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International Association of Astronomical Artists News
Noted Space Artist Robert T. McCall Passes at Age 90
An inspiration to many IAAA artists over the years, and indeed for some the person who started them in their art careers by way of example, and also to the many men and women who make the exploration and education of of the realm of space possible every day, has become one with the Cosmos. He was a Fellow of the IAAA and among the six recipients of the IAAA's most prestigious honor first bestowed in 2000, the Lucien Rudaux Memorial Award; named for French astronomer Lucien Rudaux (1874-1947), who wrote and illustrated his own books with paintings that resemble the Apollo photography long before we had any real hope of capability to travel off the planet. Our members have recalled their personal experiences upon learning of Bob's passing:
"In 1979, I was working at Johnson Space Center as a technical illustrator on a Space Shuttle systems manual. Bob was working on the "Opening the Space Frontier-The Next Giant Step" mural outside the Johnson Space Center's main auditorium. At that time, I was just beginning to consider the possibility of becoming a space artist. Every few days I would go over and watch him paint and exchange a few pleasantries. Eventually, I met with Bob in Building 45 to discuss his work and he drew me a pretty elaborate sketch in a space art book featuring his work. His enthusiasm was contagious and after that meeting I decided to focus on a career in space art. Over the years, when I have run into Bob at art shows or conferences, he has always been a perfect gentleman and inquired as to what I was working on and what techniques I employed. He and Louise were very welcoming to an artist that was just beginning to get his "brushes" wet. The field has lost one of its founding fathers. Bob, now you are getting a close-up view of the heavens that your paintings so beautifully opened to the world." - Pat Rawlings FIAAA - Dripping Springs, Texas
"I visited Bob in his studio in Paradise Valley, Arizona while I was working on commissions for NASA Headquarters. I had long since decided that I wanted to be a space artist and a pilgrimage to this nexus was inevitable, if not just a bit scary for someone like myself—comparatively new to the field at the time. Both he and Louise were welcoming and gracious as the large Spanish doors to their courtyard swung open, then showing me all around their home and eventually into Bob's spacious separate studio, where we spent quite an amount of time talking about his career and experiences and my aspirations and accomplishments to-date. I was nervous being there and shouldn't have been I suppose. Always wanted to return one day, as it would then be more relaxing. Never got the opportunity but I was in his 'presence' many times. It is said that if you want to know a writer, read what (s)he writes. The same holds true for an artist. If a picture is worth a thousand words, you get to know an artist even better by viewing what (s)he paints.
While working at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum on a show for the Einstein Planetarium, I would enter the building through the only door open to staff prior to the museum's opening to the public for the day. The door placed you right along the A Cosmic View mural as you entered. The building at those hours possesses a magical quality that the public never gets to experience. Alone with the art and the artifacts in the silence, one can feel the individuals connected with them all around and through you. It is a surreal and somewhat unnerving experience, but one I came to look forward to every day. I thought that perhaps one day I would paint a mural in that building, and that opportunity did present itself, but didn't come to pass... at least not yet. Whether it does or not, I'll always remember Bob and his influence upon me. I hope that I may pay it forward and be the same to another artist." - B.E.Johnson FIAAA - Carmel Valley, California
"A very sad loss. I still have the envelope in which he replied to my letter informing him of his Rudaux Award in 2000. In the corner he has drawn a typical little McCall space scene!" - David A. Hardy FIAAA - Birminham, England
