2/27/2010 – 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. 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
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. The IAAA Membership has contributed a $500 donation to the Challenger Space Center Arizona Robert McCall Memorial Fund. IAAA President Dirk Terrell received a gracious letter of appreciation from the Executive Director, Kari Sliva, that sums up all of our feelings.
– B.E.Johnson FIAAA – IAAA Board of Trustees
