Michael Whelan, Artist

[wizardsrainbow]

I just wanted to announce that Michael Whelan's new and improved web site has finally been launched. You can find it here:

http://www.michaelwhelan.com

This has been a work-in-progress for well more than a year, but I think the wait has been worth it. You judge for yourself! I am proud to say that I had a hand late in the process in assisting Audrey and Michael in getting it ready.:rock:

[Randall Flagg]

That is a nice site. The pictures load quickly. I saw the announcement about the LSOE, but no pics.:angry:
Thanks Wiz.

[funky dredd]

Nice site. I like it much better than the old one.

[Matt]

Beautiful site! That flash animation is amazing.

[sarah]

I really like the way this new site is set up. Thanks for the link.

[Ari_Racing]

Pretty cool!

But why this is so expensive? :(

http://michaelwhelan.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=155&osCsid=0535d768994b22f60cf39a7bf99392cf&cPath=54

I hope he puts for sale some open prints soon.

[Randall Flagg]

Probably because it's one of only 99 prints. It's on canvas, and signed.
It's actually far less than the original, which I'm only guessing would be 10K+.

[Nerak]

Probably because it's one of only 99 prints. It's on canvas, and signed.
It's actually far less than the original, which I'm only guessing would be 10K+.

I get to look at the original EVERYDAY I am at work!!! le sigh! :excited:



oh yeah, the new site is wicked..have to tell Audrey tomorrow!!!

[Patrick]

The website looks great!

It should definitely go in the new Links directory.

[wizardsrainbow]

Audrey worked long and long on getting everything just right for the site. It would make her feel good to get some feedback from some of you on how much you like the new site!

[Storyslinger]

will do, wizardsrainbow

[Ari_Racing]

Already done, :)

[Matt]

The website looks great!

It should definitely go in the new Links directory.

I will do that for sure--I will also go out and leave a comment as to how wonderful it is.

[Patrick]

Audrey worked long and long on getting everything just right for the site. It would make her feel good to get some feedback from some of you on how much you like the new site!

Are you implying that Michael and Audrey are not members of TDT.com? :scared:


:lol:

[Daghain]

That new site is awesome! :D

[NeedfulKings]

I like the site as well. Here's a "collectors" question:

Assume that I inquire about the possibility of Michael inscribing my 2nd Edition Gunslinger. Aside from personal value, would it increase or decrease the street value of the book??? I would obviously never sell it, but one day, when I'm gone.....blah, blah, blah. :D

[Patrick]

I don't know, Bill, but I think it would be cool. People fake SK's sig, but I haven't heard much about people faking Whelan's, so I don't think it would scare anyone off were you to sell it later.

I am interested in what others think as well.

[Daghain]

As am I. :D

Do you think you could get Whelan to sign it? That would be very cool. :D

[wizardsrainbow]

I can say that Michael is happy and flattered that people want his autograph/signature in books. He has always been happy to do it for me.

I suggest you contact Audrey and ask if you could send the book to them.

Short of that, I might consider being an intermediary since I see them 3-4 times a year. I could get some books signed for people, but please try the direct route first.

[wizardsrainbow]

As for added value? Personally, (and those of you who know me well know that I might be Michael's biggest fan on this site) I do not think his sig adds appreciable value to a book. Modest yes.

[Wuducynn]

I don't know, Bill, but I think it would be cool. People fake SK's sig, but I haven't heard much about people faking Whelan's, so I don't think it would scare anyone off were you to sell it later.

I am interested in what others think as well.

Half of the folk on here and .Net who think they have a Michael Whelan signed edition its actually signed by me. Probably over half. Suckers.

[Storyslinger]

There are some really amazing peices there

[NeedfulKings]

There is an FAQ area at the new site that gives proper contact info if you're looking for a signature. I know that it won't take away the value of the book (unlike a gift inscription from Aunt Jenny), so that's all I'm worried about. :)

I'll drop them a line. If all else fails, wiz, I'll get your help. After all, it used to be YOUR book!!! :D

I guess I could get Crimson's help too. :orely:

[bast_imret]

I just got an email about it today. Checked out the site, looks like it turned out very well! Need to spend a little more time clicking around it though.

I too was suprised at the cost of the End of the Road giclees. I've been wanting a print of that peice since the book first came out . . . . why did this have to get released around Christmas!

Glad to find all of you again, I was wondering what had happened to TDT.net :)

[Matt]

Great to have you bast :rock:

Welcome to the site.

[bast_imret]

Thanks!

[Patrick]

Great to see you here, Bast!

[wizardsrainbow]

A new message/offer from Michael Whelan:

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/519/MW_Offer.JPG

The exciting part is that you get a signed print of a new piece Michael did for the new S/L Little Sisters book, and let me tell you the print (painting) is an AWESOME KICKASS KNOCK-YOUR-SOCKS-OFF BEAUTIFUL piece of work!!!

[Nerak]

the print (painting) is an AWESOME KICKASS KNOCK-YOUR-SOCKS-OFF BEAUTIFUL piece of work!!!


I conquer!!! :rock: :thumbsup:

[Ari_Racing]

Do you already have it, Wiz?

[Matt]

OMG!!

I would love to have that :(

**bides his time**

**strokes his cat**

[Daghain]

Oh, to only win the lotto.....

[NeedfulKings]

Too rich for my blood, but congrats to the ones who get them. :) :) :)

[Matt]

I'd put it on a credit card if I had one that wasn't recently maxed out <_<

[Daghain]

:lol:

[NeedfulKings]

I would have bought it with my Beam Bucks if you hadn't opened the casino!!!! :lol:

[Matt]

:rofl:

Man! I wish they would take beam bucks.

[bast_imret]

Another offer on the website (non DT related) is if you order Passage to the Sun, you get free matting and framing.

Excellent deals, wish I had more $$ sitting around.

[wizardsrainbow]

Do you already have it, Wiz?


I have a signed numbered print of all four DT works, all #296 that match one of my same-number book sets. I do not have this giclee version being offered, nor am I going to order one. I am sure I will get a signed Eluria print one way or another though.

Wiz

[Nerak]

Do you already have it, Wiz?


I have a signed numbered print of all four DT works, all #296 that match one of my same-number book sets. I do not have this giclee version being offered, nor am I going to order one. I am sure I will get a signed Eluria print one way or another though.

Wiz

:angry: brown noser....:orely:

[Patrick]

:lol:

I'm going to pass on this as well.

[wizardsrainbow]

Do you already have it, Wiz?


I have a signed numbered print of all four DT works, all #296 that match one of my same-number book sets. I do not have this giclee version being offered, nor am I going to order one. I am sure I will get a signed Eluria print one way or another though.

Wiz

:angry: brown noser....:orely:

You gotta do what you gotta do:huglove:

[Nerak]

Do you already have it, Wiz?


I have a signed numbered print of all four DT works, all #296 that match one of my same-number book sets. I do not have this giclee version being offered, nor am I going to order one. I am sure I will get a signed Eluria print one way or another though.

Wiz

:angry: brown noser....:orely:

You gotta do what you gotta do:huglove:

I'm just pissed that you got there before me!!! :pullhair:

[wizardsrainbow]

For those of you who are interested, Michael is giving a 2 hour lecture this Sunday January 20th at the Danbury library.

http://www.danburylibrary.org/documents/Whelan.pdf

I definitely will be there, and I may have a little surprise for you all come Tuesday when I am back in the office. :excited:

Oh, and Matt...Audrey told me she got an e-mail from you (she said the owner of this site so I assume that is you) awhile back and apologized profusely to me for not replying. If you know Audrey and Michael, they live in a state of frenzy. She does plan on replying to you though.

