July 2008

31 July 2008 | ZEPPELINS OVER LONDON | Comment

This impressive concept art of zeppelins hovering over Tower Bridge at night was created by Seeto Studio for the video game, Turning Point: Fall of Liberty and has been added to our STEAMPUNK Galleries.

Though Turning Point is set in New York City, England plays a significant role in its alternate history, for the game has Winston Churchill killed in 1931. Without his leadership, Britain falls to the Third Reich in 1940 through a successful “Operation Sealion.”

30 July 2008 | WOMAN IN THE MOON | Comment

Added to the Galleries of our DIESELPUNK section is this remake of the poster for Fritz Lang’s 1929 silent science fiction film, Frau im Mond (“Woman in the Moon”).

Frau im Mond was based upon the novel of the same name by Lang’s wife, Thea von Harbou. Although the film presented to a mass audience for the first time the basics of rocket travel, with special effects innovative for their time, it was no financial success, largely due to the public’s move away from silent film by 1929.

28 July 2008 | GIVE ’EM WAR | Comment

This rather eerie digital painting was produced for the cover of the latest album of the Spanish metal band, “Angelus Apatrida,” entitled, Give ’em War. The artwork is inspired by one of the songs on the album which is about a factory where scientists engineer monstrous warbeasts.

A Mr Andreas Rocha from Portugal created this depiction, back in 2007. He maintains an extended gallery of his extraordinary artwork at a Website which we definitely recommend you visit!

27 July 2008 | ADVERTISEMENTS | Comment

Two new images have been added to our collection of Colonies on display in the COLONIAL CHAMBER.

The first is an old advertisement for Imperial Airways, depicting the pyramids of Giza; the other is this lovely cover artwork for the album, La Musique Sovietique. Produced in the Soviet Union of 1969, the music on this album was supposed to motivate and elicit tourists with soft and sunny tunes. The Kremlin thought otherwise, however, and the compilation never saw the light of day.

26 July 2008 | TYLER WEST’S ZEPPELIN | Comment

We already feature one of the outstanding artworks of Mr Tyler West; as header of our COLONIAL CHAMBER. This particular painting of his, which seems to depict an unusual mixture between airplane and airship, has been added to the Galleries of our STEAMPUNK section.

Mr West maintains a portfolio of his work at a Website which we strongly recommend you visit, for his further work is equally impressive—including more depiction of airships!

25 July 2008 | RSS FEED | Comment

Inspired by an inquiry from a Mr Erdinç Oguzkent, we have made RSS feed available for The Gatehouse; either follow the link in the bottom menu, or click here.

Those unfamiliar with RSS and perhaps slightly averse to things “Internet 2.0” such as yours truly, we recommend to use it nonetheless—not only for The Gatehouse, of course, but to keep up with all the blogs and websites that you enjoy! There are many RSS readers (or “aggregators”) out there; we recommend Google Reader and Bloglines.

25 July 2008 | FINAL LAP | Comment

This lovely depiction of some early-century car race, entitled “Final Lap,” was created by fantasy artist, Mr Timothy Lantz. Mr Lantz maintains an excellent portfolio of his artwork at the website, Stygian Darkness.

His painting reminded us of a short story Mr Steiner recently posted over at the SMOKING LOUNGE about the attempt of one Sir George to break the land-speed record in the desert of Nevada in 1930. We recommend that you read it, in this Thread.

24 July 2008 | LOST DISTRICT | Comment

We featured one of Mr Flavio Bolla’s artworks a few months ago, in March this year to be precise, and here is yet another fine depiction by this Swiss artist who goes by the handle of “Ginji” online.

This “Lost District,” apparently inspired by the video game, Assassin’s Creed, may well depict the darker side of industrial progress otherwise so gloriously portrayed in steampunk. Visit Mr Bolla’s Website to view more of his artwork!

23 July 2008 | EMMANUEL SHIU’S ROBOT | Comment

Mr Emmanuel Shiu is a San Francisco-based conceptual artist and matte painter, originally hailing from Hong Kong, China. His professional work includes films like Hellboy and Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow—though his contributions to the latter were modest.

There is some impressive concept art for Hellboy, among other films, on display at his Website, and in this particular depiction one can perhaps see some Sky Captain influence after all?

22 July 2008 | THE GODFATHER CONCEPT ART | Comment

We feature an artwork by Mr Chris Petrocchi, as header of our SMOKING LOUNGE. Today, we show another of his creations: a concept art for Electronic Arts’ 2006 video game, The Godfather, based upon Francis Ford Coppola’s renowned films.

Depicting a deserted part of Chinatown in a Depression-struck New York City, we think this depiction an excellent dieselpunk setting! Visit Mr Petrocchi’s Website for his full portfolio.

21 July 2008 | HERE COMES THE RAIN AGAIN | Comment

It always makes for a pleasant experience to revisit the portfolio of an artist one is already familiar with, to find new artworks on display and old ones still quite beautiful. The Website of Mr Thomas E. Pringle, of whom we feature a digital painting in the Galleries of our DIESELPUNK section, is certainly no exception in this regard!

