Boris Vallejo & Julie Bell Paintings Gallery, Paintings indexed by...

Preliminary cover art for the book The Face of Apollo: Book of the Gods #1 by Fred Saberhagen. Published by Tor Books. April 1st 1998.
'I like the contrast between the macho imagery of the wolves, and the grace of the woman, like a ballerina.' explains Julie. Julie studied ballet as a child. She carried the sense of poise and balance learned in those early lessons with her throughout her bodybuilding days and on into her painting career.

Cover art for the book The Face of Apollo: Book of the Gods #1 by Fred Saberhagen. Published by Tor Books. April 1st 1998.
'I like the contrast between the macho imagery of the wolves, and the grace of the woman, like a ballerina.' explains Julie. Julie studied ballet as a child. She carried the sense of poise and balance learned in those early lessons with her throughout her bodybuilding days and on into her painting career.

These faces were a character guide for the sculptor of Mistress of Fire, a limited edition bronze figure issued by Franklin Mint.

This painting is an illustration for the 2001 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of June.
Julie was playing here with the idea of making the large dragon merge into the background by means of lighting contrast. so the smaller fairy becomes the main figure. The dragon was inspired by Siamese Fighting Fish with their? filmy fins while the fairy was modelled by Julie's sister Suzanne.

Boris's a fairy accompanied by her dragon

Often Boris and Julie produce drawings for projects that never complete, for example this is a design for the stem of a goblet which was never produced.

This image was composited together digitally to be used as outdoor advertising for Oasis (Coca-Cola) fruit drink. The whole process was explained in their technique book Fantasy Workshop.

One of a series of drawings for posters to advertise the drink Oasis produced by the Cocoa Cola Company.

One of a series of preliminary drawings for posters to advertise the drink Oasis produced by the Cocoa Cola Company.

This image was composited together digitally to be used as outdoor advertising for Oasis (Coca-Cola) fruit drink. The whole process was explained in their technique book Fantasy Workshop.

One of a series of preliminary drawings for posters to advertise the drink Oasis produced by the Cocoa Cola Company.

One of a series of preliminary drawings for posters to advertise the drink Oasis produced by the Cocoa Cola Company.

One of a series of preliminary drawings for posters to advertise the drink Oasis produced by the Cocoa Cola Company.

One of a series of preliminary drawings for posters to advertise the drink Oasis produced by the Cocoa Cola Company.

One of a series of preliminary drawings for posters to advertise the drink Oasis produced by the Cocoa Cola Company.

Julie started the elaborate costume of feathers with a random scribble, and then built up volume and improvised until she had the final costume.

A drawing reminiscent of the painting Kats Pet, possibly an early idea?

This painting is an interior illustration for the 2000 Heavy Metal Calendar featuring Julie Ann Strain, model and actress, she was a constant presence in Heavy Metal during the 1990s, often posing as a strong warrior woman.

An interior illustration for the book Ladies: Retold Tales Of Goddesses And Heroines. The stories were written by his first wife Doris.This drawing illustrates the story of Eurydice in the underworld distressed by an old man perpetually tormented by a bird.

This painting is an illustration for the 1999 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of March.
Just as Boris's trees possess an almost animal vitality. so his rocks often seem organically alive. while still looking like stone. You'd have to look hard to find anything like them in the real world but nevertheless they always feel right.

Cover art for the book Falling Stars by Michael Flynn. Published by Tor Books February 2001.

A Collaborative commission for a family portrait, that appeared on Julie's Instagram Sept 2nd 2023

Painted on a canvas that has been used before. Julie had this to say in 2019 on Instagram `A brand new painting with a history! This canvas actually has 4 other paintings under this one. One classic portrait, a still life of Big Bird, an ogre contemplating a human baby, and an abstract garden. I just didn’t like the feeling I got from any of them and finally found something I like. This is why the title in Fantasia 5!`
Also an illustration for the 2021 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of February.
BEAUTY IN BALANCE
The song of the ancien ts makes me feel weighdess as I dance with the divine.
Posted on Instagram OCTOBER 20, 2019.

Cover art for the book Battletech #23: Far Country by Peter Rice. Published by Penguin/Roc Books/Science Fiction October 1st 1993. BattleTech Universe #23. Painted by Boris entirely from his imagination, without reference materials or models.

This painting is a reworked painting for the 2003 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of November.
Although the paintings are visually similar, Boris used a different model for the calendar painting.

