We continue our coverage of Science Fiction and Fantasy art with an interview with artist Brian Dow an artist who has recently come to my attention via Pyr’s editor Lou Anders blog Bowing to the Future. I’ve got a soft spot for artists myself. I used to be a roleplaying game and collectible card game publisher, the head of the ill fated Daedalus, and I worked with a few dozens artists back in the mid 90s. I did a little bit of art direction including a scary stint where the first cover I commissioned went to an artist who spent his advance on LSD and became convinced that the roleplaying game I published was “real” and left long rambling messages on my machine about his experiences in my game world in lieu of hitting his deadlines. Eventually I hired an art director to handle that aspect of publishing for me and things went much smoother although I always enjoyed keeping touch with the artists who contributed to our games.

Anyways enough about me, here’s my exchange with Brian Dow who was kind enough to give me permission to display some righteous artwork including one yet to be published piece, enjoy.

MT: When you’re given art direction from a publisher what kinds of source material, instructions and descriptions do you find most productive to work with? Are there good and bad kinds of art instruction as far as you’re concerned?

BD: You know, I never really understood initially why publishers often keep the writer and artist apart. I’ve since leaned why, on occasion, it might be a good idea, but for the most part it’s like going to the best authority for the text. I’d say that more often than not, the writer can really clarify the subtext that might not necessarily be there in the written work. So I do enjoy that interaction. Most times though it is filtered through the art director.

What I really value is working WITH the art director and having an in-depth conversation about the story and what each of us has for ideas regarding the project. Very often there arises what I call a ‘happy accident’. It might just be a stray thought or an offhand suggestion. Something neither of us intended to happen, but when it comes out, it leads to a really powerful piece. Collaboration can be an incredible thing. I’ve been really very fortunate in that the art directors I’ve worked with, by and large, have been so talented and creative.

A sneak preview of the cover of Hurricane Moon coming out in 2007

MT: What is it about the genres of Science Fiction and Fantasy that attracts you as an artist?

BD: I’ve always dreamed of what it would be like to go to another planet and meet the beings who lived there. Of course, that belief could have originated from my mother telling me she was going to send me to the moon. And being the naive young lad that I was, I took it as a positive thing. Seriously though, other perspectives, beliefs, technology and customs just fascinate me. But what attracts me as an artist isn’t necessarily relegated to Science Fiction and Fantasy alone. For me it was always about the characters, setting, chiaroscuro, that really was ‘IT’ for me when creating a piece. I saw a Rembrandt exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston many years ago. What I learned about art from that one exhibit, and what was possible to do with an artistic medium…well, it forever changed my view of what I could aspire to. I suppose ultimately with science fiction and fantasy, it was the fact that these unbelievable, fantastic environments, people and creatures were depicted so artistically and realistically that it simply drew me right into their world.

above right Prodigal Troll, below left Tides

MT: Lastly if we could transport you back in time and give you the job of illustrating the cover of the first printing to a classic of yesteryear which one(s) would you like to take a crack at?

BD: About 15 years ago my cousin lent me his set of John Carter of Mars books from the early 1970’s. I ate them up! To create art for that series…that would be cool. Of course I’ve seen and loved Whelan’s cover art for the series, but I’d still love to take a crack at some cover and interior pieces. Then there is a short story called ‘The Roads Must Roll’ by Heinlein. He describes these motorized unicycles. Think Japanese anime. They were really fast! I thought those were the coolest things in the world and I wanted one for myself. In fact, I might just build a scratch built one and then create an illustration from that. That would be fun.

You can check out more of Brian’s lovely artwork on his website

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