Tragic news today, May 10, 2010 - The industry and the fantasy art-loving community WORLDWIDE are mourning the loss of legendary illustrator/painter, Frank Frazetta.
The facts are a click away so I'll spare anyone a repeat of the details. I'll simply recount a story. Frazetta's work has inspired me deeply, as with thousands upon thousands of artists over the last 40 + years. When I was a kid I discovered one of Frank's books in a bookstore at a mall. Every time we went to the place I'd break off from the group and stand in the bookstore for however long my folks chose to be at the dreaded place ;) Wether it was 10 minutes or over an hour, they knew I'd be right there in front of the fantasy art section wearing out the book store's only copy of The Fantastic Art Of Frank Frazetta. That bookstore was my haven, and I was safe in the arms of Frazetta's world. I was 9 years old when this little love affair began. Every year, at every birthday all I wanted was that book. But it had violence and naked women in it! My parents just couldn't see any good reason for a 9 or 10 year old boy to be reading material like that. They had their good reasons. So for nearly 5 years I never stopped going to that book store to see the amazing Frazetta books and for 5 years I pleaded with my parents to let me have that book. And finally in 1980 (Now the book was in it's 9th printing!) it was truly a happy birthday.
My parents finally understood that my love for this art went beyond the cheap thrill of naked women and violence (OK, not totally ;) I finally owned my first Frazetta book! I lived with it. I took it everywhere. One day I decided to take it to school, it was still winter and there was snow, slush and ice everywhere. At the bus stop an older, bigger kid wanted to see my book. I didn't want to show it to him because he was an ass and I didn't like him. I told him "no way". He didn't like being told no, and there were others standing around, he had to save face, so he tried to grab it from me. He pulled it out of my hands and it fell into the slush. I flipped out. My book was ruined! I grabbed the book out of the slush and all I really remember was the surprised look on the older kid's face when I decked him. All I saw was RED, like a berserker out of one of Frazetta's paintings. I had to be pulled off him by the bus driver. I of course had to go to the school office to explain myself. There I sat, dejected, angry, my slush-damaged book gripped in my hands . . . The principle asked me a few questions about how the fight started and I don't really remember what exactly I said to him, but it must have made an impression. He let me off with a warning and asked me to keep my book at home. I still have that book. The cover is long gone - The cover was "Egyptian Queen" - I'm sure you are familiar with the book. The pages are wrinkled a bit and discolored in areas because of the water damage, the spine is shredded and hardly legible, yet still to this day it's one of my prized possessions. My 14 year old fingers touched those pages, it's weird. It's like a time capsule.
It's very difficult to articulate how much Frazetta influenced me. That influence does not seem readily apparent in my work after all. Sure, I tried my hand at drawing just like Frazetta just like everyone else did. A lot of great artists have tried and have fallen short. Frazetta's influence with me goes deeper - our hearts are connected, style and process are simply a means to an end. I read Frazetta's own words speaking to what goes through his mind when he creates, and that confirms for me that we share a common connection. He may have painted with fire, but the coals are stoked somewhere much more deep down in the soul. I feel the loss of Frazetta to my own soul, he's been a big part of my life for over 30 years, nearly all of my life. I never met him. I stood 15 feet from him once at the San Diego Comicon in the late 90's. That was a magical moment. Magical because as Frank walked by with his two friends, the area around him fell silent. Little whispers, "It's Frazetta!" - "Holy Shit it's Frazetta!" - "Oh my God, it's . . . " It was bizarre. It was like a 200 foot radius of hushed silence following him around the show. I saw Brain Froud's eyes go pop. He stood there slack-jawed . . .
Brian Froud! It was like Elvis walked by. I've never seen anything like that before or since. It just goes to show how amazingly revered Frank was among his peers and fans, how respected he is. Frazetta gave the genre credibility from the fine art crowd. He came in like a ferocious storm and grabbed people by the throat with his incredible talent and vision. People don't come along like that very often, and we're all blessed to have been a part of it, to witness it. It's Mickey Mantle, it's T.E. Lawrence, it's Muhammad Ali, It's Elvis, it's Michael Jordan stuff. It's the stuff of legends. Thank you Frank.
Well said, my brother. I was lucky enough to not only meet Frank at that SD con (Billy Tucci posted of photo of all of us on his Facebook page) but to get a drawing from him that he inscribed with a dedication that will inspire me for a lifetime. He was a true talent and more so a gentleman who truly deserves the legendary status that will now fulfill his destiny. A god has fallen, never to return or be replaced. RIP Frank Frazetta.
Posted by: Joe | May 10, 2010 at 12:40 PM
Thanks for alerting me to this news this morning, Joe. We are all Frank's children in a way, the one's not squabbling for a piece of him because we already got ours ;) You've told me about that dedication before and that is MOST special. What a treasure! We will keep the faith ;) - TB
Posted by: Tim Bradstreet | May 10, 2010 at 03:16 PM
He was the Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando and Babe Ruth of our industry. A giant.
Posted by: Joe | May 10, 2010 at 04:00 PM
man. to be honest i didnt know FRAZETTA before today. but I do understand what do you mean talking about him like that. really inspiring the way you write.
cheers mate.
Posted by: Beto González | May 10, 2010 at 07:04 PM
I'm crushed. I'm an art student who lives in PA and a few years ago I found out he lived not far away so my wife and I hopped in the car and made a pilgrimage to see his gallery on his estate. It was magical. I had the honor to chat with Ellie, his wife who was running the gallery and she charmed me with stories and gave me a tiny glimpse of the man behind the Glamour. I grew up dreaming that one day I might be an illustrator also and now, greatly inspired by that trip, I find myself as an adult, going back to school to pursue my dream that started when I was a young boy staring in wonder at his paintings. Thank you for the courage and inspiration Frank. It changed my life. We'll miss you.
Posted by: Tom Plassa | May 12, 2010 at 07:48 AM
Cheers, Tom.
Great story ;)
Posted by: Timbradstreet | May 12, 2010 at 08:13 PM
Great story Tim. I would have murdered that s.o.b.knocked my Frazetta book into the snow.
I carried those books around with me as a kid as well and I too still have the tattered remains of most sitting in my bookcase alongside the newer Icon editions of Frank's work.
I do think his influence is in visible in your work in as much as you both are masterful at capturing essence.
Frazetta captured that crackle in the air.
You do the same but in a different, I suppose more modern, way.
What I mean to say is the common link between the two of you is you can see the characters in your art breath. You can feel them breath.
And to me that's moving. That's the magic.
Posted by: Esco | May 22, 2010 at 07:32 AM
I almost had that Egyptian Princess tattooed on my arm but the artist didn't like the peice!
I'd still like to get that peice done.
Posted by: Esco | May 22, 2010 at 07:34 AM
Hi...Your article really got me thinking man..... an intelligent piece ,I must say.
Posted by: Retro Jordans | September 10, 2010 at 06:44 PM
I don’t have anything else to include on to your article – you basically spelled everything out. great read.
Posted by: nike sb shoes | October 05, 2010 at 07:58 PM
I just found out yesterday that Frazetta had passed away. He's long been my favourite fantasy artist and this is a real shame. Your blog was written from the heart and had me nodding along in several pieces. I loved the story you told of the convention and the awe he inspired. A great story. Thanks for sharimg. Regards Stephen
Posted by: Stephen Hart | October 29, 2010 at 03:35 AM
R.I.P.... His work will live forever.
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