Space Art by Christopher Doll

Tag: pivot art and culture

  • Imagined Futures at Pivot Art + Culture

    Imagined Futures at Pivot Art + Culture

    Last week I dropped by the new Space Art exhibit, Imagined futures hosted by Pivot Art + Culture, part of the Paul Allen Institute in downtown Seattle. Located near the shores of Lake Union, this new gallery is well worth the visit. I am thrilled that such an exhibit opened up in my area and it does not disappoint. It was a sunny day in Seattle, and there was enough daylight to make it somewhat difficult to get good straight-on photos of the pieces on display due to glare, but in person they are spectacular.

    Space and Science Fiction Art

    This amazing display features examples of space and science fiction art, classic and contemporary. As a professional space and science fiction artist myself, I was humbled to be in the presence of these original pieces. Many of them were inspirations to me from as far back as I can remember. My thanks to Pivot Art + Culture for hosting them.

    Let’s take a look at the gallery

    Imagined Futures Gallery Looking Left
    Imagined Futures at Pivot Art + Culture
    Artist Robert Longo’s brilliant Saturn in Charcoal
    Imagined Futures at Pivot Art + Culture

    Legendary Space Art

    Chesley Bonnestell
    Chesley Bonnestell – Detail
    Chesley Bonnestell – Destination Moon
    Concept Art from Forbidden Planet – Mentor Huebner
    Fred Gambino
    Ron Miller reproduction of a Chesley Bonnestell Moon Rocket
    Matte Painting of Earth used in Destination Moon – Chesley Bonnestell
    Chesley Bonnestell
    Jim Burns – The Neutronium Alchemist

    Close Up Shots

    I loved being able to get right up close to these original pieces and see the paint and material in detail. Again, I had difficulty with daylight glare in the photos. In person it’s very easy to see the art.

    Up close with Bob Eggleton’s Anvil of Stars
    Bob Eggleton’s Anvil of Stars
    2010: Odyssey Two Cover Art – Michael Whelan
    2010: Odyssey Two Cover Art (detail) – Michael Whelan
    Don Dixon – The Clouds of Saturn
    Don Dixon – The Clouds of Saturn (Detail)
    Don Dixon – The Clouds of Saturn (Detail)
    Descending Toward the Moon – Chesley Bonnestell
    Descending Toward the Moon (Detail) – Chesley Bonnestell
    Chesley Bonnestell
    Chesley Bonnestell
    Chesley Bonnestell
    Chesley Bonnestell
    Chris Foss – Asteroid Collision
    Chris Foss – Asteroid Collision (Detail)

    John Berkey Space Settlement

    John Berkey is one of my all time favorite artists, and here I was able to see his Space Settlement up close.

    Space Settlement – John Berkey
    Space Settlement – John Berkey
    Space Settlement (detail) – John Berkey
    Space Settlement (detail) – John Berkey
    Space Settlement (detail) – John Berkey
    Space Settlement (detail) – John Berkey

    Robert T. McCall – A Settlement on Mars

    Another classic, Robert T. McCall’s Settlement on Mars. This is a� much larger painting than what I’d imagined and it’s quite impressive in person.

    A Settlement on Mars – Robert T. McCall
    A Settlement on Mars – Robert T. McCall
    A Settlement on Mars (Detail) – Robert T. McCall
    A Settlement on Mars (Detail) – Robert T. McCall
    A Settlement on Mars (Detail) – Robert T. McCall
    A Settlement on Mars (Detail) – Robert T. McCall
    A Settlement on Mars (Detail) – Robert T. McCall
    A Settlement on Mars (Detail) – Robert T. McCall

    Models

    A number of fine scale models were on display as well.

    Models on display
    The Angriest Rocket Model Ever Made (constructed by David Merriman)
    Moon Ferry – David Merriman
    Spaceship Luna Miniature from Destination Moon
    Forest Dome – Silent Running
    Forest Dome – Silent Running
    Forest Dome – Silent Running
    Voyager Concept Model – Chesley Bonnestell
    Lunar Lander (Wernher von Braun concept) by Steven Gallacci

    I’m giving David Merriman a tough time for calling his Moon Ship “The Angriest Model Ever Made”. David Merriman is a master model builder who doesn’t suffer fools lightly. It was great to see his work in this show.

    Want to see more?

    If you’re interested in seeing these wonderful paintings and displays in person, Imagined Futures runs until July 10, 2016 at Pivot Art + Culture.

    Imagined Futures Poster
    Imagined Futures Poster

    And if you can’t make the trip to Seattle yourself, I’d highly recommend Ron Miller’s book The Art of Space – available now. It features many of the paintings in Imagined Futures, plus many more (including one of my own, see page 116).

    ArtOfSpaceBook

    Visit the Space Art By Christopher Doll Store

    Thank you for dropping by, and if you like space art like this please drop by my space art store. I’m offering original artwork and a number of smaller gifts, including my adult coloring book, Coloring Space 1.

    Space Art By Christopher Doll Store
    Space Art By Christopher Doll Store
  • Imagined Futures Now Showing in Seattle

    Imagined Futures Now Showing in Seattle

    To my great surprise and delight, Pivot Art + Culture in Seattle is exhibiting Imagined Futures – a collection of original, classic Space Art through July.

    Imagined Futures Poster
    Imagined Futures Poster

    Many of the pieces are reportedly from the Paul Allen Collection, some of which were previously shown in the early days of the Science Fiction Museum, also in Seattle. From the site, the exhibit is to feature:

    Imagined Futures features works by including Chesley Bonestell, Fred Freeman, John Berkey, Jim Burns, Don Dixon, Bob Eggleton, Chris Foss, Fred Gambino, Ron Miller, Ludek Pesek, Richard Powers, Alex Schomburg, and Tim White, alongside, for the first time works from other artists inspired by the visualization of the unknown; Ansel Adams, Max Ernst, Robert Longo, Rene Magritte, Simon Norfolk, Thomas Ruff, and Thomas Struth. In partnership with the Flying Heritage Collection and Living Computer Museum, Imagined Futures will also include artifacts from the history of rocketry and computing.

    During one of those early visits to the EMP, I almost walked right into one of Chesley Bonnestell’s original paintings. At first I thought to myself “that’s a wonderful print, so nice to see one so large”. Then I noticed something on the surface of the painting. Paint strokes. I wasn’t looking at a print, this was an ORIGINAL.

    Shocked, I turned to a painting behind me in the exhibition hall, and it was this John Berkey painting, Alien Arrival:

    Alien Arrival - John Berkey
    Alien Arrival – John Berkey

    Even back then John Berkey was one of my favorite science fiction artists, and Alien Arrival one of my favorite of his paintings. And here I was looking right at the original. At the time they didn’t allow photography inside the exhibit so I have only my memories of the visit.

    I’m looking forward to seeing this exhibition, and judging by the description it’s going to be impressive. So if you’re in the Seattle area this Spring, and would like to see fantastic original space and science fiction art, check out Imagined Futures at Pivot Art + Culture.

    CBonnestall_ImaginedFutures

    Full Disclosure, I am not affiliated with Pivot Art + Culture in any way other than my enthusiasm for this exhibit.

    About Christopher DolL

    CDoll_Sept2014Christopher Doll is an artist and designer from the greater Seattle area.� He specializes in astronomy, space travel, and science fiction themes. His work has been featured in a number of books, articles, and on the cover of several novels.

    Recently Christopher Doll published Coloring Space 1, the first in a new line of adult coloring books featuring spaceships. Check out the Space Art By Christopher Doll Store for this and other space-related artwork and gifts.

    Space Art By Christopher Doll Store
    Space Art By Christopher Doll Store