Boris Vallejo
Considered to be one of the masters of modern fantasy illustration, Boris Vallejo was born in Lima, Peru on January 8, 1941. After receiving formal art training in his home country, Vallejo emigrated to the United States in 1964.
The distinct style of Vallejo's work has built a tremendous following in the genre. Whether the work features sword and sorcery, space travel, pulp heroes, or imaginative creatures, his paintings are often tinged with eroticism. Vallejo's wife Julie Bell often serves as the model in his work. A highly-regarded fantasy illustrator in her own right, Bell met Vallejo in 1989. A nationally-ranked bodybuilder, she began modeling for Vallejo and was inspired to create her own paintings. Bell and Vallejo married in 1994 and continue to inspire each other, often collaborating on paintings.
Over the course of his fifty year career, Vallejo has painted nearly every fantasy figure: Tarzan, John Carter, Conan, Red Sonja, and many more. Although, his most-viewed work may be the illustrated film poster for National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983), in which Vallejo lampoons his own barbarian-themed work.
Julie Bell.
Julie Bell was born in Beaumont, Texas. A former nationally ranked competitive bodybuilder, she applies the same discipline and intensity to her art career. Her knowledge of anatomy has allowed her to imbue her figures of humans and animals with grace and strength. At the heart of her work is a deep curiosity, honor, and respect for the world of emotions.
After having her heart captured by a pack of wolves at Lakota Wolf Preserve in 2001, Julie has also turned her attention to painting wildlife. She is strongly earning her place among the top wildlife and western painters, winning awards and showing her work in exhibits throughout the USA and Europe. In the 2014 Art Renewal Center’s International Salon, she won 7 awards and two purchase awards, including 1st and 3rd in the Animal Category and 1st place in the Imaginative Realism Category. In November of 2015, she was awarded the Mountain Oyster Club’s Denise McCalla Memorial Top Choice Award. She was named a Living Master by the Art Renewal Center and was recently invited to show her equine paintings at the American Academy of Equine Arts Invitational Salon in conjunction with the Kentucky Derby.
Julie’s work in the fantasy and science fiction field has appeared on hundreds of book covers, comic books, trading cards, and various collectibles. Her work can be seen worldwide in major advertising campaigns, album covers, posters, and collectibles of all kinds.
Every year, she and her husband, Boris Vallejo, produce paintings for the highly anticipated Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell Fantasy Calendar published by Workman.
Julie’s work is represented by Legacy Gallery, Scottsdale, Jackson, and Bozeman locations, Rehs Gallery, New York City, and Saks Gallery, Denver. She is a member of the California Art Club, The Art Renewal Center, and the Society of Animal Artists