[Mike Beck]

oh man if i just had some extra money. i want to buy everything in that shop. :o

the site looks amazing. the old one wasn't bad, but this one is ten times better.

[Mike Beck]

For those of you who are interested, Michael is giving a 2 hour lecture this Sunday January 20th at the Danbury library.

http://www.danburylibrary.org/documents/Whelan.pdf

I definitely will be there, and I may have a little surprise for you all come Tuesday when I am back in the office. :excited:

Oh, and Matt...Audrey told me she got an e-mail from you (she said the owner of this site so I assume that is you) awhile back and apologized profusely to me for not replying. If you know Audrey and Michael, they live in a state of frenzy. She does plan on replying to you though.


holy shit! danbury, ct???? but i gotta go to jersey. ah shit. story of my life.

[Matt]

Oh, and Matt...Audrey told me she got an e-mail from you (she said the owner of this site so I assume that is you) awhile back and apologized profusely to me for not replying. If you know Audrey and Michael, they live in a state of frenzy. She does plan on replying to you though.

Wow! Thank you Wiz. That really means a lot to me.

If you get a chance, tell her there is no need to hurry and I totally understand how busy she is.

Man, I wish I could go to this one too. I think if I mention it, my wife will kill me. :lol:

[wizardsrainbow]

Oh, and Matt...Audrey told me she got an e-mail from you (she said the owner of this site so I assume that is you) awhile back and apologized profusely to me for not replying. If you know Audrey and Michael, they live in a state of frenzy. She does plan on replying to you though.

Wow! Thank you Wiz. That really means a lot to me.

If you get a chance, tell her there is no need to hurry and I totally understand how busy she is.

Man, I wish I could go to this one too. I think if I mention it, my wife will kill me. :lol:

Matt-
I will do just that. One of the reasons I am so damed excited is last summer my wife and I had dinner with them and as we were walking to our cars Michael casually mentioned that he had put something aside for me. I have been in contact with them several times since then by phone and e-mail but this will be the first opportunity in months to actually BE with them, and as I am talking to Audrey yesterday, Michael yells from the background that he still has that surprise for me. As you would guess, I am just the wee bit curious as to what that might be. I will share (if I can) on Tuesday.

[Patrick]

Can't wait to find out, Wiz! :excited:

[Matt]

Oh, and Matt...Audrey told me she got an e-mail from you (she said the owner of this site so I assume that is you) awhile back and apologized profusely to me for not replying. If you know Audrey and Michael, they live in a state of frenzy. She does plan on replying to you though.

Wow! Thank you Wiz. That really means a lot to me.

If you get a chance, tell her there is no need to hurry and I totally understand how busy she is.

Man, I wish I could go to this one too. I think if I mention it, my wife will kill me. :lol:

Matt-
I will do just that. One of the reasons I am so damed excited is last summer my wife and I had dinner with them and as we were walking to our cars Michael casually mentioned that he had put something aside for me. I have been in contact with them several times since then by phone and e-mail but this will be the first opportunity in months to actually BE with them, and as I am talking to Audrey yesterday, Michael yells from the background that he still has that surprise for me. As you would guess, I am just the wee bit curious as to what that might be. I will share (if I can) on Tuesday.

Wow! I flat wouldn't be able to sleep at night. Like a kid at Christmas. :fairy:

[Mike Beck]

I ended up going to the lecture! me and my buddy got there just in time on our way back from jersey.

michael whelan is awesome, as i'm sure a lot of you already knew. it was great to hear him talk about his life and career. this is a guy who did it. he loves what he does, and he puts everything into it. i could've listened to him talk all day.

we saw a lot of slides. from his earliest work to his most recent. and eventhough the guy was amazing in his earliest paintings, he just massively improves by his latest paintings. he's fricken amazing. he showed some of his Dark Tower work, but didn't have a whole lot of time to get into them too much. he had already gone over the 4:00 mark, and had to kind of speed through some of it.

wizardsrainbow, i think i saw you there with your kids? i didn't remember exactly what you looked like, and definitely didn't have the balls to walk up to someone that might've been weirded out when i said, "hi, it's me mike, from the dark tower.com." :P

anyway, it was great to be there. i really enjoyed the lecture!

[Patrick]

I'd love to meet Whelan and listen to him give a talk like that. Thanks, Mike. :thumbsup:

[wizardsrainbow]

I ended up going to the lecture! me and my buddy got there just in time on our way back from jersey.

michael whelan is awesome, as i'm sure a lot of you already knew. it was great to hear him talk about his life and career. this is a guy who did it. he loves what he does, and he puts everything into it. i could've listened to him talk all day.

we saw a lot of slides. from his earliest work to his most recent. and eventhough the guy was amazing in his earliest paintings, he just massively improves by his latest paintings. he's fricken amazing. he showed some of his Dark Tower work, but didn't have a whole lot of time to get into them too much. he had already gone over the 4:00 mark, and had to kind of speed through some of it.

wizardsrainbow, i think i saw you there with your kids? i didn't remember exactly what you looked like, and definitely didn't have the balls to walk up to someone that might've been weirded out when i said, "hi, it's me mike, from the dark tower.com." :P

anyway, it was great to be there. i really enjoyed the lecture!

Mike-
Yes, I was there with my two sons. Man, you should have come up and introduced yourself! :doh: Man, I would have been flattered that you recognized me. Were you standing or sitting? You weren't the guy sitting in the first row were you?

And for all you other Whelan fans out there....

The room was set up for roughly 60-70 people and 140+ turned out according to Audrey and the Danbury library director. It was standing room only. Michael talked and showed slides for nearly 2 1/2 hours and held everyone's attention the entire time, even my two boys! He really did a fabulous job and you could tell just how passionate he was about his art. He sold lots and lots of signed prints after the show.

[wizardsrainbow]

On to the exciting part for me. My boys and I were able to go back to the Whelan home after the show (later joined by my wife and daughter who had birthday parties that afternoon). My kids had never been to the house before so it was a real treat for them to see so many of the original paintings....so much more impressive in person and up close then off of reproduced images in books or on web sites. We simply had a lovely dinner party/evening together with Michael and Audrey and a few other close friends of theirs.

At the end of dinner, Michael went to get the "surprise" he has been saving for me. He was cleaning out his files and came across a very very old preliminary Dark Tower sketch that he had done in charcoal. It was apparently the only one he had saved (for reasons he doesn't remember).

It is a preliminary sketch of Roland by the water for the Temple of the Oracle painting (original now owned by carlosdetweiller) that he did for the 1st edition Gunslinger published in 1982, so the charcoal sketch is at least 25 years old. Here it is:

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/519/medium/Oracle_Gunslinger_Study_Sketch.JPG

[wizardsrainbow]

And a close-up

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/519/medium/Oracle_Gunslinger_Study_Sketch_Close-up.JPG

[Mike Beck]

*is swelling with jealousy* :o

you lucky..... man, that is really awesome. what a terrific gift!!

i should have introduced myself. if we didn't have to rush out, i would have. and i probably would've exhausted my bank account trying to buy some of michael whelan's prints.

