Kelly Freas

Frank Kelly Freas (born 27 August 1922), the "Dean of Science Fiction Artists," is recognized as one of the most prolific and popular science fiction and fantasy artists in the world. His career spans more than fifty years. Since "The Piper" cover for Weird Tales in 1950, his art has graced the covers of hundreds of books and magazines, including Astounding/Analog from the 1950s through the 1990s; Mad Magazine covers from 1955 to 1962; cover art for DAW, Signet, Ballantine, Avon, all 58 Laser Books (which are now collectors' items) and over 90 covers for Ace books alone. He was editor and artist for the first ten Starblaze books.

He was commissioned to paint the Skylab I insignia design and posters promoting the space program (used by NASA and now hanging in the Smithsonian Institution); pinup girls on bombers while in the US Army Air Corps; comic book covers; the cover of Queen's first two-million-selling album News of the World; the covers of the GURPS worldbooks Lensman and Planet Krishna; and many others, such as more than 500 saints' portraits for the Franciscans executed simultaneously with his portraits of Alfred E. Neuman ("What? Me Worry?") for Mad. He is very active in gaming and medical illustration.

Kelly has published several collections of his artwork and frequently gives presentations. His work has appeared in numerous exhibitions. Among many other awards, Kelly was the first person to receive ten Hugo awards. He has been nominated twenty times.

No other artist in science fiction has consistently matched his record. His smooth and luminous images, amiable aliens and sexy women have become part of today's science fiction visual language.

Kelly's awards include:

10 Hugos (1955, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976)
Frank R. Paul Award, 1977
Inkpot Award, 1979
Skylark Award, 1981
Rova Award, 1981
Lensman Award, 1982
Phoenix Award, 1982
Los Angeles Science Fiction Society Service Award, 1983
Neographics Award, 1985
Daedalos Life Achievement Award, 1987
Art Teacher Emeritus Award, 1988
Best Professional, Media, International Fantasy Expo, 1989
Chesley Award (with Laura Freas), 1990
Numerous Science Fiction Art Show Awards
National Association of Trade and Technical Schools National Hall of Fame, 1991
AnLab (Analog magazine) Readers' Poll, Best Cover, 1991