"It is with sadness to hear of Bob's passing. He will be truly missed. Though I'd never met him, I do remember just after "2001: A Space Odessey" came out and the original paintings for the posters were on display at the Smithsonian. I stood, jaw open, in front of the one showing the PanAM Orion leaving the station that came to symbolize that movie, in awe at the amount of detail, color, and finesse he has acheived. From that moment on, it was an inspiration to try and acheive the same in my own work. Had it not been for those two paintings, I may have gone in another direction with my works." - Walt Barrows - Orlando, Florida
"Bob stopped over to SpaceFest in Aug 2007 where Dan, Mikey, Bill, Don Davis, myself and several other IAAAers were working on some pieces at the Artist's table. He was very gracious and commented on several of the art works underway at the table and also hanging. He probably spent several hours there and seemed to just enjoy the chatting and fellowship. He was a great artist - and a great person! He will be missed!" - Frank Hettick - Redmond, Oregon
"When the IAAA had our exhibition at the Air & Space Museum in Washington, Bob was there to greet us, our Cosmic Group associates and his support for our charge. He's always been a fan of our art." - Kara Szathmáry FIAAA - Panama City, Florida
"Bob McCall was one of the first space artists I became aware of, when I was in college and working at Griffith Observatory in the 1970's. His visionary murals, artwork and posters were inspirational to me as a young space artist and helped spur me along to create a large body of space themed work by my senior year at USC. He was one of the pioneers of the genre and will be sorely missed. " - Robin Hart - Grass Valley, California
"With great pleasure I recall how my wife Gayle and I, along with other IAAA members, met the premier Russian space artist, Andrei Sokolov, at function sponsored with wonderful hospitality by Bob and Louise at their lovely house overlooking the Scottsdale area. Picking up on Russian black humor, we tried to convince Andrei (who was in on the joke) that the beautiful home as typical of all starving artists in America. Years later, Andrei hosted me in his own studio and nearby apartment in Moscow. Thanks Louise!" - Dr. William K. Hartmann FIAAA - Tucson, Arizona
"I became aware of Bob McCall's artwork in early 1968, when I saw his "2001: A Space Odyssey" posters reproduced in "Parade" magazine. His incredibly dynamic rendering of the space station knocked my socks off. I spent many hours studying it. Later, of course, I discovered the rest of his huge body of work. Along with Bonestell, Pesek, and Hardy, he became one of my heroes.Our entire membership, in one way or another, has been influenced and impacted by Bob and his work. We all mourn the passing of our colleague, friend and mentor. - B.E.Johnson FIAAA - IAAA Board of Trustees
In 1986, I was approached by a would-be movie producer who had optioned a Ben Bova story. Isaac Asimov had been signed as science advisor and Bob McCall as art director. I was to do promotional art to help sell the project. I was thrilled by the possibility of working with such luminaries, but the script was truly awful and I couldn't imagine the project actually ever selling, so I phoned Bob for his advice. He agreed that it looked like many doomed movie projects he'd seen over the years and advised me to draft a contract with a very explicit delivery and payment schedule so I'd be protected if the whole thing fizzled. We got through the first two stages of deliveries, with me FedEx-ing sketches to Bob for review. His critiques were dead-on and helped make me a better artist. The project eventually petered out but, thanks to Bob's sage counsel, I'd gotten enough money up front to help pay for a European honeymoon.
He was a great artist and a kind man. If the dreams he portrayed are ever realized, it will be at least partly due to his inspiring vision. His legacy will endure." - Don Dixon FIAAA - Long Beach, California
Astronomy Artists Create Artwork at Kitt Peak