A digitally altered painting by Boris for inclusion in the 2003 Fantasy Calendar published by Workman.

This painting is an illustration for the 2004 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of May.
Fatal Damage
Yet it was again the fair folk who uncovered the one desperate solution. The only way to heal the deeply wounded Terark would be to send someone into the planet's flame-filled depths to repair the damage.

This drawing featured on page 112 of Boris and Julies book Sketchbook

An alternative version of the painting 'Venus Clothed in Flowers'. This has the the figure clothed to make it more suitable for it's appearance in the 2019 Fantasy Calendar.. Posted on Instagram OCTOBER 12, 2017.

Done as a private commission the client requested a barbarian woman fight scene.

This drawing was done whilst Boris and Julie were chatting with fellow artists at the World Fantasy Convention in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Covert art for Heavy Metal Magazine September 1994 edition. This painting came about when Stacy Walker, one of the models in the painting revealed a dream she had where two barbarian women journey into the wild in search of food. Oil and Acrylic 15 x 20 inches.

A detail illustration which was part of an experiment to paint the figure and background seperately, then combine them digitally. Boris and Julie both agreed that although the experience was enjoyable, the traditional way was easier!

Boris never gives up does he? Once again Female Wrestlers joust in the ring to celebrate the 15th Heavy Metal anniversary.

This preliminary drawing appears in Boris's book Fantasy Art Techniques where he demonstrates the steps taken to complete his paintings. This particular painting has been used several times to celebrate several Heavy Metal Magazine) anniversaries.

A magazine cover done to celebrate Heavy Metal Magazine's 8th anniversary in 1984, there are many versions of this painting celebrating various anniversaries.

February 1971 issue 2 Nightmare Magazine, Skywald.

Julie did this one in my spare time, and had some fun with the jewelry.

This painting was commissioned for a kickstarter project Wits & Wagers Epic Geek board game which was eventually cancelled. The illustration would have appeared on the back of the game board. It eventally appeared in the 2017 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of December. It was also an illustration for a board game.

This was Boris' idea for the cover of his art book. (probably The Fantastic Art of Boris Vallejo), but Ballantine decided against it.

Published by Tower Oct. 1966. Boris first published work other than advertising. Boris was paid $200 for 12 comic pages which he pencilled, inked and lettered. The money was used to bring his sister to the USA.

This painting is an illustration for the 2016 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of August.
FIGHTING BACK
As the war between man and beast rages within me, I feel myself slipping downward as I battle for my new tribe.

This unclothed version was painted for an exhibition, but a more appropriate version was later included as Spiritual Seer month of August in the 2019 Fantasy Calendar.

Boris is more than happy to sign autographs or draw a quick doodle for his avid fans.

This painting is an illustration for the 2000 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of March.
The Dreadnought: Merkun's Tale
All steel and claws?a malevolent creature with a metal heart and a soul carved from lightning?the dreadnought destroyed everything in its path. King Tobir vowed its hollow life would cease, even if it meant he himself would perish.

This painting is an illustration for the 2015 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of February.
A variation of the painting done for Nike.

Cover art for the book Final Frontier a novel in the Star Trek series by Diane Carey, published by Timescape Pocket Books/Science Fiction 1988.

This painting formed the dust jacket for the hardbound edition of The Final Planet by Andrew M Greeley. Published by Warner Books .

Cover art for the book The Final Reflection a novel in the Star Trek series by John M. Ford, published by Timescape Pocket Books/Science Fiction May 1984. Pocket TOS Novel #16.

An illustration for Sketchbook.

An illustration for Sketchbook.

This painting is an illustration for the 2009 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of August.
REVERSAL
As her control over Suriar weakened, the stallion did his best to throw her from his back. He had been forced into horrible deeds, and he would tolerate no more-even if defiance meant death!

A new painting posted on Julies Instagram page 14th May 2024. 18x24 inches, oil on panel.

Cover art for the video game Super Valis IV, developed by Telenet Japan. for the Nintendo SNES 1992.

This painting illustrates the story Flight, for the book Enchantment, for which Boris created the original artwork, whilst Doris (his first wife) wrote the stories.

Cover art for the book Firebird by Mercedes Lackey. Published by St. Martins Press January 2008.

