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Boris Vallejo | |
|---|---|
 Vallejo in April 2005 | |
| Born | (1941-01-08)January 8, 1941 (age 84) Lima, Peru |
| Spouse | Julie Bell |
| Website | borisjulie |
Boris Vallejo (born January 8, 1941)[1][2] is aPeruvian-American painter[3] who works in thescience fiction,fantasy, anderotica genres.[3] Hishyper-representational paintings have appeared on the covers of numerous science fiction,sword and sorcery, andfantasy fiction novels and movie posters. They are also sold through a series of annual calendars.
Born in 1941[4] inLima, Peru, Vallejo began painting at the age of 13, in 1954, and obtained his first illustration job three years later in 1957 at the age of 16. He attendedEscuela Nacional Superior Autónoma de Bellas Artes on a five-year scholarship, and was awarded a prize medal.[5]
After emigrating to the United States in 1964, at the age of 23, he quickly garnered a fan following from his illustrations ofTarzan,Conan the Barbarian,Doc Savage, and various other fantasy characters (often done for paperback-fiction works featuring the characters). This led to commissions for movie-poster illustration, advertisement illustration, and artwork for various collectibles, includingFranklin Mint paraphernalia, trading cards, and sculpture. Along with his wifeJulie Bell, Vallejo presents his artwork in an annual calendar and various books.
Vallejo's preferred artistic medium is oil on board, and he has previously used photographs to combine discrete images to form composite images.[6] Preparatory works are pencil or ink sketches, which have been displayed in the bookSketchbook. He and Julie Bell have worked on collaborative artworks together, in which they sign the artwork with both names.[7]
Vallejo has producedfilm posters for numerous fantasy and action movies, includingKnightriders (1981),Q (1982), andBarbarian Queen (1985). He has also illustrated posters for comedies, notablyNational Lampoon's Vacation (1983),European Vacation (1985),Nothing but Trouble (1991) andAqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters (2007), co-created with Bell.[8]
He illustrated the 1978 Tarzan calendar.[9] His sea serpent paintings hang in the queue ofLoch Ness Monster, a rollercoaster atBusch Gardens Williamsburg.
His art was also featured in the 1995 card gameHyborian Gates.[10]
He received theInkpot Award in 1978.[11] He received theBritish Fantasy Award for best artist in 1979[12] for his paintingThe Amazon Princess and her Pet.[13] Vallejo also won the 2011Chesley Award forLifetime Artistic Achievement,[14][15] and the 2014 Chesley Award for Best Product Illustration.[16]
Vallejo's published works include:
A yearly calendar of 13 paintings by Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell is produced by Workman Publishing.[22]
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