World Famous Comics: Welcome To My Worlds: The Art of Rob Alexander
Welcome To My Worlds: The Art of Rob Alexander
By: Rob Alexander Publisher: Paper Tiger Average Rating: Binding: Hardcover Label: Paper Tiger Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 128 Publication Date: June 28, 2005
Here is the very first book devoted to the work of Chesley Award Winner Rob Alexander, one of the most versatile and highly respected artists today. Alexander's gorgeous watercolors look more like oils or acrylics, and he has a subtle, beautiful, and wonderfully evocative style that works well in a variety of genres. Although his images have appeared in such publications as Amazing Stories and Cricket magazine, he's best known as the painter who creates pictures of sad-eyed women, eerie beings who perch in trees or carve mysterious messages in skulls, hauntingly lovely landscapes, and young children who either discover, imagine, or make wondrous things. All these facets of his art are represented in this breathtaking collection.
Thanks for the invitation, Rob :) I first became aware of Rob's work when I came across the (outrageously expensive) fantasy short-story anthology THE LAST CONTINENT: NEW TALES OF ZOTHIQUE (available here at Amazon, too). The gloomy but beautifully depicted ruins and landscape on the cover really left a lasting impression (though the fact that the book was about a dying earth and the misadventures of its inhabitants contributed to the impression as well). The cover art is fully reproduced in full color in the 128-page book reviewed here, as are many pieces originally done for game cards, book illustrations etc. Many if not most of the works are watercolors, and Rob's favorite themes include ancient, deserted ruins, grand but vacant landscapes, or a combination of the two. Also often found are depictions of dark and sinister abodes such as forests and caves. People and humanoid creatures sometimes appear, but are often alone in the pictures and rarely seem happy.
While the extremely well-reproduced pictures are often first-rate in quality with their vision and attention to detail, there is a certain gloomy, oppressive pall that weighs on the overall contents of the book. It feels dark and heavy. The worlds depicted in the pics often feel disquietingly quiet (pun intended). One wonders if a certain pessimistic outlook on life -- the vanity and impermanence of all things, as seen in those deserted ruins -- might have been expressed through the paintings. Rob really should do some pieces for Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos; indeed it's something of a surprise to me that he hasn't done so yet (unless I missed something), given the style of his work.
Interestingly, Rob is attracted to East Asian culture, and this shows in some of the pieces. One of them, a very wide pic entitled 'Ancient Places', was supposed to depict what sorts of dwellings he imagined Japanese elves would have!
Overall, the artwork showcased in this volume is great, but I would have preferred that Rob did some HAPPY pictures as well, with brighter, less somber colors and more activity and excitement. Bring a little more sunshine and laughter into your worlds in future, Rob. :)
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
