Spectrum 7: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art

I had never even heard of Robert McGinnis until I was linked to this page by the editors' names (the Fenners) who I know from their affiliation with science fiction art. The reviews were so favorable that I decided to gamble on this book without any other familiarity with McGinnis. I usually lose on these impulsive gambles. Not this time. Suffice it to say this book is a total prize, it's just filled cover to cover with extreme beauty.I am particularly impressed with this man's diversity of talent...he does great "pin up" type art of beautiful women, and then he does these embracing outdoor scenes which are almost within the genre of "Marlboro" commercials and then there are other pieces which are evocative of Norman Rockwell and Maxfield Parrish. Each painting is fantastic and to me represents a dinstinct aspect of the best phenomena in Earthly life. However, there is even a little sci-fi art in here, so not all his fantastic visions are necessarily Earth-bound!I love unexpected treasure!

I have a wide collection of fantasy-art books and the spectrum collection is simply among the best books you can buy. they are basically a collection of works from many painters,illustrators,sculptors and artists from the fantasy realm worldwide,the best pieces published get awarded and you can find from very famous book cover painters to comic illustrators to sculptors of popular figures inside these pages. I think any of the spectrum books are worth every penny.

Perhaps the nicest thing about the Spectrum series is that each installment seems to be better than the last. #7 is no exception. Featuring a wonderful array of art that engages and challenges the imagination, this is the one place that I'm sure to find selections by old favorites and meet exciting new talent. This year I was blown away by the art of Michael Whelan, Donato Giancola, Phil Hale, Kent Williams, Brom, and Kinuko Craft. And that's just for starters! Peter Max and "Bladerunner" artist Syd Mead are even featured in Spectrum's nearly 200 color pages (not the 144 in the listing). Rounding out the book is the "Year In Review" column which annually sets me hunting for interesting art items I've missed. Really a tip-top book, from beginning to end.

This is the book I've been waiting years for. For decades Robert McGinnis' wonderful paintings have lured me to pick up a book or plunk down the admission price to a movie. "Tapestry" includes a great selection of art, beautifully designed and printed, which illustrates McGinnis' career. Personal favorites include the knockout cover painting of John Wayne from "The Searchers", his posters for the James Bond films, "Thunderball" and "You Only Live Twice", any of the mystery covers featuring his stunning femme fatales, and of course, the gallery nudes are all amazing and memorable. And I can't forget his landscapes and Western Art, either--the man can do and has done it all. I came away from "Tapestry" satisfied and wanting more. Hopefully a sequel is in the works.

For anyone who enjoys art of the fantastic or sci-fi, the Spectrum series has become the definitive source for the years best in these fields.And Spectrum 7 is no disappointment. In fact, from my own perspective, this years Spectrum is superior to the last three years' editions. It provides some of the most imaginative and perfectly executed works of wonder I have had the pleasure of viewing in a VERY long time. Well, since last years Spectrum. Works by Palencar, Hale, Jusko, Brom and many, many other "new" artists are absolutely beautiful.I just want to thank Arnie and Kathy Fenner for bringing these books to the fantasy & and sci-fi loving public. Please keep them coming!And with a little luck, some of my work will be shown in next years annual. We'll see...