Paul R. Gregory | |
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| Born | Paul Raymond Gregory (1949-07-12)12 July 1949 (age 76) |
| Known for | Album art |
| Notable work | |
| Style | Fantasy art |
| Website | www |
Paul Raymond Gregory (born 12 July 1949) is an English artist, best known for hisJ. R. R. Tolkien-inspiredfantasy paintings and rockalbum covers. He has also createdbook covers and is a co-founder ofBloodstock Open Air Heavy Metal Festival.[2] Gregory has created a total of 30 album covers for well known rock musicians and solo artists, such asMolly Hatchet,Dio,Uriah Heep,Blind Guardian,[3][4]Saxon and Nowadays.[4]
During the 1970s, Gregory opened a gallery in his home village, where he exhibited several local and international artists' work. Around this time, he began producing a series of paintings based on J. R. R. Tolkien's epic taleThe Lord of the Rings. His first canvas was completed in 1978 and measured 10 feet (3.0 m) x 6 feet (1.8 m).[5] His Tolkien artwork, album artwork and other collected works are featured in a book he authored.[6] As of 2015[update], art dealerPeter Nahum owns most of the Tolkien-inspired artwork.[7]
Greogory's Tolkien-inspired fantasy art has been featured on 30 album covers.[3] In 1984 Gregory painted the sleeve artwork forSaxon's albumCrusader,[8] the first of fifteen for the band. Other rock andheavy metal bands for whom he has designed sleeves includeDio,Uriah Heep,Blind Guardian,Molly Hatchet,Freedom Call,The Company of Snakes, Beholder and Battalion.[9]
He has also produced cover art for books by fantasy novelistCecilia Dart-Thornton.[3]
In 2001, Gregory co-founded Amust4music, the company behindBloodstock Open Air—an event which currently attracts crowds of around 15,000.[10]
For more than three decades, British artist Paul Raymond Gregory has been considered as one of the most celebrated Tolkien-oriented painters worldwide.
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