:)

[wizardsrainbow]

Mike-

I am sure we will run into each other some day...given that we live in the same town!!


Here is a picture (bad camera work by me) of the Temple of the Oracle in the Gunslinger book for comparison.

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/519/medium/Oracle_Original1.JPG

[Spencer]

Holy WOW that's awesome!!!!!!! Thanks so much for sharing it!

[Matt]

This is simply...I don't have the words. :lol:

I'm not sure I could think of anything cooler as far as illustrations are concerned. Congrats Wiz, what a wonderful thing.

[Mike Beck]

Mike-

I am sure we will run into each other some day...given that we live in the same town!!


Here is a picture (bad camera work by me) of the Temple of the Oracle in the Gunslinger book for comparison.

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/519/medium/Oracle_Original1.JPG

oh you know it! fairfield isn't that big. :pirate:

do you know if mr. whelan does these lectures often?

[wizardsrainbow]

You're welcome. I am really over the moon about it.

Michael did show me the pencil sketches he did for the upcoming Little Sisters/Gunslinger book and they are AWESOME! I just hope the book sees the light of day sometime soon!

[wizardsrainbow]

I was told this was the third such "show" Michael has done. The director of the Danbury public library is a long long long time friend of Michael's, so I know Michael did a similar talk in the past in Chappaqua NY and Brookfield for the same friend.

[Mike Beck]

i really enjoyed it. i hope he does another one at some point.

[carlosdetweiller]

That is a great gift. I hope you plan to frame it. I would.

So, David, what do you think of the figures surrounding Roland? What do you think they are? I can't quite make them out. Slow mutants, maybe? Figments of his imagination?

Michael once explained that the whole painting was somewhat hallucinatory. If you remember Roland had just ingested mescaline to facilitate his meeting with the oracle. That is the reason for the weird unnatural shading of green that dominates the painting. Roland is beginning to hallucinate.

I've often wondered if the phallic nature of the temple stones was meant to be real or hallucinatory. Opinions, anyone?

Another thing that is often missed is how Roland perceives his reflection in the pool. Sometimes the bottom of the painting is cropped when it is reproduced for a book. There is actually a skull grinning back at Roland!

Photos attached.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/whelantempleoracle.jpg

Close up of Roland's hallucinatory reflection.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/oracleskull.jpg

[Mike Beck]

holy crapoley!

i never realized how amazing this illustration really is! thanks for posting, carlos.

[herbertwest]

Woaw!

[wizardsrainbow]

Bob-
Thanks for your additions to this part of the thread!!!! (also glad you worked out how to post images...hold on to your seats everyone!)

I wish I were more adept at using as camera, but the images in my prelim sketch appear to be (to my eye anyway) Roland in various positions on the rock by the water. Michael very roughly (and very small) sketched him in various positions. For instance, the bottom left image is Roland on his belly, the middle one is also in semi-recline and the third is more sitting upright. At least that is how it hit me when I studied it the first time. The images are pretty small and charcoal is a pretty smudgy/not crisp medium. Tonight I will look at it again with a more open mind's eye and see what I think.

As for the questions you raised, if MIchael's talk on Sunday was any indication, he very often purposefully paints images into his work that stand for masculinity or femininity. I think the phallic symbols were purposeful as the temple, or ring was described as being very sexual and the Oracle had a great need. The Oracle in this case was female and (my interpretation) the phallic nature of the stones was meant to sustain her until the next male victim could be lured into her circle.

And, yes, I had noticed the skull reflection in the water (a fabulous touch on Michael's part). I had not heard that the green background was a reference to the mescaline-induced state that Roland was in at the time. Thanks for sharing that info. And, BTW, I adore that painting!

[Ari_Racing]

Okay.,...I'm green with envious!!! The same green as Bob's painting! :)

Congratulations Wiz!!!
That image appeared in The art of Michael Whelan, if I'm not wrong.

[Daghain]

That is totally amazing. Wiz, you lucky duck. :D

And Carlos, that painting is awesome - I didn't realize the skull was in there, either.

[jayson]

that painting is beyond cool! it makes me wish there was a DT series of calendars every year like the Tolkien calendars of old.

[oy-the-brave]

Congrats David on the incredible gift. I had the same thoughts on the other images they appeared to be rough sketches of Roland in different positions. A real treat seeing how Mr. Whelans creative process works :thumbsup:

Thanks Bob for the painting pics, another reminder of how much is missed when a painting is cropped/sized for a book.

[carlosdetweiller]

I ordered this from the Whelan website and it arrived today. It's an artist proof of The End Of The Road. 28" by 20". It is a giclee print on canvas. Looks pretty close to an original painting, IMO. I'm going to the frame shop tomorrow!

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/whelanendoftheroad.jpg

[Randall Flagg]

Very, very nice Bob.

[jhanic]

Very nice, Bob. Just how many Whelan drawings/paintings/pictures do you have?

John

[carlosdetweiller]

Very nice, Bob. Just how many Whelan drawings/paintings/pictures do you have?

John

This is the fifth "Artist Proof" print that I have. All with matching #3's. Five paintings. A couple of other prints. They really add up but I've been collecting them for over 10 years. I bought the paintings from The Gunslinger in 1998.

[Patrick]

Wiz, that charcoal sketch is awesome - amazing artist, 25-year (or more) history, on and on. Michael Whelan must think almost as much of you as we do around here!

Bob, thank you for sharing the photos of the painting - it is magnificent. And congrats on your newest artwork purchase!

[oy-the-brave]

I ordered this from the Whelan website and it arrived today. It's an artist proof of The End Of The Road. 28" by 20". It is a giclee print on canvas. Looks pretty close to an original painting, IMO. I'm going to the frame shop tomorrow!

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/whelanendoftheroad.jpg


Mine arrives on Saturday, I did not get an AP (althought that is what I ordered). I got a call from Audrey last Friday I think, I was the first to order the new print and had ordered the AP but apparently they had more orders than AP's and would I be interested in accepting a regular edition if I could have a specific number say #19, and btw I would have that number from here on out. So I thought about it for oh....half a second (while peeing my pants) :excited: and said yes :thumbsup:

I finally hung my other DT prints and original art and will post pics when this is framed and hung too.

[Patrick]

Dave! :nana: That is great! :dance:

[Ari_Racing]

Bob, did you received the "gift" painting as well?

[Darkthoughts]

Wow, some truly fantastic artwork on the previous page - thanks for sharing, we're really lucky to have this sort of access to other fan's collections :thumbsup:

[wizardsrainbow]

I ordered this from the Whelan website and it arrived today. It's an artist proof of The End Of The Road. 28" by 20". It is a giclee print on canvas. Looks pretty close to an original painting, IMO. I'm going to the frame shop tomorrow!

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/whelanendoftheroad.jpg

Bob-
He showed me this on Sunday and also showed me the 23 different variations they had to go through to get the colors scheme just right! He said getting the colors right was far more difficult than he imagined, but you are right, it looks very authentic.

[herbertwest]

I ordered this from the Whelan website and it arrived today. It's an artist proof of The End Of The Road. 28" by 20". It is a giclee print on canvas. Looks pretty close to an original painting, IMO. I'm going to the frame shop tomorrow!

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/whelanendoftheroad.jpg

Isnt supposed to be in the upcomming (well.. one day), Grand revised edition?

