Saturday, December 13, 2014

Sword of Amber


In the 1970s and early 80s, Roger Zelazny's "Amber" series was very popular. Zelazny's writing was filled with swashbuckling action, hard-boiled macho fantasy, and illustrator-friendly big set pieces. The hero of the series was Corwin, a combination of fantasy messiah, "noir" rebel, and cowboy. He wore black and silver, had a red horse, and was an expert with a sword. His personal symbol was a silver rose. In this early picture done at the height of Zelazny's popularity, I depict Corwin riding away from the City of Amber, seen in the distance. The sunlight fades and roiling storm clouds and creepy chaotic invasions await him on his journey. To my knowledge no one has done a graphic novel adaptation of the "Chronicles of Amber" and I think it would be a great subject for a project, but not by me.

"A Farewell to Amber" (title of the painting) is acrylic on Masonite, 22" x 15", August 1980.

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