BARR, George

(1937-)

   US sf illustrator. One of the most meticulous of sf/fantasy artists, he is also one of the least appreciated - at least for his professional work. GB started by illustrating sf FANZINES and was nominated five times for the HUGO as Best Fan Artist, winning in 1968 and 1969. However, he had by then already sold his first professional illustration to FANTASTIC, the cover for Mar 1961. He continued with some magazine work, but is perhaps best known for his paperback covers for ACE BOOKS, DAW BOOKS and others. His often delicate, sometimes whimsical, artwork is influenced by his appreciation of the work of Arthur Rackham (1867-1939) and Hannes BOK. GB works primarily in colour, laying watercolour washes over ball-point lines. In a field that emphasizes brightness, his pastel shades are almost unique. More recently he has done many interior illustrations for ISAAC ASIMOV'S SCIENCE FICTION MAGAZINE. A showcase for his work is Upon the Winds of Yesterday, and Other Explorations (1976).