Beyond Science Fiction: The Alternative Realism of Michael Whelan

Escape to thought-provoking realms and explore awe-inspiring vistas with Michael Whelan's "Beyond Science Fiction" art book. Throughout a credentialed career spanning nearly 5 decades, Michael Whelan has successfully straddled the historically at-odds worlds of fine art and commercial illustration. HIs work represents a logic-defying blend of pop-culture-defining imagery and impassioned personal expression that resonates with sophisticated art collectors as well as with top professionals in genre media. Michael Whelan's significance as the architect of a unique genus of imaginative art that combines the detail-rich techniques of realist painting with the time-honored tradition of illustrating mankind's dreams and aspirations, is at the forefront of defining and establishing "Alternative Realism" as a contemporary art movement. In honor of Michael's retrospective exhibition at the Riverside Museum of Art, Baby Tattoo is publishing a collector's edition book in a popular 7"x10" graphic novel size that will visually explore the interconnected nature of Michael's work and will chronicle the significance of its place in history. Michael has won an unprecedented 15 Hugo Awards (SF's Oscar), 3 World Fantasy Awards, and 13 Chesleys from the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists. The readers of Locus Magazine (for SF insiders) have named him Best Professional Artist 30 times in their annual poll (including 2014) and the Spectrum Annual of the Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art named him a Grand Master in 2004. Other noteworthy awards include a Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators, a Vargas Award, a Grumbacher Gold Medal, and the Solstice Award from the Science Fiction Writers of America.