Bob, i bet that your frameshop must be quite happy to see you, they can watch som impressive items.. :dance:
but must also be quite scared to damage it.... :unsure:

[jayson]

I ordered this from the Whelan website and it arrived today. It's an artist proof of The End Of The Road. 28" by 20". It is a giclee print on canvas. Looks pretty close to an original painting, IMO. I'm going to the frame shop tomorrow!

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/whelanendoftheroad.jpg

firstly, that is one of my favorite of whelan's rolands. secondly, i have many canvas giclees of my own work so i know how high quality they can look when done right. congrats on that purchase, it looks amazing!

[Cutter]

very nice! :cowboy:

[bast_imret]

Wiz, excellent addition to your collection there! Glad that you and your family are doing well. Sounds like your boys really took a liking to Michael's work.

Bob, could you take a detail shot of the watch? The print looks gorgeous.

[carlosdetweiller]

Bob, could you take a detail shot of the watch? The print looks gorgeous.

I suppose so. I haven't made it to the frame shop so it is still at home. Is there anything particular about the watch that causes you to ask?

Also, there are supposed to be hidden messages in the trees. I can make out a few random letters and the occasional "19". Has anyone taken the time to find these and can clue me in?

[wizardsrainbow]

Bob, could you take a detail shot of the watch? The print looks gorgeous.

I suppose so. I haven't made it to the frame shop so it is still at home. Is there anything particular about the watch that causes you to ask?

Also, there are supposed to be hidden messages in the trees. I can make out a few random letters and the occasional "19". Has anyone taken the time to find these and can clue me in?


At about 2:00 from the birds in the sky is the word chassit

[bast_imret]

Bob, could you take a detail shot of the watch? The print looks gorgeous.

I suppose so. I haven't made it to the frame shop so it is still at home. Is there anything particular about the watch that causes you to ask?

Also, there are supposed to be hidden messages in the trees. I can make out a few random letters and the occasional "19". Has anyone taken the time to find these and can clue me in?

No, just wanted a closer shot of how the image looks on the canvas, and the watch dangling from his hand is what stood out to me.

[Ari_Racing]

Can anyone post a picture of the gift print that came with that illustration?

[oy-the-brave]

:)
Can anyone post a picture of the gift print that came with that illustration?

Mine is at the framer with the End of the Road Giclee, I probably would not have had the small print framed but Michael signed it with a greeting and a KA doodle :)

It will be at least another week before I get it back to get a pic of it

[Matt]

I just wanted to bump this thread and mention what wonderful people the Whelan's are.

The two of them have been so great to me and this site, they are both amazing.

Thank you Audrey and Michael.

[wizardsrainbow]

I just wanted to bump this thread and mention what wonderful people the Whelan's are.

The two of them have been so great to me and this site, they are both amazing.

Thank you Audrey and Michael.

I can also attest to that! :rose: :grouphug:

[Daghain]

I can attest to the fact that the site is really easy to purchase from. :)

[Spencer]

The Whelans are amazing people. I only met them at Palavercon, but throughout the event they were so wonderful to me, Audrey answering my unceasing questions :lol: , and Michael, once he found out I was a fan of his Eye and KA doodles, putting them all over my DTVII AE where he signed alongside his original sig that came in the book when I bought it. His inscriptions were very nice and humorous too. My well worn 1st edition Gunslinger got the inscription "Is this Pere Callahan's Personal Edition?", and my DTVII AE got "You are truly one of The White." :D He also gave me some scrap paper that he had made a doodle or 2 on, including a face, while he was signing. I also got to hold and take unlimited pictures of my favorite illustration of the series, the one piece of art I'd love to own more than any other, you know, this one:
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/6409/10000344bb.jpg

I can't say enough good things about the Whelans, and I'm glad to have had the honor to meet them.

[jhanic]

That's a very neat story, Spencer. You're very lucky!

John

[Spencer]

Thanks. It was awesome meeting you there too! I'll get some pics of the inscriptions and doodles when I can. :D

[Matt]

That is amazing Spencer, sounds exactly like what I have come to know of them.

(even though that has just been few communications)

[Spencer]

I also LOVED his slide show, not only his awesome fantasy paintings, but some of the album covers he's done as well, including one of my favorites, Bat Out of Hell II.

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/6254/meatloafbatoutofhell2js6.jpg

and here's another one he did that you may recognize:

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/61JFA4AG91L._SS500_.jpg

[Spencer]

Here's the inscription in my 1st edition Gunslinger:
http://img470.imageshack.us/img470/2000/00005828gk.jpg

[jayson]

that's awesome spencer. whelan is so cool!

[jhanic]

Very, very nice, Spencer!

John

[Brice]

Yeah, that's damn cool man. :D

[carlosdetweiller]

Here's the inscription in my 1st edition Gunslinger:


Very nice and undoubtedly unique.

[artan]

I also got to hold and take unlimited pictures of my favorite illustration of the series, the one piece of art I'd love to own more than any other, you know, this one:
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/6409/10000344bb.jpg


Wonderful illustration, it's one of my favourite too...

....and great inscription...

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

[Patrick]

Spencer, that is a great story! Wonderful inscriptions from a generous, talented artist.

[Spencer]

and once i actually have time to charge up my digicam batteries, I'll get pics of the other stuff. :lol:

[Patrick]

and once i actually have time to charge up my digicam batteries, I'll get pics of the other stuff. :lol:
Do it, man! Do it!

[Nerak]

Michael is top notch!

And to answer Herbertwest's question from the top of the page, this was the endpaper in VII.

The new book will have beautious endpapers as well!!

And I get to look at The End of the Road every day, well at least when Robert has it, as it hangs on the wall near my desk! :D

[Matt]

Ah, The End of the Road, that is a good one.

[Erin]

When I ordered the Legends print recently, it came rolled up with a narrow strip of thick paper keeping the print rolled. The strip of paper was a thin portion of the cover art of DT VII. You can see most of Roland, with a small bit of the Tower in the background and a bit of the field of roses. It's really cool and hanging on my wall.

Also, Whelan personally wrote a big "Thanks!" on my receipt in his distinctive handwriting. I thought it was really cool that the Whelan's put forth the effort to add these small personal touches to the shipping process. It's just another example of how thoughtful and awesome they are.

[Nerak]

I am hoping to make it down to their house this summer, If I can manage to get an invitation! LOL

[wizardsrainbow]

More of a general Michael Whelan update....

Michael has the signature pages to the new Little Sisters of Eluria/Revised Gunslinger book on his dining room table, so the book is beginning to move along following a long period of stagnation.

He has recently rediscovered his love of working with charcoal and has been doing some work with this medium. I joked with him that the charcoal sketch that he gave me earlier this year from his original Gunslinger work probably got him focused on charcoal again. :lol: He also just spent a week recently in the California desert with a couple close friends who are teaching him some awesome stuff about night photography.

I must say, he and Audrey looked fabulous and it was one of my most enjoyable nights in recent memory. They are fascinating people to talk to and the range of interesting subjects we discuss is always the highlight of our evenings together. It helps too that they are aligned pretty close to my wife's and my view on various world events and environmental issues.

To think, standing in front of and conversing with Stephen King last Friday and dinner with the Whelans on Wednesday, somebody "up there" must like me. Believe me, I realize how fortunate I really am.

