Celebration Europe Art: Showcasing Stellar Talent

The Celebration Europe Art Show will bring together an incredible roster of talented artists, most of whom have contributed to the overall look, feel, and atmosphere of the Star Wars galaxy through their work for the movies, books and comics in the Expanded Universe, and for licensed Star Wars products worldwide.
Browse the works of nearly 30 artists in Exhibit Hall S6/S6, as you enjoy pieces inspired by the rich palette of 30 years of Star Wars. Artists in the Art Show are each offering a limited edition print that will be for sale only at Celebration Europe.

Here is a look at just the first list of the artists, and their art, scheduled to be featured at Celebration Europe.

Steve Anderson has been in the art field for over 20 years, and has been an official Star Wars artist for the past 13. His first Star Wars projects involved puzzle and calendar art for Hallmark Cards. Since then, as a freelance illustrator, Steve has created artwork for the Lucasfilm Licensing style guides for Episodes I, II, and III, and for the original trilogy. Steve also has created numerous book covers for Random House, including the covers for Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith, Labyrinth of Evil, The Approaching Storm, Survivor's Quest, and Tatooine Ghost, to name just a few. Steve's art also has appeared on game boxes, action figure packaging, and on more than 20 puzzles for Hasbro Games. He lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife, three kids, and a golden retriever.

This is one of the most kinetic pieces of the show. You can almost hear the lightsaber hum in Steve Anderson's richly-colored rendering of Anakin and Vader. You might want to use an extra nail to keep this secured on your wall.

Dave Dorman is an Eisner award-winning illustrator who has been working as a professional since 1982. He is best known for his action and fantasy subjects including Star Wars, Aliens, Predator, Batman, and Indiana Jones. In 1988 he painted his first covers for Dark Horse comics, which led to his connection to Lucasfilm, and the work he is most known for: Star Wars. Dorman has produced over 200 paintings of Star Wars material for comics, books, toys, cards, CD books, limited edition prints, posters, and many other products and items. Currently Dorman's work can be seen in the most recent decks of Magic the Gathering, Highlander, Battlestar Galactica, comic covers, as well as sketch cards for the Topps' 30th anniversary Star Wars collector set. This summer he premiers a new ongoing series inside Heavy Metal Magazine featuring his Wasted Lands armored infantry, the Light Angels. See more at www.davedorman.com and www.wastedlands.com.

"Jundland Wastes" Dave Dorman bring to life an amazing "what if' moment in the Star Wars universe. In A New Hope, we only saw the aftermath of the stormtrooper assault on the sandcrawler. Here Dorman depicts what might have taken place as the Empire frantically searches everywhere for two missing droids. Had they succeeded, the Death Star would still be in orbit and the Rebellion crushed under the weight of the Empire.

While studying at the Art Center College of Design in the early 90s, Tommy Lee Edwards began establishing himself as a diverse illustrator in the realm of comics, film, video games, animation, and more. He currently resides in central North Carolina, illustrating Random House children's books, comics for Marvel, movies for Warner Bros., book covers for Del Rey, and games for Electronic Arts. Some of Tommy's past credits include comics like The Question and Bullet Points; movies such as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Batman Begins; and video games like Command and Conquer, James Bond, and Medal of Honor. His work is perhaps best known within the realm of books and licensing illustrations created for all three Star Wars prequels. See more at www.tommyleeedwards.com.

Tommy Lee Edwards makes his second Celebration appearance this year with a very kinetic piece. Starfighters streak through the artwork as do lightsabers, Jedi and Sith. A stunning piece!

As the design consultant and conceptual artist for the original Star Wars trilogy, Ralph McQuarrie helped to bring the vision of George Lucas to life. With only the director's script and words as a reference, McQuarrie played a pivotal role in creating the look of Star Wars with his painted images of exotic aliens, helpful droids, futuristic vehicles, and mysterious landscapes.

Over three Star Wars movies (A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi), McQuarrie's sketches and production paintings served as the framework from which Lucas and his team of set and costume designers, make-up artists and special effects wizards worked. In addition to his film, television, and publishing work outside the Star Wars universe, McQuarrie created artwork for Star Wars books including The Illustrated Star Wars Universe, The Mos Eisley Cantina Pop-Up Book, and Jabba's Palace Pop-Up Book. McQuarrie lives in Berkeley, Calif. with his wife Joan.

We are honored to have two pieces from the master at Celebration Europe. While the legendary McQuarrie cannot make it to Europe, he is sending his ambassadors on an artistic and diplomatic mission along with two new prints consisting of concept work for A New Hope. It's fun to see not only where our favorite designs came from but also what they could have been. How cool would stormtroopers be carrying shields? What if the Death Star wasn't the perfect sphere we all know, but covered in an array of mysterious protruding structures? Ponder these questions for yourself as you gaze at McQuarrie's stunning work on your wall.

After surviving a crash landing on the forest moon of Endor, the local Ewoks took Monte in, and taught him the useful trade of airbrushing, which they are quite fond of. Once proficient with the use of his feet for drawing and painting, Monte decided to take his show on the road. Nearly starving to death as a professional stunt driver, he finally gave into the dark side of the Force and became a professional illustrator. Tricking great clients such as Wizards of the Coast, Playboy, Coors, Microsoft, and finally Lucasfilm into believing he was a quality artist, he continues to this day to support his passionate motorcycle habit with his art. This two-time winner of the World Fantasy Art show and author/artist for 6 fantasy/pin-up art books someday hopes to return to the wilds of Endor and live out his days swinging from the trees and picking off scout walkers with his trusty slingshot. See more at www.mavarts.com.

