New York-based artist George Gross got his start working for the pulp magazines in the 1940s and he was a prolific and in-demand artist for the next four decades. Along with painting covers for Action Stories, Detective Book Magazine, Jungle Stories and countless other magazines, Gross also painted covers for the popular Avenger and Nick Carter paperback series.
Today, the world was saddened to learn of the death of Leonard Nimoy. While Nimoy may have been best known for playing Mr. Spock on Star Trek, he was also an acclaimed photographer who published three collections — Shekhina, The Full Body Project, and Secret Selves — of his work. Nimoy’s work has been exhibited at the R. Michelson Galleries in Northampton, Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. Nimoy described himself as being primarily a conceptual artist and his work explored issues of body image and his own Jewish heritage.
Leonard Nimoy, R.I.P.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with these classic retro romance covers by Harry Bennett! Born in New York and raised in Connecticut, Bennett served in World War II and later studied painting and illustration at Chicago’s American Academy of Art. Starting in the 1950s, Bennett was one of the premier illustrators of gothic romance paperbacks. After retiring from commercial illustration in his 60s, Bennett devoted himself to painting and exhibiting his own original work.
Bennett was responsible for a countless number of paperback covers. A small sampling of his work can be found below:
Starting in the late 1940s, many comic book companies tried to broaden their audience by publishing romance comic books. These comics told dramatic love stories in which young women had to deal with issues of cheating, divorce, jealousy, heartache, and the search for the one. With Valentine’s Day approaching, here are some classic romance comic book covers.
Despite with that cover says, this romance doesn’t seem to be ideal.
John certainly looks serious. I hope Doris Bigelow gave her some good advice.
I don’t know how anyone could stay square after seeing that facial hair.
Didn’t anyone in these comics get along with their sister?
Love can drive you crazy.
At least they have something in common.
Like Beyoncé says, put a ring on it…
I love the blue eyeshadow.
Love, fun, and commitment issues on the beach.
I hear Heart Break is lovely this time of year.
I don’t think this is going to work out.
Happy Groundhog Day!
Erik Johansson is a self-taught artist who creates his surreal images through a combination of photography and Photoshop. As he puts it on his website, “He doesn’t capture moments, he capture ideas.” Born in Sweden, he currently lives in Berlin. Among his influences: Salvador Dali, M.C. Escher, Rob Gonslaves, and growing up on the Swedish countryside.
“If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze!”
-St. Catherine of Sienna
Happy 2015! Let’s make this year a great one!
Happy Holidays from the Shattered Lens! May the heart of every Grinch grow three sizes today!
The Grinch and his heart at the Richardson, TX Christmas Parade (photograph by Erin Nicole)
Margarita Kareva is a Russian photographer who, in just three years, has made a name for herself with her fantasy-inspired art photography. Her website is in Russian but the images speak for themselves.
To our readers in the U.S., Happy Thanksgiving from the Shattered Lens! Stay safe, be thankful, and enjoy the food!
Through the Shattered Lens 