[Nerak]

Michael has the signature pages to the new Little Sisters of Eluria/Revised Gunslinger book on his dining room table, so the book is beginning to move along following a long period of stagnation.


At least you squealed and not me! :lol:

[Matt]

More of a general Michael Whelan update....

Michael has the signature pages to the new Little Sisters of Eluria/Revised Gunslinger book on his dining room table, so the book is beginning to move along following a long period of stagnation.

He has recently rediscovered his love of working with charcoal and has been doing some work with this medium. I joked with him that the charcoal sketch that he gave me earlier this year from his original Gunslinger work probably got him focused on charcoal again. :lol: He also just spent a week recently in the California desert with a couple close friends who are teaching him some awesome stuff about night photography.

I must say, he and Audrey looked fabulous and it was one of my most enjoyable nights in recent memory. They are fascinating people to talk to and the range of interesting subjects we discuss is always the highlight of our evenings together. It helps too that they are aligned pretty close to my wife's and my view on various world events and environmental issues.

To think, standing in front of and conversing with Stephen King last Friday and dinner with the Whelans on Wednesday, somebody "up there" must like me. Believe me, I realize how fortunate I really am.

That sounds so cool! I love that I have met you and you know them. :lol:

[Daghain]

Is that like a six degrees of separation thing? :lol:

[Matt]

exactly!!

I've got like...two degrees from some very cool people. :rock:

[Nerak]

LOL!! :lol:

[Patrick]

Thanks for the Whelan update, Wiz.

Hey, next time you're going to see King and Whelan each in the same week, how about taking my Gunslinger 1st/1st with you and getting some sigs for your ol' pal, huh? :D

[wizardsrainbow]

Thanks for the Whelan update, Wiz.

Hey, next time you're going to see King and Whelan each in the same week, how about taking my Gunslinger 1st/1st with you and getting some sigs for your ol' pal, huh? :D

Be happy to, especially with Michael. I have had him sign other people's books. He doesn't mind at all and will inscribe to a specific person if asked.

[Patrick]

Really?! :excited: Sign me up! I'll send you my book the next time you two are going to meet up.

[wizardsrainbow]

ok, as it is a little slow around here, I am going to post two photos of some Michael Whelan work. This first one I posted once on the other site. I do not think I did it anywhere here (because it was not in my photo folder).

Anyway, we all know the artwork of Roland standing in the doorway looking at the tower. This was Michael's initial darker vision of that same scene. He sold this painting long and long ago and has no idea who owns it, but I really love it. Thought you all would like to see it (some again) too.

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/519/medium/Roland_Alternate_Tower1.JPG

[Storyslinger]

Thats beautiful! I would love to own that.

[wizardsrainbow]

This remarque of the Can-Toi was done in the S/L Art of Michael Whelan for someone, maybe even someone on this site. About 2 years ago, I got Michael to do 2 remarques for me in copies of his S/L book and people on the other site loved them so much that several requested DT drawings and were able to get them.

I know Mr. Ink got one, in fact it's part of his avatar. I recall the full shot was awesome....Walter in the golgotha at the end of the Gunslinger as I recall.

Anyway, here is another remarque that no one has seen before except the owner (and me of course). And now you. Enjoy.

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/519/medium/Whelan_Can-Toi.JPG

[Matt]

These are really amazing. I am always awed by the amount of cool stuff that is out there and the connections to people that mean I get to see it.

thanks Wiz.

[wizardsrainbow]

Welcome Matt

HA! I just realized I made a joke. Sorry, Matt, at your expense.

[Wuducynn]

This remarque of the Can-Toi was done in the S/L Art of Michael Whelan for someone, maybe even someone on this site. About 2 years ago, I got Michael to do 2 remarques for me in copies of his S/L book and people on the other site loved them so much that several requested DT drawings and were able to get them.

I know Mr. Ink got one, in fact it's part of his avatar. I recall the full shot was awesome....Walter in the golgotha at the end of the Gunslinger as I recall.

Anyway, here is another remarque that no one has seen before except the owner (and me of course). And now you. Enjoy.

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/519/medium/Whelan_Can-Toi.JPG


This is fantastic... (I've seen the other one above a long time ago and its awesome too) but this one is just really well done. Although, it looks more "taheen" than can-toi specifically.

[Matt]

Welcome Matt

HA! I just realized I made a joke. Sorry, Matt, at your expense.

That's cute...and...I've never heard it before. :rolleyes:

:lol:

[Wuducynn]

Yeah, us Matts have NEVER heard that one before...

[Daghain]

Wiz, those are nice!

[wizardsrainbow]

Wiz, those are nice!


Yeah I know! I wish I owned them.:drool:

[Daghain]

Me too! Especially that first one!

[Patrick]

Thanks for posting those, Wiz, they are both beautiful pieces of art.

That one of Roland and the Tower is amazing!

I wonder who owns them now.

[Matt]

I just posted an announcement in the news thread having to do with Michael. Please go have a look if you are interested in Dark Tower art or meeting this amazing artist.

[Nerak]

I put one in the art thread too..:)

[Wuducynn]

I can testify to the fact that Karen is not lying. She really did start a thread like that in the Artwork forum.

[Matt]

:lol:

I believe it!!

But I can't imagine such a kind and talented man could have too much exposure, so we'll leave them both going until this weekend. :rock:

[oy-the-brave]

This remarque of the Can-Toi was done in the S/L Art of Michael Whelan for someone, maybe even someone on this site. About 2 years ago, I got Michael to do 2 remarques for me in copies of his S/L book and people on the other site loved them so much that several requested DT drawings and were able to get them.

I know Mr. Ink got one, in fact it's part of his avatar. I recall the full shot was awesome....Walter in the golgotha at the end of the Gunslinger as I recall.

Anyway, here is another remarque that no one has seen before except the owner (and me of course). And now you. Enjoy.

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/519/medium/Whelan_Can-Toi.JPG

I still have not figured how to post pics that works but my remarque in the S/L Art of Michael Whelan is my avatar of Jake and Oy.

I ordered mine when I found out from Audrey at Palavercon that Michael would do a drawing in the book and asked if He could do a Jake and Oy for me.

David did you get yours earlier than me, I thought it was after I posted mine that several others ordered one but don't remember if you beat me to it :doh: .

[Patrick]

... I still have not figured how to post pics that works but my remarque in the S/L Art of Michael Whelan is my avatar of Jake and Oy.

I ordered mine when I found out from Audrey at Palavercon that Michael would do a drawing in the book and asked if He could do a Jake and Oy for me. ...

OTB, this thread (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?t=447) might help. I'd love to see your full remarque. :excited:

[oy-the-brave]

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/500/artwhelanremarque.jpg

[oy-the-brave]

Woo Hoo I finally figured how to make it work, here come the pics :D

[Daghain]

oy-the-brave, that's an awesome remarque! I love it!

[Patrick]

That looks great, Dave! Glad you figured it out. :)

[wizardsrainbow]

This remarque of the Can-Toi was done in the S/L Art of Michael Whelan for someone, maybe even someone on this site. About 2 years ago, I got Michael to do 2 remarques for me in copies of his S/L book and people on the other site loved them so much that several requested DT drawings and were able to get them.

I know Mr. Ink got one, in fact it's part of his avatar. I recall the full shot was awesome....Walter in the golgotha at the end of the Gunslinger as I recall.

