DEAN ELLIS (1920-2009) & ED VALIGURSKY (1926-2009)

Two legendary SF cover artists have passed away.

Dean Ellis artwork featured in OMNI Magazine

Dean Ellis was prolific and prominent in both the illustration and fine art communities. He was born in Detroit, Michigan and studied at the Cleveland School of Art from 1939 to 1942 and with Karl Zerbe at the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts from 1946 to 1947. He served as an infantryman in the Pacific during World War II; after the war he worked as an illustrator in Cleveland, Ohio, while developing a reputation as a painter. In 1950, LIFE Magazine listed him as one of nineteen most promising young American artists. Along with numerous magazine and book covers (including a series of paintings for Ray Bradbury's books), Ellis also created many stamp designs for the U.S. Postal Service. Samples of his art is owned by the Cleveland Museum of Art and resides in many private collections. Dean is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lois, a renowned portrait painter, and his daughter Tracey Ellis.

Ray Bradbury cover by Dean Ellis

Another example of Dean Ellis' work

An example of Ed Valigursky's artwork

Amazing Stories cover by Ed Valigursky

Edward Valigursky, a contemporary of Ellis, earned numerous awards and honors for his striking paintings throughout his lengthy career.

Born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, Valigursky used his artistic ability to amuse his brothers and sisters with a variety of fanciful drawings. After serving with the Navy during World War II, he used the GI Bill to study at the Art Institute of Chicago before transferring to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. After graduation, he moved to New York and became a popular illustrator. In the 1950s and '60s he worked as an art director and cover artist for many F&SF magazines, including Amazing Stories, If, and Fantastic. He also produced covers for books by Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Harlan Ellison, and Ray Bradbury before moving on to create art for NASA and the Pentagon. Ed never really retired, instead doing commissioned work, usually for private collectors. Many of his illustrations have been featured in exhibits in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. and the Royal Air Force Museum in London. He is survived by his wife, Rita, his daughter, Lisa, his son, and two grandsons.

Our condolences to the Ellis and Valigursky families.

Another example of Ed Valigursky's artwork

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