Artist Profile: Gil Cohen


As an illustrator, Gil Cohen has done work for several clients: The U.S. Information Agency, The National Park Service, Paramount Pictures, Bantam books, Harlequin Books, Random House, Holt Rinehart & Winston, Warner-Lambert, The U.S. Coast Guard, The National Guard Bureau, and Boeing & Sikorsky Aircraft Companies.  However, he is best known for his aviation-themed paintings of World War II.  His paintings are not only distinguished by his attention to historical and mechanical detail but also by their focus on the emotions of the men who flew the planes.

Below are 6 of Cohen’s pulp illustrations and 6 of his aviation paintings:

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Kidnapped Blondes on Love's Savage HighwayThe Gold SnatchersThe High RollresThe RavishersThe Siwtchblade Warriorsz -- After the Missionz -- Coming Homez -- For God and Countryz -- Return to Halesworthz -- Rose's Crewz -- Staying Power

Artist Profile: Walter Brooks (1922 — 1987)


Born in Glasgow, Walter Brooks came to the U.S. as an infant.  He studied art at the Cooper Union and served in the army during World War II.  After the war ended, he pursued a career as a commercial artist.  Along with painting the covers for several paperback publishers, Brooks also wrote, edited, and illustrated a series of art instruction books.  From 1971 to 1972, he was President of the Society of Illustrators.

Though I couldn’t find much of his work online, I liked what I could find.  Brooks’s covers had an impressionistic style that set them apart from other paperbacks.

1 My Son The MurdererCurtains 1Curtains 2First He DiedGo Down To GloryThe BatThe Girl in 304The Turn of the Screwzz1