Edward Ficklin (he/him), the maverick artist not afraid to say gay, is a self-taught painter, writer, publisher and sometimes technologist. He creates sensuous and erotically-tinged queer surrealist art, publishes queer-centered sci-fi comix, and pontificates regularly on a range of topics in his Queer Quantum Dispatch newsletter.
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Hello, darlings! Looking fabulous as always. Some time ago, I made a fun discovery on that infamous bird site now known by a single letter: a feed of vintage sci-fi cover art. While I’ve left that particular site behind, I’m happy to say that I can still delight in that stream of vintage art. The originator of that feed now has not only a newsletter, but also a glorious new book for you to delight in: Worlds Beyond Time: Sci-Fi Art of The 1970s. Adam Rowe, our curator, has loving collected and produced an amazing volume of a the veary particular genre of sci-fi book cover art. I’ve been known to gush about such art myself. So imagine my delight upon finally receiving a copy of the book. While its influence on my own work has been clear to me for some time, Rowe points out that this era’s art extends well beyond its own time and into ours: Seventies-era science fiction cover art is the ultimate wellspring of imagination that we’re drinking from to this day, percolating through our consciousness until it has become inseparable from how we perceive modern science fiction. Sure, there’s the big franchises like Star Wars and Dune, both of which are going strong, but retro sci-fi style turns up in new blockbusters as well, from Marvel’s Chris-Foss-powered space operas to Avatar, which flipped Roger Dean’s art portfolio upside down and shook it for loose floating rock landscapes. ​ I will certainly own up to drinking from that well, too. These covers and artists were a huge part of the cultural ingestion during my formative years. While my tastes have expanded considerably, it’s still there, all these many years and many works later. Flipping through this book is quite the nostalgia trip—slipping on a comfy pair of slippers and wrapping up in a cozy blanket. Whether reliving the past or going on a new journey, this lovely book is worth a read. Explore the continuity of past and present and how one thing feeds into another. Remember, nothing comes from nothing. Where to Buy...Until next time, flame on! 🔥 This has been the Queer Quantum Dispatch, brought to you by artist Edward Ficklin. If you enjoyed it, smash the forward button and share the love. 💖 If you got this from a friend (and what a friend!) subscribe for more! |
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Edward Ficklin
Edward Ficklin (he/him), the maverick artist not afraid to say gay, is a self-taught painter, writer, publisher and sometimes technologist. He creates sensuous and erotically-tinged queer surrealist art, publishes queer-centered sci-fi comix, and pontificates regularly on a range of topics in his Queer Quantum Dispatch newsletter.
Hello, darlings, how are you? Looking fabulous as always. Nestled at the bottom of this morning’s round up of news from the New York Times was a fun little article (gift link) about the still on-going excavation of Pompeii. I mean, for how many centuries now have people been picking away at those lava-covered ruins? While finds like cool frescoes in a dining room garner coverage in major outlets, rarely does anyone discuss the amazing number of erotic works uncovered. Uncovered and then,...
One of the most wonderful spring rituals of the NYC area is the New York Botanical Garden’s Orchid Show. A fabulously steamy display of the sexiest flowers nature has to offer. You’ve got more sexual organs on display than even the wildest backroom. It’s on through April 21. If you’re in the area, check it out. Over the last couple of years, flowers have been showing up more and more in my paintings. So, on the occasion of my visit to this year’s extravaganza, I posed myself the question: why...
Darlings, how are you? Looking fabulous as always. Two juicy updates on my recent exploits at furthering my gay agenda. First, a naughty art show in the desert and then, a new chapter in the graphic novel. Two of my bois headed on a trip west for the Tucson Erotica art show running March 2-30. The show runs the entire month, punctuated with special events that look delicious. If you go, I hope you’ll share all the juicy details. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. Sharing the walls with all the other...