Anyway, here is another remarque that no one has seen before except the owner (and me of course). And now you. Enjoy.

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/519/medium/Whelan_Can-Toi.JPG

I still have not figured how to post pics that works but my remarque in the S/L Art of Michael Whelan is my avatar of Jake and Oy.

I ordered mine when I found out from Audrey at Palavercon that Michael would do a drawing in the book and asked if He could do a Jake and Oy for me.

David did you get yours earlier than me, I thought it was after I posted mine that several others ordered one but don't remember if you beat me to it :doh: .

Dave-

My bad! You are totally correct. It WAS YOU who started the whole S/L Art of MW stampede. I forgot...senior moment, sorry about that.

[Nerak]

Dave gets those a lot lately! :huglove: j/k

[jhanic]

Hey, Karen! No fair picking on us "seasoned citizens"! Don't forget, you're getting there too! :panic:

John

[Nerak]

Hey, I am still on the upside of 40! Or is that the downside of 30? I'll take the downside! LOL

I am NOT getting there!! LOL

[oy-the-brave]

This remarque of the Can-Toi was done in the S/L Art of Michael Whelan for someone, maybe even someone on this site. About 2 years ago, I got Michael to do 2 remarques for me in copies of his S/L book and people on the other site loved them so much that several requested DT drawings and were able to get them.

I know Mr. Ink got one, in fact it's part of his avatar. I recall the full shot was awesome....Walter in the golgotha at the end of the Gunslinger as I recall.

Anyway, here is another remarque that no one has seen before except the owner (and me of course). And now you. Enjoy.

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/519/medium/Whelan_Can-Toi.JPG

I still have not figured how to post pics that works but my remarque in the S/L Art of Michael Whelan is my avatar of Jake and Oy.

I ordered mine when I found out from Audrey at Palavercon that Michael would do a drawing in the book and asked if He could do a Jake and Oy for me.

David did you get yours earlier than me, I thought it was after I posted mine that several others ordered one but don't remember if you beat me to it :doh: .

Dave-

My bad! You are totally correct. It WAS YOU who started the whole S/L Art of MW stampede. I forgot...senior moment, sorry about that.

It's not like it really mattered it was just I was thinking I had the "senior moment" :panic:

[Mr. Ink]

Hi Wiz, here's that Wolves AE:
425

[wizardsrainbow]

This is a day overdue but I was in Vermont all day yesterday dropping my son off at summer camp but...

HAPPY 58th BIRTHDAY TO MICHAEL WHELAN!!!

Michael, you have done more to open my eyes to the world of art than you will ever know, and your work is truely AMAZING!

Thank you for sharing your gift with us, and can't wait to see all of the new work in the Little Sisters S/L.

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

[Nerak]

Happy belated, Michael!!

[carlosdetweiller]

Happy Birthday, Michael! 1950 was a REALLY good year, wasn't it?

[jhanic]

Happy birthday Michael! May you have many, many more!

John

[Matt]

Is it today, or did I miss it?

At any rate, happy birthday Michael. Your artwork has been an inspiration to me over the years.

[oy-the-brave]

Happy Birthday Michael, hope you had a great one :)

[wizardsrainbow]

Is it today, or did I miss it?

At any rate, happy birthday Michael. Your artwork has been an inspiration to me over the years.


Matt-

It was the 29th, yesterday. I was not able to highlight it for people as I was travelling.

[Ari_Racing]

Happy Birthday!! :)

[Brice]

Happy birthday Michael! :)

[Cutter]

Happy Birthday!

Btw, I just received a Stephen R. Donaldson book, The Mirror of Her Dreams. It is signed by Donaldson and Whelan, who did the jacket artwork.

I also read sci-fi and fantasy, along with horror, and it’s amazing how much work I’ve come across of Michael’s. Not only do I love his stuff, but I really enjoy some of the other book covers I’ve come across. Asimov, Bradbury, Moorcock, etc… He’s illustrated some top notch authors, and it’s very interesting to see him in another medium besides the Dark Tower, because it’s so hard to disassociate him from the DT because he’s meant so much to the series. And when you see him in another medium it’s cool.

[Daghain]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

[artan]

I like Michael Whelan artwork and I love his DT artwork as well

When I bought "the gunslinger", I was about 15 years old.
I didn't know who was Stephen king, I bought it for the cover.
Now, I still love Dark Tower books. :thumbsup:

This is my favourite:
http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/3401/gunslingeruz2.jpg

(This is the cover of Italian 1st Ed.)

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/9094/gunslinger2qo3.jpg

Happy Birthday!

[Patrick]

Happy Belated, Michael! Hope it was a good one. :rock:

[wizardsrainbow]

My wife and I spent last evening with the Whelans and got caught up on all of our various projects etc. I can say that the signature sheets for the new Little Sisters S/L are all signed and have been sent on. Michael is working very hard at present on his own gallery work. He has an exhibit on Cape Cod at Tree's Place in August and also has new relationships with a gallery in upstate CT and one in Santa Fe New Mexico. We had a very relaxing evening full of discussion. He signed both of Ari's books and one from a friend of his from Spain as well as 4 of my 2nd edition Gunslingers that I had not had him sign on previous evenings together. Last night, he got a little fancier (usually a gold pen signature and perhaps a drawn CK or "eye") in how he signed the books. Here is one typical example of what he did in my Gunslinger:

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/519/medium/Gunslinger_MW.JPG

[Pasiuk57]

Dave
NICE!
Helps to know the artist!!

[jhanic]

Wow, that's a neat autograph!

John

[oy-the-brave]

Very cool Dave :thumbsup:

[Nerak]

:( Jealous :(

[herbertwest]

rocks!

[Patrick]

Oh man, that is sweet!

[Daghain]

*insanely jealous*

Very nice!

[wizardsrainbow]

*insanely jealous*

Very nice!

Hey Daggers. Nice to see you in these parts!

[Daghain]

I do troll on a regular basis, I just usually don't have much to say. :)

[Pasiuk57]

I just picked up a copy of The Art of Michael Whelan signed Limited #121 I believe. (I'm typing this from work and the book is at home). It was remarqued on two different pages by Michael Whelan and I will try to load some photos soon. What a great book! The slipcase and book itself are extremely heavy. A truly nice work!

[wizardsrainbow]

That's what I've been trying to tell you people all along!! :P

Oy-the-brave started it all though.

[Airtraffic]

That is a great sig....:rock:

[turtlex]

So.
Very.
Cool.

[alinda]

Nice, and the web site is exception too!

[wizardsrainbow]

Micheal just has a new show this past weekend at Tree's Place in Orleans Mass. on Cape Cod. Check it out here: http://www.treesplace.com/

I saw all the artwork in person on Sunday and it was truely breathtaking! Seeing in person was far superior to the posted images.

[wizardsrainbow]

Did anyone look at Michael's gallery work? Like it? Didn't? Just curious.

[Patrick]

Did anyone look at Michael's gallery work? Like it? Didn't? Just curious.

Do you mean this gallery (http://www.treesplace.com/Artist%20pages/Artists/Whelan/Image%20lists/MW-%20Page%201%20of%202.htm) on the site you linked above? :thumbsup:

Michael Whelan is an incredible artist. Of course, we already knew that!

[Daghain]

I like all his stuff!

