late on this. Revolution SF contributors Peggy Hailey and Rick Klaw have each recently released their lists for “What Is Best In Life” for 2006. I’m pleased to say that both have selected COVER STORY: THE ART OF JOHN PICACIO amongst their favorite books from this past year. Thanks, folks! I was also pleased to see books by John Scalzi, Chris Roberson, Jeff Ford, Scott Cupp, and Mark Finn, amongst their choices. Peggy is not only RevolutionSF’s esteemed book editor, but she’s also a buyer for one of the finest independent bookstores in the country, BookPeople. Rick is Editor Emeritus over at RevSF, and is currently working on a biography of his famous grandfather Irving Klaw, “the King of Pin-up”.

As for this photo, BLOOD & THUNDER author Mark Finn channels his inner barbarian and displays the cover (illustrated by Yours Truly) of his highly-acclaimed Robert E. Howard biography. Check out Mark’s own edition of “What’s Best in Life (And The Tree of Woe) 2006.”

Right now I’m working on a lot of covers for a lot of great books and I’ll unveil them here as I’m able. The holidays have flown by. Everyone in the blogosphere is doing their Year-In-Review thing right now. It’s the end of 2006 and I’m swamped, but I’d like to step back and offer a huge “thanks” for everything good that’s happened to me in 2006. It was a terrific year and I’m grateful to all of the friends and associates out there who made it so, and who shared it with me.
So before bidding adieu to 2006…a few good times from my past 12 months…
* I illustrated covers for two of my childhood favorites, the original STAR TREK franchise, and THE X-MEN. So cool. What made the X-MEN cover opportunity even sweeter was that the book was written by my good pal, Chris Roberson. Jennifer Heddle is the editor of the Marvel line for Simon & Schuster’s Pocket division, so it was a great thing to work on a childhood favorite with two of my favorite people.

* In April, Jeffrey Ford’s THE EMPIRE OF ICE CREAM was released from Golden Gryphon, and I think this is one of my favorite pieces of cover art to date. On top of that, the book is widely heralded as one of the best of the year, and Jeff deserves every ounce of that spotlight and attention.

* That same month, I was Artist Guest of Honor at Minicon 41 in Bloomington, MN. Harlan Ellison was the Author Guest of Honor and Doug Friauf was the Fan Guest of Honor. My fiancee and I had a brilliant time, thanks to Greg Ketter, Bill Christ, and all of the Minicon crew. I love Minneapolis, I love DreamHaven Books, and hot-damn, I love Hell’s Kitchen. Mmmmm…..sausage bread.

* In May, COVER STORY: THE ART OF JOHN PICACIO was released. What can I say? It’s my first art book, and I poured my guts into it. I can’t thank MonkeyBrain Books enough for publishing a first-class art book of my work. Thanks to them, the book was available in bookstores everywhere. DreamHaven Books hosted a release party upon the book’s debut, and so did Borderlands Books in San Francisco. Paul Goat Allen gave the book one of the greatest reviews I’ve ever seen over at Barnes & Noble.com, and SCI-FI MAGAZINE not only gave it an “A” review, but selected it as one of three recommended art books for the Xmas buying season.

* It’s terrific to be associated with some of the best new books in the field, like the aforementioned EMPIRE OF ICE CREAM, but when you occasionally get the opportunity to work on an all-time classic like A CANTICLE FOR LEIBOWITZ, you’re very fortunate. HarperCollins/Eos released their trade paperback edition of Walter M. Miller, Jr.’s classic in May and it’s one of my favorite cover illustrations of the last year or so. Many thanks to Diana Gill and Jennifer Brehl over there at Eos.

* The May/June issue of INTERZONE (#204) featured a cover, gallery and interview with me and I was honored to be a part of this great magazine. Andy Cox, Jetse De Vries, and the IZ crew really do a bang-up job every month and IZ just keeps getting better and better.

* I was a Locus Award finalist for the first time! Wow! The top five artists in this year’s Locus Awards Poll were Michael Whelan (who won his 26th Locus Award in the Artist category), Bob Eggleton, me, Dave McKean, and Charles Vess.

* In August, I completed another cover that became a favorite of mine. This one was for Lou Anders’ FAST FORWARD 1: FUTURE FICTION FROM THE CUTTING EDGE. The anthology will release from Pyr in February 2007, and I was happy with the way this one turned out. And talk about folks who had a great 2006 — Pyr had a huge year. Congrats to Lou and all of the Pyr team.

* Worldcon convened in Anaheim this year, and it was one to remember. I participated in the Worldcon Business Meeting for the first time. It likely won’t be my last time. I spent a lot of time there with Irene Gallo, Dave Seeley and some of the most dedicated SMoFs in the world, debating the issues of Hugo nominating and voting criteria. I learned a lot.

The 20th Annual Chesley Awards were handed out at this year’s Worldcon, and I was fortunate to be nominated for two — Best Interior Illustration, and Artistic Achievement. Brom won Best Interior for his terrific work on THE PLUCKER, but I was blown away to take home this year’s Artistic Achievement Award. Probably one of the greatest honors I could ever receive, and very humbling. Tom Kidd handed the plaque to me, and I think that made it more special because I’ve long had immense respect for Tom and his paintings. The Hugo Awards Ceremony happened two nights later, and I was nominated for the Hugo for Best Professional Artist for the second year in a row. I didn’t win this year, but Donato Giancola did, and that was good to see. He’s one of the best in the business and it’s good for the field to see his name listed amongst the Hugo winners’ roster along with legends like Bob Eggleton and Michael Whelan.

* My cover art for L.E. Modesitt Jr.’s GHOSTS OF COLUMBIA (Tor) was selected for inclusion in SPECTRUM 13: THE BEST IN CONTEMPORARY FANTASTIC ART.

* Austin, Texas hosted the World Fantasy Convention this year. The art show featured one of the best selections of artwork in years, including John Jude Palencar, Greg Manchess, Charles Vess, Gary Gianni, Mike Dringenberg, and many more. Because I won the World Fantasy Award in 2005, I was ineligible to win it in 2006, so I got to kick back and root for my friends! I was thrilled to see Chris Roberson, Lou Anders, and Jess Nevins nominated for the WFs this year. Hey, they didn’t win this time, but I suspect their years are coming.

Like I said, it’s been quite a year, and I’ve been very fortunate. Between now and March 17th, 2007, I’ve got a lot of fresh new cover work to accomplish, and then on St. Patrick’s Day, I get to take a break and marry the wonderful Traci Ogden. So I’ll see you on the other side in 2007. 🙂

Happy New Year to all!

MonkeyBrain Books has just released a fresh new edition of the Rudy Rucker adventure classic THE HOLLOW EARTH, with cover illustration and design by me. Note that on Amazon.com and other online venues, you may see a placeholder cover that differs (radically) from the one you see here. Safe to say, I’m glad the final edition looks like this and not like the placeholder.