If we mentioned Earl Norem’s work you most probably wouldn’t have heard of him. However, when you look back to the artwork of the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s Earl’s paintbrush is all over it.
We know Earl’s work from his contributions to the Master’s of the Universe artwork. And less so from the gun wielding images of heroes saving ‘damsels’ in distress from moments of imminent danger. Not his fault from the sound of things, a sign of the times you could say.
Earl Norem who has sadly past away now (1923-2015) at the grand old age of 92 was an incredible visualiser. In what is a dying artform his hand painted visuals are show stoppingly incredible.
We want to focus on the epic images he created for Master’s of the Universe. And particularly the comic book series where He-Man battles the all powerful Skeletor, and his friends.
Norem favored painting in acrylics. and having been suffering from arthritis for some time, he had retired only as of 2005. Painting for his own amusement and for his grandchildren.
Heartbreakingly he said in a 2005 interview,
“All the contacts that I had in the commercial art field are either retired or dead, and the younger art buyers don’t want anything to do with an 81-year-old artist.”
We know what his talent was and that’s why we would like to share that with you. Long live Earl.
I'm co-founder of Crazy Animal Face, host of the CAF Podcast, and compere of our CAF events. My views are my own.
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