RSS Parrot

https://bsky.app/profile/michaelwhelan.bsky.social/post/3mvzugxm7sk2z

Published: September 21, 2026 13:55

DRAGONFLIGHT (1978)
 Acrylic on Masonite - 20" X 30" 

For the 1st book in Anne McCaffrey's legendary Dragonriders of Pern series, I wanted to create a literal visualization of the title. I selected an aerial POV and tilted the horizon to simulate the…

https://bsky.app/profile/michaelwhelan.bsky.social/post/3mvxke5h7hs2z

Published: September 20, 2026 15:49

In this week’s newsletter, Michael talks about early influences and his approach to illustration in the conclusion of this 3-part interview from 1982. https://theartofmichaelwhelan.substack.com/p/shayol-fantasy-and-science-fiction-ae1

https://bsky.app/profile/michaelwhelan.bsky.social/post/3mvw4tdybdk27

Published: September 20, 2026 02:14

I’m pretty sure I had 12 pieces. A graphic arts teacher at Art Center told me that no art director wants to go through more than 12 images, so I took his advice to heart. [contains quote post or other embedded content]

https://bsky.app/profile/michaelwhelan.bsky.social/post/3mvuq3hzesk2a

Published: September 19, 2026 12:54

THE UNINVITED (1974) Oil on Illustration Board - 10” x 15” When I first moved to the East Coast in search of illustration jobs, I had to prepare a portfolio with a selection of the variety of work I was able to do. This was the “horror” piece that I took…

https://bsky.app/profile/michaelwhelan.bsky.social/post/3mvsalngfwc2p

Published: September 18, 2026 13:11

THE GAMEPLAYERS OF ZAN (1976) Acrylic - 28” x 22” An unusual aspect of this assignment was the author told Donald Wollheim what scene should appear on the cover. #art #booksky 🪐📚

https://bsky.app/profile/michaelwhelan.bsky.social/post/3mvr7lvl7ss2z

Published: September 18, 2026 03:21

re: the barrier to fine art for illustrators Certainly. My own success has shown that…but then again, I keep a discernible separation between my gallery work and my illustration. I’d avoid having a show mixing the two in a gallery, though I’ve had no…

https://bsky.app/profile/michaelwhelan.bsky.social/post/3mvr6oza6jc2z

Published: September 18, 2026 03:04

That “fish shaped building” just popped into my head when I was creating the painting. I have no idea where it came from or why it looks like that. I like your reading of it though! Maybe I painted it after watching Finding Nemo with the kids? [contains…

https://bsky.app/profile/michaelwhelan.bsky.social/post/3mvpofn3lfk2p

Published: September 17, 2026 12:40

WINGING IT (2008)
 Acrylic - 36" x 24" 

American history is full of examples of artists who were illustrators and became recognized fine artists—Edward Hopper and Winslow Homer come to mind—but I didn’t know whether I’d be able to pull off that…

https://bsky.app/profile/michaelwhelan.bsky.social/post/3mvnapx4fxc2e

Published: September 16, 2026 13:30

The argument against AI should always start with the THEFT of creative labor the technology was built on. The intent was CRIMINAL. CEOs should be facing charges, not class action lawsuits. The devastation these companies continue to inflict on creative…

https://bsky.app/profile/michaelwhelan.bsky.social/post/3mvn6atahbs2c

Published: September 16, 2026 12:46

THE MASTER MIND OF MARS (1978)
 Acrylic - 21" x 27" 

The only John Carter cover in which I intentionally deviated from the story. The Master Mind does not appear in the actual scene, but Lester del Rey thought the cover should go along with the title... …

https://bsky.app/profile/michaelwhelan.bsky.social/post/3mvkmkxlbvs2k

Published: September 15, 2026 12:24

SANCTUARY (2019) 
Oil - 24” x 18” This rose from my desire to revisit thematic ground that inspired my first gallery show at Tree’s Place back in 1997. #art