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Spectrum 14: The Best In Contemporary Fantastic Art edited by Cathy Fenner and Arnie Fenner
02/08/2008 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
pub: Underwood Books. 248 page softcover. Price: $29.95 (US). ISBN: 978-1-59929-007-2. Buy Spectrum 14: The Best In Contemporary Fantastic Art in the USA - or Buy Spectrum 14: The Best In Contemporary Fantastic Art in the UK  check out websites: www.underwoodbooks.com and www.spectrumfantasticart.com
If you read the annual best SF fiction books and wonder if there's an equivalent for the fantastic art then look no further as the 'Spectrum' artbook series is the one for you. Granted they only pick the winners from the material that is submitted for entry but you also see the rest of the selection chosen as well. As this is a long drawn out process, this book covers the material that was released in 2006. In the introduction, the Fenners point out that the year was a lot darker than usual and this reflects in the palates used. Indeed, a page flick would make you think all the artists used an earth colours palate although a closer inspection shows there's also a lot more brighter pictures and certainly several decent humorous ones as well. Whether or not you agree with the choice of winners tends to be irrelevant because you get to see them all. There were also some three hundred entries making this book good value for money as there will be something in here to please you all.
The categories are divided into eight categories: Advertising, Books, Comics, Concept Art, Dimensional (sculpture in other words), Editorial, Institutional and Unpublished. Many of them will be names you've come across before. Others less so. This book should be owned by every genre publisher as a means to have a look at various artists work and also because it also gives contact addresses for employment.
The Fenners also look at the art books that were released in that period which is handy if you think you might have missed any. Syd Mead is also given the Grand Master Award and there is an obituary for Stanley Meltzoff, each also showing samples of their work.
It is obvious from looking at the material shown here that the Fenners keep a firm eye on the art that is out there. Whether or not a piece of art appeals to anyone depends on how you measure quality and appeal which doesn't necessary match together. Other than choosing winners, along with their judges, nothing is judgmental in their choices and although there is nothing truly abstract here, the material varies from loose to tight work in all mediums from oils and acrylics to digital.
The few samples or even the words here can't do justice to this book and if you love SF or fantasy art books then this should be part of your collection.
GF Willmetts
The pictures above in order of appearance under the cover are by:-
Dan dos Santos
Peter de Sčve
Justin Sweet
Peter Meseldžiji
This is by perrmission of the publishers and no copyright infringement is intended. They also look great full size.
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