Eldritch Terrors Galour! (Now With 25% More Eeriness For Your Viewing Satisfaction.)

[pyan]

That was a surprise, Curt: didn't realise you were a Deviantart!

[Curt Chiarelli]

Originally Posted by j. d. worthington

Well, as we've discussed some of your interpretations before, Curt, as a purist, I don't always agree with your interpretation, but that's simply me being a stick-in-the-mud..... They are impressive pieces, and really do deserve to be out there as valid interpretations... and preferably either available in book form themselves, or as the artwork in set of Lovecraftian graphic adaptations/original tales....

Thanks J.D.! I was just weary of seeing the same old hoary squidheads cavorting across book covers or - the ultimate cop-out - pigment smudged or clay slapped on and swirled around indiscriminately without rhyme or reason, thinking that this created a "Lovecraftian mood". I still think Michael Whelan and John Jude Palencar are the best Lovecraftian interpreters operating today!

[Curt Chiarelli]

Originally Posted by pyan

That was a surprise, Curt: didn't realise you were a Deviantart!

Well, it seemed like a natural choice, all things considered. I'm a deviant and an artist, so, it's comforting to know I'm in good company on that site!

[j. d. worthington]

Originally Posted by Curt Chiarelli

I still think Michael Whelan and John Jude Palencar are the best Lovecraftian interpreters operating today!

I'd certainly put them well up there; though I've not kept up with so many of the artists doing Lovecraftian work, that I'd be reluctant to make a list of "the best", just because of my sheer lack of knowledge. And, though he wasn't an interpreter of HPL, strictly speaking, Giger was certainly influenced by in some ways, and a lot of his work remains high on my list of things evoking a Lovecraftian mood....

[Curt Chiarelli]

Here's an original autograph sketch by Lovecraft himself dated 11 May, 1934 and inscribed to R.H. Barlow in which we can see a profile of Old Squidface with a set of three eyes per side, six altogether. Although my version is short three peepers and centered no less, the theme of uneven pairings is clearly communicated through this rough drawing.

[pyan]

Just as well HPL stuck mainly to writing....never really visualised the Sleeping God being quite so tubby.......

Originally Posted by The Interpreter

the theme of uneven pairings is clearly communicated through this rough drawing.

Three each side is six, though: slightly unusual, but mirrored in spiders, etc - but an odd number in total still seems odd to me...

[Curt Chiarelli]

Quoth The Interpreter:

You draw 'em your way, and I'll draw 'em mine.

[j. d. worthington]

Originally Posted by pyan

Just as well HPL stuck mainly to writing....never really visualised the Sleeping God being quite so tubby.......

You should see some of his own self-portraits! Or the picture he did after he had been robbed of most of his clothing when living in Red Hook -- clothed in long hair and beard, standing outside a clothier's window.....

[Curt Chiarelli]

I agree on both counts; decidedly unflattering! (Still, slumbering in R'lyeh for aeons can cause you to pack on those unwanted pounds!)



The script under his self-portrait reads: "H.P. Lovecraft - On his 41st Birthday - Aug. 20, 1931 (as long as he's able, if at all, by the look.)"