Wednesday, April 1, 2015

The Vision of Aldamir


The name "Aldamir" shows up in the work of more than one 20th century fantasy author. Samuel R. Delany uses the name, and so did Marion Zimmer Bradley in her "Darkover" world. This Aldamir story, though, is by Marion's brother Paul Edwin Zimmer. Paul Edwin was quite the character. He never worked (except on his writing), always wore a kilt though he was not Scottish, and chain-smoked. He didn't wash too often, either. Paul Edwin did have some accomplishments, though, besides the writing, which was published but not a big success. He knew all about swords and medieval and Renaissance combat and martial arts. He was one of the founding members of the "Society for Creative Anachronism," a medievaloid fantasy role-playing group which has eaten the brains and lives of many of my friends over the years.

This illustration, along with another one that is even worse, was published along with Paul Edwin Zimmer's title story in "Marion Zimmer Bradley's Fantasy Magazine." It was basically a Tolkien pastiche, adapted to Marion's Darkover mythology. Yes, it's in the same pile as all my other published fan art. I have no idea what is going on in the picture, but I guess, uh, it involves a wizard and a serpentine dragon. 

Black ink on illustration board, 8" x 10", summer 1988.

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