George Barr (artist)

Career

Barr's work shows influences from Arthur Rackham, Hannes Bok and Virgil Finlay. The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction describes him as one of the least appreciated SF/fantasy artists. His work is often romantic and whimsical. His technique involves overlaying pen and ink line work with pastel watercolors.

Barr began his art career in 1960 by contributing artwork to various high-profile science fiction fanzines in fandom and for many years displaying and selling his artwork in the art shows of both regional science fiction conventions and at the annual World Science Fiction Convention.

A collection of his professional fantasy and science fiction paintings, Upon the Winds of Yesterday and Other Explorations, was published by Donald M. Grant, Publisher, Inc. in 1976. The volume debuted at MidAmeriCon, the 34th World Science Fiction Convention, where Barr was the convention's Fan Guest of Honor, along with Robert A. Heinlein, who was the convention's professional writer Guest of Honor. Barr provided the full color wrap around dust jacket for the convention's hardcover program book.

Since then Barr has provided numerous black and white interior illustrations and dozens of full color covers for various professional science fiction magazines and for dozens of science fiction and fantasy book covers. He has also illustrated Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game supplements, including 1987's Dragonlance Adventures, the Dungeon Master's Design Kit, and several books in the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Gamebooks line.

Personal life

George Barr was born in Tucson, Arizona, grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, and later lived in Northern California.