FREAS, (Frank) Kelly

(1922-)

   US illustrator, the most popular sf artist in the history of the field; the list of his accomplishments is staggering. Since he entered the field in 1950 he has painted hundreds of covers for 28 magazines, most famously for ASF from 1953 (interior work also) but including also FSF, Planet Stories and If, as well as for many book publishers, including ACEBOOKS, GNOME PRESS, DAW BOOKS and all the covers for LASER BOOKS. The gritty realism of his and Ed EMSHWILLER's work in the 1950s redefined sf art during that period. He also painted many covers for Mad Magazine and designed the astronauts' shoulder patch for the Skylab 1 mission. His art has been collected in a portfolio from ADVENT: PUBLISHERS, Frank Kelly Freas (portfolio 1957), and in 3 books, Frank Kelly Freas: The Art ofScience Fiction (1977), Frank Kelly Freas: A Separate Star (1984) and The Astounding Fifties (1971) (1990). Much of his work, sometimes reminiscent of that of Edd CARTIER, is relaxedly humorous, featuring vigorous vagabonds, amiable aliens and a selection of jaunty scoundrels. He has won numerous awards, including 10 HUGOS for Best Professional Artist.

   JG/PN

   See also: ASTOUNDING SCIENCE-FICTION; ILLUSTRATION.