Painting created for SkyBox Master Series?. Creator's Edition Trading Cards. 1995. Another totally wild painting for which Boris Vallejo was the model. Oil and Acrylic Size: 11 x 15 inches (28 x 38 cm)

Cover art for the book Firedance (Ashlu Cycle, #2) by Scott Baker, book one in the Series series. Published by Tor Books 1986.

This painting is an illustration for the 2016 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of January.
FIRETHORN
The Firethorn is dangerous and unpredictable but I have no other choice. It is either him or me.

Cover art for the book The First Adventure a novel in the Star Trek series by Vonda M McIntyre, published by Pocket Books/Science Fiction.

Julie Bell posted this 8 x 10 inch image done in graphite on illustration board to her instagram page on 23rd September 2022. Julie says... 'I was th about those iguanas that live on the Galapagos Islands that have to run for their lives the first second that they hatch from their egg.'

An illustration for Mirage, for which Boris created many original pieces for the book, the text was done by his first wife Doris.

Cover art for the book The First Mother's Fire by W L Hoffman, published by Dog Ear Publishing 2007. The first book in the Soulstealer War series.

This piece was painted while Julie was preparing for her first book. She was encouraged by her publisher to complete more metal-flesh paintings. This one expresses the sentiment that first experiences are unique. Oil and Acrylic 15 x 20 inches.

An original illustration for Julie Bell's art book Soft As Steel

Trading Card Fleer Publishing Company 1996
Genesis (Tyler Dayspring) is a mutant and foe of Cable and Wolverine. ... Some sources state that he is actually Cable's son, while others state that he is Cable's 'nephew' since his father was Stryfe.

Also titled Mysterious Rider and appears on the cover of Boris 2. The painting was used as a poster to advertise the re-opening of the largest bath house in the country, (6 St. Marks Place - 8th St. and 3rd Ave), which re-opened in 1979, but was closed down due to the AIDS epidemic in 1985. Size 21 x 31 inches

This illustration was designed to adorn a T-Shirt for a body-building contest. Most of the drawing was done by Boris, on this occasion Julie was ill with Lyme disease, her contribution was to draw the circle.

This was drawn for a bodybuilding and fitness contest in Florida, and used on the promotional posters and t-shirts. Julie and Boris have many ties to the competitive fitness world. Julie competed in and won numerous contests in the eighties, and she and Boris have both acted as judges.

Trading Card Fleer Publishing Company 1996.
Fitzroy comes from the alternate future in which the X-Men are destroyed. A former Sentinel commander, he is now White Rock in the Hellfire club. Oil and Acrylic 11 x 15 inches.

One of the paintings for Tarot, a project Julie began with The Emperor in 2001, Boris added his painting Death to the project, even with Julies sons David and Anthony Palumbo helping out progress was slow. The Vallejo/Palumbo team finally gained the impetus to complete the project when beginning in November 2007 Heavy Metal Magazine featured four Tarot paintings per issue over the next twenty-two issues, ending in May 2011.

Trading Card Fleer Publishing Company 1996
The great thing about Spider-Man is that he is one of the few comic superheroes who is also often, unintentionally, a clown. He often slips up and it is his than many other characters. We can all relate to him.

This painting is an illustration for the 2012 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of April.
PLAYS WITH FIRE
If a lady never risks getting burned, she does not truly live.

This painting is an illustration for the 2005 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of February.
Fantasy Flight:
Her future was limited only by her imagination. Basrina was giddy from the myriad choices before her... She could have dominion over the sea realm or the vast skies.

Art for the article Sweet Chastity in the comic/magazine Penthouse Comix issue Special 25th issue published by Penthouse September 1997.
Boris says 'I had fun concentrating on the figure without having to worry about a background. The pin-up artists of the 50's influenced me a bit here.'

This drawing featured in Boris and Julies book Sketchbook

This drawing featured in Boris and Julies book Sketchbook

With this composition Julie was experimenting with combining different areas of her work--classical figurative, animals, and fantasy. The painting measures 24 x 18 inches, oil on linen.

coloured pencil on paper 20.3 ? 20.3 cm

This flamingo painting by Julie in June 2016 is 36 x 36 inches, and was displayed at the Rehs Gallery in NYC, and awarded Finalist/Imaginative Realism at the 12th Annual Art Renewal Center's International Salon 2016. Oil on board: 36 x 36 inches

Exhibited as part of the Master's Show at Palm Avenue Fine Art Gallery in Sarasota february 2014.

