World Famous Comics: Sparrow: Rick Berry (Art Books)
Sparrow: Rick Berry (Art Books)
By: Rick Berry Publisher: IDW Publishing Average Rating: Binding: Hardcover Label: IDW Publishing Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 48 Publication Date: February 29, 2008
Product Description: The Sparrow hardcover art book series continues with this mini-showcase of celebrated painter Rick Berry's stylistic offerings. Berry, credited with producing the first digitally painted book cover in the world (William Gibson's Neuromancer) has provided acclaimed images for feature film and deluxe Stephen King book editions, and takes his place alongside Ashley Wood, Phil Hale, Kent Williams, and the other artists whose books comprise The Sparrow series.
Modern Masterpiece Sparrow: Rick Berry (Art Books)
For more years than I care to remember, I've been a fan of illustrative art--especially that to be found in the old pulp magazines, primarily (at the start) the science fiction and fantasy pulps. (I'm responsible, largely, for "Pulp Culture, the Art of Fiction magazines" and "Science Fiction of the 20th Century: An Illustrated History.")
What's always struck me is that once an illustrative artist develops his own unique style, he seldom varies from it. Virgil Finlay, Hannes Bok, Frank R. Paul, J. Allen St. John, Hubert Rogers, Kelly Freas and Michael Whelan can be recognized at a glance. In a larger sense, so can N. C. Wyeth for his paintings for children's books, J. C. Leyendecker in his covers for Collier's and the Saturday Evening Post and his ads for the "Arrow Collar Man," Maxfield Parrish for his advertising art and huge murals immortalizing fantasy fables.
But all of the above--and I respect and love them all--once they perfected their style, never changed. There is only one artist I know of whose artistic ability has changed and grown as he matured. Richard Berry is self-taught, painted covers for science fiction and fantasy paperbacks, invented computer artistry practically single-handed ("Necromancer" by William Gibson), painted atmospheric illustrations for books by Stephen King, and is now creating an impressionistic, emotional art that is vastly different from anything out there--but is conceptually intriguing and emotionally moving. Every one of his paintings is unique, everyone one is different, every one is surprising in concept and execution. Berry's style is...lack of style.
"Sparrow" is a slim volume containing the best of Berry's recent paintings, all of them of museum quality. From the dynamic motion of the figure in "Frost," from the thoughtful figures in "Forsaken" to the speculative look on the face of the young man in "Quiz" to the lonely motorcycle in "Nailhouse Row," Berry has accomplished what I never thought an "illustrator" would.
Berry has transcended "illustration" into the field of fine art. His work should be sold in upscale galleries and in auctions at Sotheby's. He's one of a kind and I doubt very much that you will ever see another like him.
This slim collection of his paintings is exquisitely printed and an unbelievable bargain for the price.
--Frank M. Robinson
One of the greats I can speak directly from experience (as a working illustrator and concept artist) that the bold and visionary work of Rick Berry lit the path for my own artistic trajectory. I would not be where I am if it weren't for the influence of his work.
I increasingly find that Berry's work is a testament to what can be achieved with a simple image. From "double memory" through a career of stellar illustrative works, and now tackling fine art, he has remained consistent regardless of venue. Rick Berry is truly unfaltering in his pursuit of excellence. The book is deceivingly modest (and by far my favorite of the Sparrow series), but shouldn't be taken lightly based on those physical dimensions. This compact book functions as a keyhole into his awe inspiring studio. This book thankfully reveals he hasn't lost his love for visceral figurative works, authoritative command in his paint handling or the mystical narrative qualities that seem to sneak to the surface ... he's only taken it to another level. The metaphorical mingles with the literal, the gestural weighted equally with the representational, and the miraculous coexists with the mundane. Trappings of genre or commercial pandering have been stripped away ... the images are honest, direct, and potent.
Over the years, Berry has provided an indelible mark in my mind of what art should aspire to achieve ... and no matter how morbidly short I fall of that mark, at least I know the mark exists. Whenever in doubt, I thankfully have this book to remind me where I am. It's compact and good for travel ... a perfect compass for when I invariably lose my way.
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