9/24/2012 – It’s my sad duty to inform everyone that Paul Hoffman, Fellow, Board member, contributor to our book The Beauty of Space, and CFO for our organization passed away this morning. Paul was an avid space artist and long-time volunteer member and his wit and humor was always a highlight at the many workshops he attended. With the family’s permission, we will be sending a flower arrangement to his services when they occur. Sleep well friend, the cosmos is your canvas now…..
– Jon Ramer, IAAA President
I am very sorry to hear about the passing of Paul Hoffman – this has been a disasterous year for our family in terms of deaths. I was priveledged to meet Paul (and our own Mikey) ay a Mars Society Conference and talk to him personally about space art. He and Mike are two of three IAAA artists I have physically met. My condolences to his family.
– Steven Hobbs – Queanbeyan, Australia
Very sad news. I met Paul on a number of occasions at workshops, where he was always a great asset and a friendly and helpful participant. His art is top class, whether digital or hand-drawn, and at least this will live on long after his death. Goodbye Paul, it was good to know you.
– David A. Hardy FIAAA – Birmingham, England
I’m glad I got to meet Paul and spend some time with him during our Death Valley and Utah workshops. I well remember his sense of humor, as well as the marvelous western hats he wore out in the desert. You will be missed, my friend. Fly high!
– Aldo Spadoni FIAAA – Los Angeles, California
Joy and I learned of his passing this morning. He will be missed. We worked with him for many years on IAAA business matters. I met him in person years ago during a visit to the D.C. area; where a bunch of us early IAAAers had gathered for an exhibition. One evening, after the day’s functions were over, we talked at length over a couple of beers. A good time with a good person is always to be revered. God speed, Paul. New Zealand is but one stop on your journey.
– B.E.Johnson FIAAA – Carmel Valley, California
I only knew Paul through this listserve and the odd personal communication, but his kindness and humour shone through in all his writing. I often wished I had a chance to meet him at one or other workshop, but it wasn’t to be. He’ll be sorely missed.
– Garry L. Harwood FIAAA – Cornwall, England
This came as a shock to me. I never even knew Paul was ill. I met him once at the Stonehenge UK workshop. My heart goes out to his family and close friends.
– Mark Garlick FIAAA – Hove, England
Very sad news. Paul visited Colorado every year and I remember the last time I saw him last year on a fun trip with Mikey to meet up in Pueblo at the Air Museum there. I like Paul’s digital technique and watched him work at the Death Valley workshop in 2005, turning the day’s digital image of the Devil’s Golf Course into a very nice new piece of art that evening…
– Dan Durda FIAAA – Boulder, Colorado
I, like everyone else who knew Paul, was very saddened to hear this. I worked with him over the last few years when I was on the Board. I met Paul at the Death Valley workshop in 2005. He met up with Dan and me at the Las Vegas airport and we drove to the workshop together. Paul was a very talented man, and I very much enjoyed learning from him. The IAAA and space art in general will miss his contributions. Godspeed, my friend.
– Dirk Terrell FIAAA – Boulder, Colorado
I am so sorry to hear this, and wish his family well in this sad time. He was a dedicated IAAA member and someone we will miss greatly. He’ll now take up his paintbrush in the great beyond. . .
– Lynette R. Cook FIAAA – Daly City, California
Very sad indeed. It is always a shock when you hear news of this nature. His art will continue to sing for years to come.
– Richard Bizley FIAAA – Lyme Regis, England
My condolences to Paul’s family. I didn’t know Paul personally and, from comments by other members, I am sure I would have been most fortunate to have known him better. I realize that all IAAA members have various beliefs regarding death although I personally know that death is not the end but actually the beginning of an existence that diminishes this reality in comparison. I feel that Paul is now truly a painter of the Cosmos . . .
– Michael C. Turner – Murrayville, Georgia
The news came in as I was just to leave last night, and it left me lost for words. It was a bolt from the blue. It was not long ago that Paul posted to this listserve. I was fortunate to enjoy Paul’s company, wit, and distinctive and poignant art at two workshops. Paul was multi-talented, a frequent contributor to this list offering many tips and insightful technical advice both analogue and digital, but sprinkled with witty responses too. He was a proponent of 3D modelling and animation, especially depicting spacecraft, yet his traditional pieces had a gentle touch to them. Paul also constructed novel panoramas too. Paul was one of the ‘doers’ in the IAAA. We’ll miss him. We do at least still have his artistic legacy to inspire.
– Malcolm Currie – Grove, England
I am deeply saddened at the sudden passing of Paul. He was an accomplished digital and fine artist, and there will be an empty place in this organization in his absence. I had the pleasure of attending several workshops with Paul and have served briefly with him on this new board term. I will always remember him and the beautiful tribute to the Apollo 1 astronauts he digitally painted on our Kennedy Space Center workshop in 1998. It was an inspiration for me to take up digital painting. Now he has gone to starlight.
– Robin Hart – Grass Valley, California
I’m sad to hear about Paul but I’m glad I got to meet him at the Utah workshop. He showed me his awesome painting kit and we sat for a while painting near each other in Bryce Canyon. When we were done he had produced a great landscape rendering, then he painted the sky black and turned it into space art. Fantastic. That was a good day. Rest in peace my friend.
– John Kaufmann FIAAA – St. Charles, Missouri
Paint For Paul Day. As we all know, Paul Hoffman passed away this week, thank you for your comments. The family has asked that we make a donation in Paul’s name to a charity of our choice and I have suggested we donate to The Planetary Society. It’s something that I think Paul would have liked to do. Also, I’d like to invite every member to make a special point of painting some space art this Sunday at 2:00 pm Eastern time, which is when Paul’s services will be. I think this would be a fitting send off for one of our own. If you can paint that day, please pop a note to the listserver so we can include our final sentiments in a package for Paul’s family.
– Jon Ramer, IAAA President