This piece by Monte Moore does nothing if not reinforce what an epic saga Star Wars truly is. All six films are made up of so many memorable moments and characters that create one galaxy-spanning story rich with heroes, villains, powerful visuals, and the nuances of the Force. Monte has captured many of those memories in his piece for Celebration Europe. Who knows what classic moments the next 30 years of Star Wars will bring us?

At age 13 in 1977, Jason was in the Star Wars cross-hairs. He spent Jr. High drawing Star Wars on everything. Jason was born and raised in the Los Angeles area and has been doing illustration professionally since 1991. He has worked on a variety of projects, from comic books to prop art for television shows. For Star Wars he's done cards, posters, toy design, and even a Darth Vader beer stein. Some of his other projects/clients include Star Trek, Warner Bros., and Indiana Jones. Jason is busy with an official line of Serenity art prints. He lives in Huntington Beach, California, with his wife Yelena and cats Squeak and Tina. See more at www.jasonpalmer.net.

Jason Palmer has created a virtual catalog of Queen Amidala's wardrobe from the Star Wars prequels. We're not sure if he literally raided her closet, or bought two copies of Dressing a Galaxy. Regardless, his finished piece depicts thirty-eight stunning images of Padmé in every gown she wore in the movies, in incredible detail.

Japanese artist Tsuneo Sanda set up his design studio, Creative House of Sanda, in 1993. He has produced work for Omni magazine as well as Dark Horse, Paramount Pictures, and Lucasfilm. His work in the Star Wars universe includes various book covers and posters as well as previous Star Wars Celebration pieces. Tsuneo is well known for incorporating many characters and vehicles in his paintings. See more at www.sandaworld.com.

Tsuneo Sanda returns to yet another Celebration with another wonderful piece. Here he fills the galaxy with a shadow of evil. Villains from all six films are shown here in their wicked glory. From the most powerful and twisted to the most maniacal and mechanical, evil never looked so good!

Ken Steacy is a Canadian Air Force "brat" who decided at age 11 to become a professional comic book artist. He studied film and video at The Ontario College of Art and Design, but drove his profs crazy by turning in comic strips instead of film or video. Since then he has written and illustrated the exploits of many of the most popular characters, including Astro Boy, Batman, Superman, Spider-man and X-Men. Steacy recently produced the display artwork for the Space Place gallery at Edmonton's Telus World of Science, designed the sets and promotional material for a production of West Side Story, and painted a stack of Harry Potter trading cards. Ken is very happily married to artist Joan Steacy and they have two terrific kids, Alex and Raymond. See more at www.tommcbomb.com and www.kenspublishing.com.

Ken Steacy not only pays homage to the "Maker" himself but also to a living legend. The Rebel painting the X-wing is none other than Ralph McQuarrie. What a wonderful and appropriate piece for the anniversary of the Star Wars Saga and the Celebration Art Show!

Jerry Vanderstelt has been a fan of Star Wars, like many people, from 1977. Back then, Jerry went to see A New Hope at a drive-in theatre in the family Buick with crusty old speakers. From that time on, Star Wars has been a subject Jerry has had in his art portfolio. Jerry has done several official Star Wars projects for Lucasfilm, and now has created a new piece based on Episode III. The lithograph will measure 24 x 36 inches. Jerry works for many companies including Lucasfilm Ltd., Hasbro, The Bradford Exchange, The Franklin Mint, Capital One Bank, New Line Cinema. His work can also be seen on sci-fi and fantasy book covers for Ace, Pocket, Roc, Bantam, and Scholastic Books. He is getting ready to launch his official The Lord of the Rings lithographs, licensed by New Line Cinema. See more at www.vandersteltstudio.com.

Much of what Yoda did during his years in exile on Dagobah remain a mystery. Jerry Vanderstelt explores this with a beautiful painting of the wizened Master channeling the force. Perhaps he is preparing for a visit from a young Jedi who will depend on his guidance to restore peace to the galaxy.

Although his original career goals included both becoming bionic and joining the Rebellion against the Empire, Russell Walks eventually decided that his destiny did lie along another path, and chose art school over adventure. Since beginning his career as a professional illustrator in 1992, Walks has created art based on licensed properties for clients including Lucasfilm, Paramount, Warner Bros., and Marvel, while his award-winning children's-themed work has appeared in a variety of books and magazines. Walks is also a successful painter; his personal work has won both regional and national acclaim, and hangs in private collections throughout the world. Walks currently lives in Montana, where he spends his days drawing, painting, and counting himself lucky that he actually gets paid for doing what he loves.

1138...what is it about that number? Russell Walks returns to Celebration with this tongue in cheek "postcard" from our favorite Rebel friends. The cellblock might be a nice place to visit but you wouldn't want to stay. Into the chute flyboy!

Celebration Europe Art Show
Artists' Alley Area, HallS5/S6
ExCeL Center
Friday, July 13 9 am - 6 pm
Saturday, July 14 9 am - 6 pm
Sunday, July 15 9 am - 3 pm
9 - 10 am each day for members of the Official Star Wars Fan Club only.