W. Steve Wilson

Science Fiction Art – Transporting Us to Adventures of the Imagination

CE 2021

As I was thinking about what to write this week, I found myself sitting in my office—staring at blank walls.

Sure I have the bookcases, but nothing is hanging on the walls art-wise. I’ve been reluctant to commit to anything, considering I’m not sure what’s the right direction for a budding science fiction writer.

A few years ago, I attended Worldcon 76, the science fiction conference held that year, 2018, in San Jose. One of the presentations was on the art of Chesley Bonestell.

[Image Credit: https://www.bonestell.org/getattachment/509c3ea4-3770-4a5e-b85d-417606bc7f2f/Saturn-as-seen-from-Titan-(1).aspx]

Bonestell’s works were visionary and remarkable, considering many of his works, such as the one to the right, were produced before we’d sent any interplanetary probes or visited the Moon.

That would be a great way to set the tone for my office. Unfortunately, Bonestell’s works are not available for home exhibition. I had to move on.

Then there are the many pictures of rockets, shuttles, and satellites that I’d snapped at various museums when I was on vacation. But to be honest, I’m a lousy photographer. So could I find pictures of satellites that NASA shares, such as this image of Mariner 2?

[Image Credit: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSp8ZibPKxBjik2NicSc7Szo6D3zqDkYAvmkQ&usqp=CAU ]

But then—these are science fact rather than science fiction. Don’t get me wrong, they would inspire, but is there something else out there?

As we’ve found before, the Internet being what it is, there are lists of the best in Science Fiction art. One list is Greatest Sci-Fi Artists of All Time. The art on this site is beautiful, compelling, and tells a story when you let your imagination run wild a bit.

And—Science Fiction art has been around for a while. One collector has assembled cover art going back as early as 1908. Check it out at Classics of Science Fiction Art.

Finally, the site: Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror Art. brings together the work of many artists, and their work is fantastic.

[Image Credit: https://www.scififantasyhorror.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/mohamed-reda-sci-fi-workshop-feature.jpeg]

The final possible source of décor might be photographs and images of actual natural phenomena—planets, moons, galaxies, and nebulae. I’ve considered the famous picture of the Earth “rising” over the Moon by Apollo 8. Pair that with a photograph of Moon-rise from the International Space Station, and I might have what I need.

[Image Credit – Earthrise: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcSFOOqWlaDvmOkj7aCUbod1CPdR-5x0i7FYHYWjNvuNH-1VC5CC2UZGW7ha2orqm75ElKj7ZjEAUUA&usqp=CAc]

[Image Credit – Moonrise: https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CJ3kX6suXyQ/V-4gpS47TGI/AAAAAAAA7i8/GLv0YJSYgrI8X-Bgcu4OAo4qvsTykJUlACPcB/s1600/moonrise-iss-09.JPG ]

Where did I end up? With blank walls and too many ideas. At least I’ve done some investigation and have some thoughts on what’s next—another task for the winter months ahead—a Science Fiction Rock Playlist and artwork for the walls.

What do you think? Do you have some favorites? Should I go with all Science Fiction art? Maybe a few planet and nebula pictures? How would all rocket ships or all aliens look?

[Image Credit: https://cdn.hswstatic.com/gif/Hubble-20201.jpg]

Leave a comment and let me know what you think. I’ll share the results in a future post.

Thanks for stopping by.

6 comments

  1. I tend to like the photos of real phenomena but an occasional sci if works wells too. Looking forward to your choice.

    1. Thanks, Georgi. That wall has been blank for years. Time to get it done. And there are some amazing photographs that NASA and some amateurs put out. Should be fun. Thanks.

  2. Hi Steve,
    I’m sure you’ll get Bowie and Rocket Man suggestions. Mine is composer Arthur Russell’s This Is How We Walk On the Moon: https://youtu.be/eq5gjfN5lns Listen to the whole piece.
    You also might want to take a look at images/drawings by architect Lebbeus Woods. One of his https://lebbeuswoods.wordpress.com/2009/01/20/re-the-system/
    drawings was used for a stage set in 12 Monkeys.
    Thanks for the interesting post. You can always stop at a garage sale, buy something already framed, paint it black and then sprinkle it with white paint before hanging it in your office!—Michael

    1. Michael – Thanks for the links. I’ll check them out. It’s going to be a tough choice. I’m thinking of maybe a “first of” theme. But then that would exclude a lot of art. I appreciate the comment. I’m pretty sure I’d totally screw up the DIY/garage sale option. I am seriously creatively impaired when it comes to the visual arts.

      Thanks for stopping by and for the comment.

    1. Thanks for stopping by. We can only hope it turns out well.

      Current thinking is some of everything. It’s a big wall!

      Thanks.

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