Brad W. Foster

Brad W. Foster (born April 26 1955) is an illustrator, cartoonist, writer and publisher and is six-time winner of the Hugo Award for Best Fan Artist, the most prestigious awards in science fiction and fantasy.

Biography

Brad Foster was born in San Antonio, Texas. Graduating in 1977 from Texas A&M University with a Bachelors degree in Environmental Design, he continued his studies for two more years at the University of Texas at Austin, concentrating on techniques of fine and commercial art.

In 1976, he founded the small press publishing company Jabberwocky Graphix, initially to print and distribute his own art and comics, although he has subsequently published the work of over 300 other artists from around the world. Between 1987 and 1988, he wrote and drew four issues of the comicbook "Mechthings", which were published by Renegade Press. In the early 1990s he worked on "Shadowhawk" for Jim Valentino at Image Comics. For that comic he was listed in the credits as the "Big-Background Artist". That odd credit referred to his role in both pencilling and inking the larger and more detailed background designs only on select panels and pages, rather than throughout.

From 1987 to 1991 he was a regular contributing illustrator to the science fiction magazine Amazing Stories. In 2008 he began producing illustrations for the newsletter Ansible, published by British author David Langford, creating a full color version for the on-line edition, and a different black-and-white version for the print edition.

Known for his intricate black and white drawings, Brad currently tours the country appearing at street art festivals and science fiction conventions.

Awards

In addition to his record six Hugo Award wins for Best Fan Artist, he also won the Chesley Award in 1988, from the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists.In 2001 he also won the Bill Rotsler Award, which was named after prolific fan artist Bill Rotsler. He has also won awards for his artwork at various art festivals around the country, including twice at The Red River Revel in Shreveport, Louisiana.

elected works

*"The Adventures of Olivia" #1 - 5 (co-writer/artist 1989-1996) Jabberwocky Graphix
*"Altered Image" #1 (inker, 1998) Image Comics
*"File 770" 1984 through present (covers and illustrations) Mike Glyer publisher
*"Fission Chicken" #1 - 4 (color finished art over pencils by J. P. Morgan) Fantagraphics
*"Highlights for Children" 1983 (hidden pictures page)
*"Mechthings" #1 - 4 (writer/artist 1987-1988) Renegade Press
*"Slam Bang" #1 (1985) through present (various covers, comic strips and illustrations) Fan-Atic Press

ee also

* Hugo Awards

External links

* [http://www.jabberwockygraphix.com/fosterbio.html Brad W. Foster's Jabberwocky Graphix business website]
* [http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Quadrant/1956/ Brad W. Foster's science fiction fannish art website]