Of course, I'm partial to the Dark Tower stuff...:D

[wizardsrainbow]

Did anyone look at Michael's gallery work? Like it? Didn't? Just curious.

Do you mean this gallery (http://www.treesplace.com/Artist%20pages/Artists/Whelan/Image%20lists/MW-%20Page%201%20of%202.htm) on the site you linked above? :thumbsup:

Michael Whelan is an incredible artist. Of course, we already knew that!


yes that one Patrick. The person in Astrophysicist is his son, and obviously Michael himself in Winging It

[Patrick]

Did anyone look at Michael's gallery work? Like it? Didn't? Just curious.

Do you mean this gallery (http://www.treesplace.com/Artist%20pages/Artists/Whelan/Image%20lists/MW-%20Page%201%20of%202.htm) on the site you linked above? :thumbsup:

Michael Whelan is an incredible artist. Of course, we already knew that!


yes that one Patrick. The person in Astrophysicist is his son, and obviously Michael himself in Winging It

Cool. I took another look, and you're right, that does look like Michael in Winging it. I need a bigger computer monitor. I love the colors in Astrophysicist, and what a sweet way to honor his son.

[wizardsrainbow]

This past Saturday night, Michael had an opening in a local Connecticut art gallery (the IO Gallery) in the northwest part of the state. The reception was from 5-7 pm and I braved the after-effects of Hurricane Hanna to drive there. The show was incredibly well attended (over 100 people) given the absolutely dismal weather conditions, but I was very glad to have made the trek. Michael's whole family was there, and I got to meet his two grown-up children for the first time. There wasn't any new artwork that I had not seen before, but it is still breathtaking to see all the fine workmanship up close and personal. He brought some works from home and others from Tree's Place (the gallery on Cape Cod where he had a showing in mid-August).

I learned a few fun facts, one of which is that Michael sometimes uses a whisker from one of his cats to paint the individual blades of grass in some of his work. Too funny!

Here is the link to the gallery for those of you who are interested. The prices are not for the faint of heart!

After I returned home, I played a joke on my 15 1/2 year old son and said " I'm very sorry I won't be able to buy you a car when you turn 16 because I just bought a painting tonight." Priceless :dance:

http://www.theiogallery.com/main/

[Matt]

After I returned home, I played a joke on my 15 1/2 year old son and said " I'm very sorry I won't be able to buy you a car when you turn 16 because I just bought a painting tonight." Priceless :dance:

:rofl:

I bet he LOVED that!

(meaning...WTF?!?!)

[Daghain]

Oh, nice one, Brian. How big did his eyes get, exactly? :lol:

[wizardsrainbow]

Only big for a second or two, but I couldn't keep a straight face, so he caught on pretty quick.

[Daghain]

:lol:

[Nerak]

After I returned home, I played a joke on my 15 1/2 year old son and said " I'm very sorry I won't be able to buy you a car when you turn 16 because I just bought a painting tonight." Priceless :dance:

http://www.theiogallery.com/main/

David, you are mean mean mean mean!! I love it! LOL

And the prices on that art :scared::scared::scared::scared:

[Patrick]

Thanks for the update on your evening, Wiz, and for the link too.

Your poor kid. :wtf:

[carlosdetweiller]

I didn't know where to post this. Most of you may already know this but I just read it. Congratulations to Michael!

http://michaelwhelan.com/catalog/newsdetail.php?id=49&osCsid=53efd6d493c216ff31ee4acb6027aa2d

[Randall Flagg]

Thanks Bob. I created a specific thread for this, this thread will later be merged into the Michael Whelan artist thread (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?t=1387).

[Nerak]

awsome!!! :rock::rock:

[Sam]

Very well deserved. Michael's name is nearly always on the ballot come Hugo Award time. He deserves this honor.

[Matt]

This is wonderful news, so well deserved. :rock:

[jhanic]

I can't think of anyone more deserving. Congratulations!

John

[Daghain]

:clap:

Excellent!

[Patrick]

Excellent! Congratulations, Michael!

[jayson]

Definitely a well-deserved award for Mr. Whelan. Congratulations Michael!

[oy-the-brave]

Congrats Michael, well deserved :clap:

[turtlex]

I had no idea... but am very thrilled for him. Kudos!

He's such an incredible artist, it's wonderful seeing him honored for what he does.

Thanks for posting it.

[wizardsrainbow]

As Michael is a very modest man, Audrey told me that Michael is the first LIVING artist to be inducted into the hall. That speaks volumes to me.

Congratulations Michael.

[CRinVA]

simply awesome and well earned!

[Ari_Racing]

Congratulations, Michael! :)

[Fsmdr]

Much congratulations,Michael!. We are all very happy for you.

[herbertwest]

he definitely deserves it!

[Patrick]

As Michael is a very modest man, Audrey told me that Michael is the first LIVING artist to be inducted into the hall. That speaks volumes to me.

Congratulations Michael.

I was already impressed, now I'm even more so.

Again, congrats, Michael.

[gsvec]

Ditto to that! What a phenominal honor for Michael - completely deserved! :thumbsup:

[Pasiuk57]

Michael is an unbelievable artist who deserves it!

[wizardsrainbow]

Not much I can update you all on regarding Michael. I have not seen him in almost 3 months now. He will be inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame late this month and he has recently finished a new painting (trust me it is WAY cool). He is working on several things for me, but he and Audrey have just been so busy, I have not had a chance to get together with them. And given the upcoming induction ceremony, it is unlikely I will see them until July.

I have some books for him to sign, but please be patient awhile longer. Thanks.

[carlosdetweiller]

Last week I took a trip into Santa Fe and made it a point to stop at the Chalk Farm Gallery which has fairly recently begun representing Michael Whelan. They had six or seven of Michael's original paintings hanging for sale. One had sold fairly recently but was still hanging. No illustrations (and certainly no Dark Tower stuff) but all were of the "personal vision" variety. It's really amazing work and a treat for me to see so many original paintings. The other artists represented in the gallery were also very good.

[Nerak]

David...is Michael working on new stuff for Centipede Press? He hinted on FB that there was more DT art to come...

[wizardsrainbow]

David...is Michael working on new stuff for Centipede Press? He hinted on FB that there was more DT art to come...

Yes, the piece he finished last month was DT-related. He gave me a sneak peak. It's way cool.

[Nerak]

:excited::excited::excited::excited:
:excited::excited::excited::excited:

[turtlex]

Yes, completely and totally what Karen said. :D

[wizardsrainbow]

Wishing my friend Michael Whelan a VERY Happy Birthday today and a hearty congratulations for becoming the only living artist inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame this past Saturday.

Michael, we love you and your work and can't wait to see where your imagination takes us next.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

[Brice]

Happy birthday Mr. Whelan! :)

[Room 217 Caretaker]

Wishing my friend Michael Whelan a VERY Happy Birthday today and a hearty congratulations for becoming the only living artist inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame this past Saturday.

Michael, we love you and your work and can't wait to see where your imagination takes us next.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday Michael. Hope you sleep in later than David does. :cyclops:

Mulleins
Cumberland VA

[turtlex]

Happy Birthday, Mr. Whelan...and many congratulations.

[Ari_Racing]

Happy Birthday, Michael! :)

[Randall Flagg]

Happy Birthday Michael Whelan!