Help Observe 50th Anniversary Tucson, Arizona October 2, 2009 In celebration of of the 50th anniversary of our national astronomy observatory, the International Association of Astronomy Artists will be present on the mountain to create artwork at Kitt Peak from October 18 through October 23. The artists welcome interaction with visitors to the observatory. During that week, the professional space artists intend to generate dozens of new works related to astronomy and the observatory. Various media will include acrylic, oils, pastels, watercolor, graphite and lithographic and/or colored pencils. An example of artwork created by one of the artists, a Tucson resident, is Midday on Kitt Peak. It was painted outdoors on site, May 2009, by astronomer William K. Hartmann (Planetary Science Institute, Tucson). Three of the nine IAAA attendees are Arizonan space artists. Tucson resident space artists are Dr. William K Hartmann (astronomer and space artist) and Michelle Rouche (aviation and space artist). John Clark (aviation and space artist) hails from the suburbs of Phoenix. Other attendees come from California, Florida, New Hampshire and Quebec, Canada. These nine represent a small available portion of the 130+ international members of astronomical and space artists of the International Association of Astronomical Artists (IAAA). Kitt Peak served as the birthplace of our national observatories. By the early 1960s, the National Observatory had begun building roads and telescopes on Kitt Peak as well as a headquarters in Tucson. During its first 50 years Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) helped change our understanding of the universe, advanced telescope and instrument operations and design, and trained a large fraction of the astronomy community. KPNO continues to be an active and vital observatory in the U.S. System that began at Kitt Peak with the landmark concept of a national observatory open to all astronomers based on the merit of their scientific proposals. About IAAA Exploring the territory where science and art overlap, a firm foundation of knowledge and research is the basis for each painting. Striving to accurately depict scenes which are at present beyond the range of human eyes, they communicate a binding dream of adventure and exploration. IAAA was incorporated in 1989 as a 501(c)-3 [art] and a 509(a)-2 [educational public benefit] entity. About Kitt Peak and NOAO Featuring the world's largest collection of optical telescopes Kitt Peak National Observatory is located fifty-six miles southwest of Tucson, in the Schuk Toak District on the Tohono O'odham Nation. Kitt Peak National Observatory, part of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), was founded in 1958. The Kitt Peak National Observatory Visitor Center is open to the public daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. The Kitt Peak Visitor Center is a non-profit educational organization. The visitor center uses earned income and donations to support its operation. There is no fee for admission to the visitor center; three daily docent-led tours of the major telescopes are offered for a fee. For more information about this event, media inquiries should be directed to Elizabeth Alvarez at (520) 318-8414. Members of the public should call 520-318-8726 or visit the Kitt Peak Public Programs webpage for information about programs and visiting Kitt Peak: http://www.noao.edu/outreach/kpvc The National Optical Astronomy Observatory and the National Solar Observatory are operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.
The IAAA is now on
http://iaaa.org/facebook
A Public Outreach Forum to meet, greet and interface with our Artists, post articles, images, "write on the wall" and invite others to discuss the genré and craft of Space Art. Membership in the IAAA is not required.
Posted by IAAA Admin - 1/14/2009 at 02:23:59 (EDT)
I've decided to start a new network for like minded folks to get a taste of unfettered space art. In order to present a decent alternative network [to those that are diffusing the definition of Space Art] I could use some help in populating the new site. If enough space artists sign up I will invite all my friends on the other networks to join the new site if they wish. Please keep in mind this will be a social network where amateur and professional alike can discuss space art or art in general. The new social network will always promote the professional organizations and hopefully, through the actions of their members, inspire people to join them. You can find the new site here: http://spaceart1.ning.com/ . Posted by IAAA Admin for John Kaufmann - 1/11/2009 at 18:40:29 (EDT)
International Astronautical Congress IAAA Exhibition
9/29-10/2, 2008 - Scottish Exhibition Centre, Glasgow, Scotland
Four IAAA members from Great Britain travelled to Glasgow, Scotland this Fall to attend the 59th IAC and mount an exhibition of Astromical Art on behalf of the IAAA for all attendees to enjoy during the week. The full story is quite a read, so has been given its own page.