Julie posted `Testing some new liner brushes for watercolour yesterday and suddenly, there were flamingos!`

There are several superheroes named Flash that appear in DC Comics. Flash first appeared in Flash Comics #1 1940, all incarnations of the Flash possess superhuman reflexes able to to run, move, and think extremely fast.

Card 8/18 of the JLA/Avengers Trading Card set. Nine of the cards combine to form a single painting by Boris Vallejo, the other nine combine to form a Jule Bell painting.

A book cover for the fourth in series of graphic novels featuring The Amazing Adventures of FLASH GORDON, published by Ace Tempo.

An illustration for Mirage, for which Boris created many original pieces for the book, the text was done by his first wife Doris.
Centaurs are half-human, half-horse creatures in Greek mythology. They have the body of a horse and the torso, head and arms of a man.

An illustration for Mirage, for which Boris created many original pieces for the book, the text was done by his first wife Doris.

Cover art for the book Flight of the Golden Harpy by Susan Klaus. Published by Tor Books June 2014.

Cover art for the novel The Flight of the Horse by Larry Niven, published by Ballantine/Science Fiction Dec 1976. Oil painting on illustration board 16 x 26 inches.

Pegasus was a winged horse that sprang from the blood of the Gorgon Medusa as she was beheaded by the hero Perseus.
Bellerophon attempted to fly with Pegasus to heaven but was unseated and killed.
The winged horse became a constellation and the servant of Zeus.

At the suggestion of Scott Usher at Greenwich Workshop, Julie decided to try out painting some horses. She has won many awards in this category since making that decision.

This painting is an illustration for the 2020 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of July.
ENCHANTED FLIGHT
The warmth of the golden sun lights my path; majestic creatures give me strength to succeed. Oil on panel 76.2 ? 76.2 cm

This painting is an illustration for the 1995 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of August.
The Isihath are born from the union of an Isihath, a nest-flower, and a many legged, stone-skinned being. Out of this anima-vegetable-mineral explosion issue three female babies who are reared in the narrow home until they mature.

This painting is an illustration for the 2005 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of November.
The Ultimate Decision
She perceived two figures, each an idealised version of herself as a god. One of shadow, one of light-mirror, images, both supple and beautiful, powerful and intelligent, but one dark and dangerous, the other kind and generous.

The center-peice for the 2016 Fantasy Calendar.

An experiment suggested by a publisher in view of the popularity of computer-enhanced imagery. The main photographs came from Julie's private collection. In the event she really liked the effect so may try her hand at it again, but she cannot really see herself abandoning paint for this medium. Ironically the overall effect she was told to aim for was that of a painting, but as it took almost as long, she was left wondering why.

This painting is an illustration for the 2021 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of July.
FLOWING FRIENDSHIP
A brief bask in the sun before we return to our shared home in the sea.

Front cover art for the book The Flying Sorcerer by David Gerrold and Larry Niven, published by Ballantine/Science Fiction 1976. Oil painting on illustration board 16 x 26 inches. There is a second painting on the back cover with same title

Back cover art for the book The Flying Sorcerer by David Gerrold and Larry Niven, published by Ballantine/Science Fiction 1976. Oil painting on illustration board 16 x 26 inches. There is a second painting on the front cover with same title

One of the paintings for Tarot, a project Julie began with The Emperor in 2001, Boris added his painting Death to the project, even with Julies sons David and Anthony Palumbo helping out progress was slow. The Vallejo/Palumbo team finally gained the impetus to complete the project when beginning in November 2007 Heavy Metal Magazine featured four Tarot paintings per issue over the next twenty-two issues, ending in May 2011.

Commissioned by Playboy, this Illustration bearing the caption 'The Raiders' appeared across a two page spread in the August 1984 Pro Football preview edition. Apparently text was added to the upper left corner at the behest of Hugh Hefner who for a time hung it in the Playboy mansion. Oil on board 24 x 30 inches (61 x 77 cm).

A book cover for David Hagberg's book FLASH GORDON BOOK FOUR: Forces From The Federation This is one of series of covers done by Boris for the Flash Gordon by series of books published by Ace Tempo Novel Series.

A preliminary drawing that became the book cover for FLASH GORDON BOOK FOUR: Forces From The Federation This is one of series of covers done by Boris for the Flash Gordon series of books published by Ace Tempo Novel Series

Corporate and Advertising art for Ford Motor Company. The EvilTwin advertising campaign featured the SportKa model. There is an alternative version of the painting without the car.