[Nerak]

I said it on FB but I will say it here too,

Happy Birthday My Friend! :huglove:

[oy-the-brave]

Happy Birthday Michael Whelan:)

[ladysai]

Many happy returns of the day!
:D

[Patrick]

Happy Birthday, Michael Whelan!

[wizardsrainbow]

Am headed to the Whelan's tonight. I'll give everyone an update tomorrow on what's going on.

And, Jerome, Steve, Ricky, I will finally get your books signed. You have all been very patient!!!

[Kidd Ikarus]

Happy Birthday, Michael Whelan!!

[Ari_Racing]

Have fun, Wiz! :) Say hello for me!

[Patrick]

Have a good visit, David.

[gsvec]

Wish I was there with ya, Wiz! :D Hope you're having a great time!

[wizardsrainbow]

Last night I spent some time with Audrey and Michael. Special guest last night was a long-time friend of theirs from NYC who was Michael's model for Walter in DT VII. I arrived late (8pm) because of ferrying various kids around late in the day. We sat and has a wonderful meal and conversation which ranged from Grant Books to Michael's recent awards ceremony to books and films.

Then Michael shared with me some sketches he had done recently that would knock your socks off. He is working on a special project that may take months to come to fruition, but the wait will be worth it in the end. Trust me on that one!

He then graciously signed the books that I had brought with me....most from other Collectors here on the site, but three of my own as well. Unfortunately he was not in a drawing mood last evening, so he did everything with his standard gold pen. Still I am pleased with what he did for people and for myself. I hope no one is disappointed when they get their books. With Michael, you just have to go with the flow of that particular evening.

After the signings, we retired to his media room and watched a quite bizarre movie titled Night Watch by an unheard of Russian producer. This was a 2003 (?) flick and a sequal Day Watch came out in 2007. It was interesting, a bit hard to follow at times, but it had its moments. Interesting to watch a movie with Michael as he focused a lot on the imagery, symbolism etc. parts of the flick. After the movie, we just talked a bit more and I left for home a little past 1am. All in all, a fairly quiet, tame but very enjoyable evening with the Whelans and their friend.

Michael has signed almost all the books I would want him to sign at this point, but I trotted out a DT VII UK trade hardcover, a Viking Gunslinger and a 1st edition US Legends for him to sign this time. Pictures are below. I am still waiting (almost 4 months) for him to do something special ($$) in 5 books for me. Hopefully within the next month I will get them back and I can then share them with you. But in the meantime, some simpler Whelan work below:

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/519/medium/Whelan_DTVII_UK.jpg

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/519/medium/Whelan_Gun_Callahan.jpg

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/519/medium/Whelan_Legends.jpg

[turtlex]

Oh, David - those are just great !! Sounds like a fun evening.

Ka Is A Wheel, indeed!

[jhanic]

I'm a bit envious, David. Congratulations!

John

[Ari_Racing]

A wonderful evening! :) I think we have all a little bit of envy :D

[carlosdetweiller]

Good stuff, David! Me? Oh, I mowed the yard yesterday evening.

[turtlex]

Good stuff, David! Me? Oh, I mowed the yard yesterday evening.


:rofl:

I like to think that David attends these dinners as our proxy. It's the closest I'll ever get.

[Nerak]

Bob, I got you beat, I spent the night sitting on my bed playing with a two year old and 3 month old while reading Harry Potter!!!
Would have rather been at Michael's for dinner and a movie! LE SIGH!

[wizardsrainbow]

Good stuff, David! Me? Oh, I mowed the yard yesterday evening.


:rofl:

I like to think that David attends these dinners as our proxy. It's the closest I'll ever get.

Never say that. You make a date to come visit me sometime and I will work like heck to arrange some time with the Whelans. It's as simple as that.

[turtlex]

Ah. How sweet.

( and I think I'd be totally star-struck... )

[Patrick]

Sounds like a lovely evening, David. I like the inscribed books too. :)

[herbertwest]

anyone have scans of the illustrations in LSOE?

[Spencer]

Those are great David! I love the inscriptions he makes, he has a great sense of humor.

I FINALLY got a copy of "The Art of Micheal Whelan" yesterday, I'd seen it a bunch of times at various people's homes and flipped through a lot, I've got my own copy now, and got a pleasant surprise when I found that it was signed! It was just a random used copy I bought off eBay, certainly didn't expect that, and the inscription is awesome too. The book brings back great memories of a lot of the stuff from the slide show he presented at PalaverCon, and I can look at the Hokas anytime I want now! I love those dudes, and wish there was a print available of Moriarty Hoka. :lol:

Now, as for another VERY famous painting Michael did, I found this article:


Adding to its growing collection of extremely rare Michael Jackson-related offerings, Profiles in History has acquired the original "Victory" album cover art, painted by renowned artist Michael Whelan. The museum framed, 36" x 21" work of art is being consigned by Whelan himself and comes with a signed certificate of authenticity from the artist. It is the first time the piece has been offered for sale and fans at Comic Con in San Diego, CA will see it exhibited for the first time ever. The estimated sale price is $40,000-$60,000 and will be part of the Profiles in History auction of Hollywood memorabilia October 1 and 2, 2009.

"This is the most historic piece of Michael Jackson album art extant from the height of his career," said Joe Maddalena, president of Profiles in History.
Whelan, who was commissioned to create the "Victory" album cover art by Michael Jackson in 1984, is a multiple-award-winning American artist. He worked for over 30 years as an illustrator specializing in science fiction and fantasy before devoting all his work to a fine art career. His art has appeared on over 350 book and magazine covers, including many by Stephen King, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert Heinlein and others.

"My experience with Michael and the other Jackson brothers, while admittedly brief, was different from what I've been reading in the papers or seeing on TV broadcasts. My recollection of Michael was as an articulate, considerate, soft spoken man, generous with his time and his compliments. His music has the power to unite us in sound, and I was fortunate to have had a part in the "Victory" album. I've held onto the painting he commissioned from me as a memento of those days, and for many years it has been hanging over the doorway to my studio. Now, I feel, it's time for me to share it," said Whelan.

The "Victory" album cover artwork depicts Michael Jackson wearing his iconic illuminating white glove. The glove will also be part of the Profiles in History auction in October and will be displayed "side-by-side" next to the artwork at the Profiles in History booth, #315, at Comic Con.

[wizardsrainbow]

Spencer--
I saw all of Michael's Jackson memorabilia when I was last at the house. We discussed how best to auction that painting. It was flattering to be asked my opinions.

[Spencer]

Spencer--
I saw all of Michael's Jackson memorabilia when I was last at the house. We discussed how best to auction that painting. It was flattering to be asked my opinions.

:O

That's awesome. Now, if he allows photos to be taken of that stuff next time you go... :lol:

[Patrick]

Wow! Nice price estimate for that painting if you are Michael Whelan. It will be interesting to hear what the final sales price turns out to be in early October.

[wizardsrainbow]

I have had this for awhile now, but it is my latest addition to my Whelan painting collection...

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/519/medium/Whelan_Feral_Girl.jpg

[Room 217 Caretaker]

Very nice David.

What is the size? about 24 x 24?

Looks awesome. I love his detail in the bark of the tree

Mulleins
Cumberland VA

[wizardsrainbow]

yes, about 24x24

[Room 217 Caretaker]

David,

Do you ever sleep? :wtf:

Ralph

[Randall Flagg]

Very beautiful.

[Patrick]

Nice!