Posted by IAAA Admin
Periodically, we encounter curiosity from an ever increasing public whose awareness of space, and the art created over the years to depict it, subsequently leads to discussion as to what exactly is Space Art. Don Davis, FIAAA and Lucien Rudaux Award recipient has submitted a perspective to Wikipedia which periodically gets altered by unidentified authors. To protect his words from tampering, and to confirm its authenticity, I submit his original version: The Definition of SPACE ART now archived on the IAAA site. Kara Szathmary - July 2007
I wanted to let everyone know about some interesting news. Visitors here may also be familiar with the Solar Voyager website (www.solarvoyager.com), which is an online gallery featuring hundreds of images from various artists. A major expansion has just been completed, representing several months of work. The things you were familiar with are still present and new things have been added. One such new item is a discussion forum. Please take some time to stop by, register a user ID, and get involved. It's an easy and fun way to talk about the industry, current events in space, and most importantly, the artwork. Any suggestions or comments are always welcome! People who love Space and Astronomical artwork should certainly find many items of interest in these pages. I hope to see you there! Dave Jones - Saturday, June 21, 2003 at 09:45:49 (EDT)
Hi Everyone;
Just wanted to say I have a new, in progress website--you can get there by going to www.lwperkins.com . Also, Bethany Lediscke is having her company, Dreamstone, sponsor one of ASFA's Chesley Awards--there's some overlap in our two organizations and she has generously offered to help fund the Best Product Illustration Category. Dreamstone.com.au is a beautiful website and well worth a visit if you haven't seen it yet! For more information on the Chesley Awards, surf over to www.asfa-art.org . The ceremony will be held in Chicago at the Worldcon on Friday, September First at 7:30, in Riverside Hall at the Chicago Hyatt Regency, and is open to all Worldcon members.Featured art includes works by IAAA members Vincent di Fate and Bob Eggleton-- a LOT of Bob Eggleton ! (Pamela Lee was a nominee last year). Ron Miller gave permission for ASFA to "quote Chesley" for the invitation artwork, and we thank him and Fred Durant as well. --Lynn Lynn Perkins
Wenonah, NJ USA - Friday, July 07, 2000 at 09:52:13 (EDT)
At last there is a Don Davis website, where images and writings are presented. The site is in development and steadily growing. In the 'EPHEMERAL' section will be items, some of a timely nature, which will appear and disappear. Items from my space image collection are also shared. The site is at: http://www.donaldedavis.com/ Don Davis
Palm Springs, CA USA - Friday, October 22, 1999 at 06:49:24 (EDT)
IAAA INVADES KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
Arthur Woods
- Saturday, May 29, 1999 at 04:40:06 (EDT)
For those with telescopes Mars is approaching opposition (April 24, 1999) and passes closest to Earth on May 1st, when it will appear 16.2 arcseconds wide! This only happens about every two years!
Chris Vancil Seattle, - Monday, April 05, 1999 at 04:06:37 (EDT)
AMATEUR/PROFESSIONAL MINOR PLANET WORKSHOP
To aid the advancement of the field of minor planet research and the collaberation between amateur and professional, there will be a workshop for the active minor planet researcher. This workshop will be held on April 23rd and 24th, 1999 at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA. A reception will held on the evening of April 22 and a dinner will be held on Friday, April 23rd.
The intent of this meeting is to provide an outlet for discussion and collaboration between the amateur and professional communities. It is hoped that this workshop will strengthen the ties between these related groups and result in better understanding of this field of research.
The first day will be devoted mainly to questions of astrometry, including: the scope of the follow-up problem, follow-up strategies, astrometry techniques, and how best to organize the amateur efforts, plus a review of on-line resources available to amateurs, and how amateurs can obtain grants. The second day will cover questions of photometry and photometric techniques.
You can find out more about the workshop as well as registering for it by visiting it's homepage. SCHEDULED SPEAKERS
Robert Millis, Lowell Observatory
Ted Bowell, Lowell Observatory
Dennis Di Cicco, Sky & Telescope
Paul Comba, Prescott Observatory
John Rogers, Camrillo Observatory
Roy Tucker, Goodricke-Pigott Observatory
Brian Marsden, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Richard Kowalski, Quail Hollow Observatory
Alan Harris, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Arne Henden, US Naval Observatory
Charles Wetterer and Slavko Majcen, US Air Force Academy
Walter Worman, Moorhead State University
Kenneth Zeigler, Destiny School, Globe, AZ
Brian Warner, Palmer Divide Observatory
Lawrence Garrett, A.L.P.O.