This piece, (not an advertisement for the Ford Taurus as you might think), was commissioned for Consumer Reports magazine, a non-profit subscription based organization that publishes impartial reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services.

This painting is from the book Star-Wars Art: Visions published by Abrams Books 2010. According to Star-Wars fiction Rancors were large semi-sentient reptilian carnivores standing around five meters tall, they were formidable predators.

This painting is an illustration for the 2012 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of December.
A HIGHER REALM
Come now, the time to rest is over. We can return home once we vanquish the gorgons' kingdom!

Painted for the very popular book 'Mirage' for which Boris created several original paintings, the text was done by his first wife Doris.

Trading Card Fleer Publishing Company 1996.
The setting for this pieces was inspired by a scene in the movie Bladerunner. Oil and Acrylic 11 x 15 inches.

Cover art for the book Forsake the Sky by Tim Powers, book one in the Series series. Published by Tor Books/Science Fiction 1985. The Model was Boris' son Dorian Vallejo an accomplished artist in his own right.

This painting is an illustration for the 2013 Fantasy Calendar, and appears on the cover and for the month of May.
Boris says 'my approach to paintings that involve humans and machines is to have them match against each other. I usually portray the humans prevailing against the machines, but occasionally the machine is the winner'.

This painting is an illustration for the 2016 Fantasy Calendar, and appears for the month of March. Boris was photographed as he worked on this painting during the Art Out Loud Exhibition held on 27th September 2011. Because of this I have verified the date in 'Green'.
THE OFFERING
We all have something to sacrifice, but nothing can change the Dragon's mind she and Fate made their decision long ago.

One of a set of four proposed sculptures. In 2002 Boris and Julie set out to produce their own series of sculptures, but it has yet to come to fruition. At this point, only a prototype of Fire exists. The project was put on hold indefinitely when the manifold complexities of manufacturing, marketing, and distributing the sculptures started to overwhelm the two artists.

One of a set of four proposed sculptures. In 2002 Boris and Julie set out to produce their own series of sculptures, but it has yet to come to fruition. At this point, only a prototype of Fire exists. The project was put on hold indefinitely when the manifold complexities of manufacturing, marketing, and distributing the sculptures started to overwhelm the two artists.

One of a set of four proposed sculptures. In 2002 Boris and Julie set out to produce their own series of sculptures, but it has yet to come to fruition. At this point, only a prototype of Fire exists. The project was put on hold indefinitely when the manifold complexities of manufacturing, marketing, and distributing the sculptures started to overwhelm the two artists.

One of a set of four proposed sculptures. In 2002 Boris and Julie set out to produce their own series of sculptures, but it has yet to come to fruition. At this point, only a prototype of Fire exists. The project was put on hold indefinitely when the manifold complexities of manufacturing, marketing, and distributing the sculptures started to overwhelm the two artists.

This painting was a commission for a poster published in The Netherlands by Verkerke. Boris has done sever paintings for this publisher.

One of the paintings for Tarot, a project Julie began with The Emperor in 2001, Boris added his painting Death to the project, even with Julies sons David and Anthony Palumbo helping out progress was slow. The Vallejo/Palumbo team finally gained the impetus to complete the project when beginning in November 2007 Heavy Metal Magazine featured four Tarot paintings per issue over the next twenty-two issues, ending in May 2011.

One of the paintings for Tarot, a project Julie began with The Emperor in 2001, Boris added his painting Death to the project, even with Julies sons David and Anthony Palumbo helping out progress was slow. The Vallejo/Palumbo team finally gained the impetus to complete the project when beginning in November 2007 Heavy Metal Magazine featured four Tarot paintings per issue over the next twenty-two issues, ending in May 2011.

Cover art for the book The Four Wishes by Charlotte Stone, book one in the Cheon of Weltanland series. Published by Daw Books/Science Fiction.

Cover art for the book The Four Wishes by Charlotte Stone, book one in the Cheon of Weltanland series. Published by Daw Books/Science Fiction.

Cover art for the book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Published by Tor Books 1994. The model for this painting was Dorian Vallejo, Boris wanted portray the main the figure as a victim of mans vanity rather than a monster.

August 1973 Issue #1 Tales Of The Zombie, Marvel.

June 1974 Issue #6 Monsters Unleashed, Marvel