Alive and Screaming: The horror-inspired sci-fi fantasy art of Les Edwards

02.18.2020
07:43 am
Topics:
Art
Music
Tags:
John Carpenter
Stephen King
Clive Barker
Les Edwards

A painting by Les Edwards commissioned by KHBB advertising to be used as a poster to promote the UK release of Stephen King’s film ‘Graveyard Shift.’

While artist Les Edwards was a student at the Hornsey College of Art from 1968 until he graduated in 1972, he was told on more than one occasion he would never find work in his chosen profession, illustration. Edwards would ignore the advice of his peers and teachers and become a freelance artist shortly after leaving school. During his four decades as an artist, he would work with director John Carpenter and authors Stephen King and Clive Barker. Edwards’ work has appeared on books and in magazines since the late 60s, catering to the science-fiction/fantasy/horror genre, and if you are familiar with Edwards’ work, you might even be a metalhead, as his credits include a few notable album covers such as the 1983 single from Metallica, “Jump in the Fire.” An interview with Edwards from 2016 rightfully touted him as an artist that should need “no introduction.” Still, it seems Edwards’ prolific genre-specific artwork has not received the credit it clearly deserves.

Let’s try to fix that.

While he was beginning his education at Hornsey College of Art, the school was in the midst of student protests and sit-ins, unhappy with the physical state of the school and lack of funding to improve the conditions or curriculum. This would evolve into a six-week situation during which students and faculty occupied the Crouch End building on campus, best described by those there as almost “festival-like” and “empowering.” Given the general displeasure of the student body during Edwards’ time at Hornsey, it’s reasonable to believe the “advice” he received meant to deter him from his desired profession was bunk, and his early acceptance into the Young Artists agency is proof of that. Run by author and songwriter John B Spencer, the Young Artists agency represented the brightest talent in art and illustration in the UK. But, according to Edwards, none of the artists on Young Artists’ roster understood how influential their collective work would become, including future master-airbrush artist Chris Foss, and Edwards himself. Here’s a bit from Edwards reflecting on his time at school and what it actually taught him:

“There’s a lot to learn about painting, and one thing I did learn at art school was that you pretty much have to teach yourself. Also, if you’re painting day after day, you have to make it interesting and challenging, or you just become a machine.”

Looking at the kind of work Edwards put out during his career clearly demonstrates how influential his work has been. In part, we all have Edwards to thank for our modern-day preoccupation with zombies and vampires, as well as his muscle-bound Conan-esque conquerors popularized most recently in Game of Thrones. When the show became a worldwide obsession, Edwards openly speculated his younger self would “laughed” at the idea that such a show could ever exist. These days, Edwards paints more often under the name Edward Miller, illustrating and painting subjects unrelated to his award-winning “Red Period” and has been the recipient of the British Fantasy Award for Best Artist seven times. If you kept all your old heavy metal records, such as Krokus’ Alive and Screaming (1986) or Uriah Heep’s nearly perfect record, Abominog, you own artwork created by the talented Mr. Edwards. His work spanning the years 1968-1988 was compiled into the 1989 book, Blood & Iron, the only publication featuring his work to date. If you’d like to own a piece of Edwards art yourself, a large variety (including originals) can be purchased on his website. For now, please take a look at some of his work from the last few decades (and trust me, I’m just slicing through the surface here)—some are NSFW.

“The Monsters Escape” (private commission).

A portrait of author Robert Bloch for the cover of the book ‘Psychomania’ (2013). Bloch’s 1959 book ‘Psycho’ was the basis for Alfred Hitchcock’s film.

An image of actress and Hammer Films star Ingrid Pitt painted by Edwards for ‘The Mammoth Book of Vampire Stories By Women’ (2001).

“Regan.” This work by Edwards appeared on the cover of ‘Cemetery Dance’ dedicated to the author of ‘The Exorcist,’ William Peter Blatty following his death in 2017.

This painting by Edwards made for John Carpenter’s ‘The Thing’ appeared all over the London Underground during the film’s premiere. Final touches were applied by Edwards friend and artist, Jim Burns.

Artwork for Clive Barker’s film ‘Nightbreed’ used for the UK release of the film.

One of many paintings of Rawhead Rex by Edwards.

Edwards’ unforgettable artwork for Clive Barker’s ‘Rawhead Rex’ (1994).

“Cannibal Lunch” private commission.

This piece by Edwards is one of five created for the 30th anniversary edition of Stephen King’s book ‘Thinner.’

Another incredible private commission by Edwards.

The cover art featured on a 1994 compilation of short horror stories from J. G. Ballard, Harlan Ellison, Ramsey Campbell and others, ‘Shudder Again.’

Edwards grim painting for the cover of Carl Jacobi’s book, ‘Revelations in Black’ (1977).

1983.

1982. This painting by Edwards also appeared on the only book featuring his artwork ‘Blood & Iron.’

1986.

1986.

1982.

1987.

A photograph of the impossibly cool Les Edwards.