Brian Skiff, Lowell Observatory CALL FOR CONTRIBUTED PAPERS
There is a call out for Contributed papers as well as Poster presentations. If you will be attending, please consider contributing to the workshop as well. The request for Contributed papers and Poster presentations can be read at: http://www.bitnik.com/mp/mpw99/contributed.htm REGISTRATION
Registration for the workshop is now being accepted. The fee is $35 (U.S.) and will increase to $45 on March 15th. This fee will cover the reception to be held on Thursday evening, April 22, four coffee breaks during the workshop, a registration kit, and the proceedings of the workshop. The fee does not include two optional buffet style lunches at $10 each, or the optional Friday dinner at $25. Registration fees may be paid in the following manner. Personal and Cashiers Checks should be made payable to "Lowell Observatory" and mailed to: Minor Planet Workshop
Lowell Observatory
1400 W. Mars Hill Rd.
Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards will also be accepted, but a hard copy of the amount, card number and signature *must* be mailed or FAXed to Lowell Observatory. A registration form can be found at the bottom of this announcement as well as at: http://www.bitnik.com/mp/mpw99/Register_form.html
Chris Vancil Seattle, WA USA - Tuesday, February 23, 1999 at 16:47:40 (EST)
Stockholm 21th February 1999
Check out the Sweden Solar System 1998 and 1999 swedish member Bibbi Ahrnstedt, has and is exhibiting some of her space-inspired glassworks in this project Website: http://user.tninet.se/~stb444s The next time you´re in Stockholm picking up that Nobel Prize you could check out the scale of 1:20 million, the SSS is centered at Stockholm´s Globe Arena, an 85-meter-high spherical building that represents the Sun and its corona. From there, the planets are arrayed along a mostly northerly line, with Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars falling within Stockholm city limits, and Pluto lying some 300 kilometers distant. Scaled models of the planets and accompanying exhibits are being installed at each site, says Gosta Gahm, an astronomy professor at Stockholms Observatory who, with plasma physicist Nils Brenning of the Royal Institute of Technology, has led the project. In May 1998, a 62 cm diameter model of Venus was unveiled during the 250th anniversary celebration of Stockholm´s Old Observatory. The remaining planets will be completed over the coming year or so. "At this scale, one gets the direct feeling of how empty and desolate space is, how small and far away the planets are," notes Gahm.
Stockholm, Sweden - Sunday, February 21, 1999 at 13:40:46 (EST)
I have a solo exhibit at the Stanford University Faculty Club from July 27 to September 25, 1998. The hours are Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Twenty-nine mixed media paintings are on display in the foyer, down the stairs, in the main hallway downstairs, and in the medium-sized dining room. Feel free to stop by. The Faculty Club is located off Lagunita Drive on the Stanford campus (that's in California). The telephone number there for further information is (650) 723-4325. Lynette Cook
San Francisco, CA USA - Saturday, August 01, 1998 at 12:22:37 (EDT)
Jelly's Comet
In this painting, a large jellyfish floats over the big dome at Palomar Observatory. What could this fanciful image possibly have to do with science? The title Jelly's Comet relates to the importance that comets have played in the study of the heavens by ground-based telescopes. These distant balls of rock and ice are regular visitors in skies, coming even closer to us through the eyes of a telescope. Observatories also play a role in the discovery of comets, such as Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, which was found through the 0.4-meter Schmidt telescope on Palomar Mountain. The great observatories of the world have been instrumental in furthering our understanding of a myriad of cosmic wonders, such as stars, galaxies, and nebulae. Peering deeply into the blackness of space toward tiny points of light, several planets have been discovered outside our own solar system, many of them orbiting sun-like stars. Do any of these planets or others as yet undiscovered have life? We don't know. But if they do, it is possible that life forms called "floaters" may exist on some of them. Similar in appearance and structure to the jellyfish, they ride on currents of air rather than currents of water. It is unlikely that ground-based telescopes will ever be able to resolve distant life forms as they are too far away and too small. However, if such floaters are ever found, someday in the future, it will have been the decades of astronomical discoveries and advances made at the large observatories that paved the way for these life forms to be found. It is the legacy of Palomar—and other similar research facilities—that makes future knowledge and understanding about the universe possible. Lynette Cook- Saturday, August 01, 1998 at 10:54:24 (EDT)
I have two gallery shows this weekend if you are in the San Francisco Bay area please come and take a look. Thursday June 18, 6-8 pm Gallery Piazza Contemporary Fine Art, Sausalito Piazza Building, 819 Bridgeway,Sausalito,Ca. The second show is, Saturday, June 20,4-8pm, Galleria Luna,300 Main Street Half Moon Bay, Ca. I have only a small presence in Piazza, only a couple of paintings. The show at Galleria Luna features most of my work including a 7' tall painting of the Earth. If you need more information call 707-984-7003, Red Wolf
Red Wolf Laytonville, CA USA - Monday, June 15, 1998 at 16:16:39 (EDT)
2nd May to 13th June 1998 - Astronomical Art UK members Jackie Burns, Mark Garlick, Richard Murrin and Tony Wilmot are exhibiting 20 pieces of 2D art and 13 pieces of glassware at the Moot Hall, Daventry Museum, Market Square, Daventry, Northants(tel: 01327 300277)
Public reaction has been very good so far. Jackie, the organiser of the exhibition, even received enthusiastic email about the exhibition as a result. On Wednesday, 27th May, Jackie ran a one-day astronomical art workshop at the museum for 18 children from the ages of 6 to 12. The day was made of three sections: a short talk and show session to give the children some ideas on what they could create, using a variety of lavishly illustrated books from Jackies' private collection and the artshow itself from the UK members; then a hugely messy and highly enjoyable session of cutting, painting, sticking, spreading, shaking, tearing, shredding and drawing - the end result was three large friezes (1 of deep space and 2 of alien landscapes); finally the third session was a written component of poetry, fiction and explanation of the work that they had created. The results of the workshop are now exhibited alongside the UK members work and has now received extra local publicity as a result. Jackie Burns
Stanford-le-Hope, Essex UK - Wednesday, June 03, 1998 at 04:59:46 (EDT)
The Hub Gallery, 130 North Central, Phoenix, Arizona, will be presenting STARRY-EYED, an exhibit of the works of C.F. Yankovich. The works shown explore the mysteries and wonder of the night skies.
The exhibit will run from May 1 thru May 8, 1998, with an artist's reception on May 1, from 7 pm to 10 pm. For additional information, contact C.A. Hammons at 602-716-0469. C.F. Yankovich
Phoenix, AZ USA - Thursday, April 30, 1998 at 10:17:25 (EDT)
For those of you who want to see some of my UFO art, it will be on exhibition at the International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell, NM. Dale Darby
Albuquerque, NM USA - Thursday, April 30, 1998 at 01:04:13 (EDT)
Hello All,
I am in the process of organizing a space art event like none ever seen. The exhibition will be in the spring/summer of 1998 (May through June or July) at the University of Florida's Museum of Natural History. Right now I am asking people who are possibly, maybe, interested in participating to let me know. I am not asking for firm commitments at this point. The exhibition will involve more than displaying the art. I am looking to illustrate the science-art connection by having both scientists and artists participate. I would love to have artists make presentations about their work, and I am open to all ideas.I alo want to have a tie-in with the 30th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing. If you are interested, let me know Dirk Terrell
4302 NW 25th Ter.
Gainesville, FL 32605 Looking forward to hearing from every one of you! Thanks Dirk Terrell
Gainesville, FL USA - Saturday, April 11, 1998 at 14:06:07 (EDT)
The IAAA World Tour exhibition at the California Academy of Sciences will be on exhibit from July 15, 1998 - March 21, 1999. Twenty-eight pieces were chosen from a total of eighty-three entries and include a wide range of subject matter and styles. The art work will be displayed in a gallery space adjacent to Earth & Space Hall.
The museum is located in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park and features natural history exhibits, the Steinhart Aquarium, and the Morrison Planetarium (northern California's largest indoor universe). Lynette Cook
- Monday, April 06, 1998 at 17:31:47 (EDT)
I recently added a new animated GIF to my index page; also some new members' links.
I'd be interested to know what you think of it! (and members -- please check that your link is correct). Thanks, David A Hardy
Birmingham, WM England - Monday, April 06, 1998 at 03:56:43 (EDT)
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