This particular depiction, entitled “Here Comes the Rain Again,” might be more cyber- than steampunk but it makes for an excellent artwork still!

20 July 2008 | STEAMPUNK LADY | Comment

Here is one fine-looking steampunk lady; fine-looking, at least, when one turns a blind eye on her right arm, which seems to have been replaced entirely with some gargantuan brass-colored machine presumably designed for some very unlady-like business!

A Mr Justin Sweet created this drawing; unmistakably steampunk, for the lady is wearing goggles—actually, a monogoggle, but still. Visit Mr Sweet’s Website to contemplate more of his work.

19 July 2008 | STREET CLEANING MACHINE | Comment

Those who remember the steam-powered street cleaner from the first volume of Alan Moore’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen might delight in this painting by a Mr Jaime Jones from the United States which seems to depict a similar machine, astonishing the gathered crowd around it.

Mr Jones maintains a website called Artpad where much more of his work is on display; plenty of which the steampunk enthusiast ought to approve!

18 July 2008 | JON FOSTER’S ROBOT | Comment

In spite of his size and perhaps slightly menacing posture, the little girl in this painting seems not at all afraid of the automaton besides her. Perhaps he is indeed watching over her, for considering the huge train in the background, this seems like no place for a little girl!

A Mr Jon Foster from the United States made this fine artwork. At his Website, he maintains a portfolio of his further work, though unfortunately this depiction seems his only steampunk-themed creation.

17 July 2008 | MAXIMILIAN RAT | Comment

We are not entirely sure whether this can pass as steampunk, yet it is entertaining indeed, so here goes:

Mr Jeff de Boer is an artist from the Dominion of Canada whose work includes the making of rat armor! The creation on display here is thus described as belonging to a “15th century Maximilian Rat.” We thank Herr Döktor for bringing this to our attention in this thread at The Steampunk Forum. As one of the respondents there noted, how fabulous indeed would one’s rats look in armor!

16 July 2008 | THE DARK KNIGHT | Comment

“The Dark Knight” returns to the silver screen with Christopher Nolan’s sequel to Batman Begins. For The Dark Knight, Christian Bale reprises his role as Batman, featuring alongside the late Heath Ledger as The Joker. The film will also introduce Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent and presumably depict his transformation into Two-Face.

Today, the film will be released in Australia; two days from now, it will premiere in American theatres while the film is scheduled for release in the United Kingdom on 25 July.

15 July 2008 | TWO FLAVORS OF DIESELPUNK | Comment

The latest Article in our DIESELPUNK section explores the two categories of dieselpunk as proposed over at the dieselpunk blog, The Flying Fortress; they being the optimistic “Ottensian” in the vain of Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow and the dystopian “Piecraftian” exemplified by the Philip Dick’s novel, The Man in the High Castle, as well as the Mad Max films.

Please share your own insights in this Discussion over at our SMOKING LOUNGE.

15 July 2008 | DUSSO’S DYSTOPIA | Comment

We already feature an excellent artwork by Mr Yanick Dusseault in the Galleries of our DIESELPUNK section; this cityscape, which seems somewhat reminiscent of Gotham City from Batman, is of equally fine quality and has thus been added to our collection of dystopia on display there also.

Mr Dusseault, who worked as matte painters on such films as Pirates of the Caribbean and Star Wars, maintains a portfolio of his work at the website, Dusso.

14 July 2008 | THE CONSERVATORY | Comment

Professor Delphinius “J.C.” Tucker, who already regularly posts steampunk and related news over at THE ATHENAEUM, has now opened his very own website also, entitled The Conservatory.

At The Conservatory, the Professor shall enlighten and entertain the reader with topics about steampunk and the macabre, including artwork, essays, and fiction! Visit The Conservatory today and have your opinions about it heard in its forum at the SMOKING LOUNGE.

13 July 2008 | ESCAPE FROM NEON CITY | Comment

This artwork was created by a Mr Marek from Poland as cover illustration for Eugeniusz Debski’s 2008 science fiction novel, Tamta strona swiata—evidently a Blade Runner-inspired story, judging from the cyberpunk look of Mr Marek’s painting.

Mr Marek, who goes by the handle of “OmeN2501,” maintains an extended portfolio of his impressive artwork in a Profile; including further cover art commissions as well as several visions of a post-apocalyptic world!

12 July 2008 | UNDERSEA UTOPIA | Comment

This entry in Conceptart.org’s Undersea Utopia challenge was submitted by an artist who goes by the name of “Gaius” at said community. His underwater metropolis seems partly in decay, with the inhabited “Lattice City” sheltered underneath a huge dome. Several interior views of this remote and rather desolate city under the seas were posted in this Thread.

We also wish to refer to the Profile of “Gaius” so that the visitor may find more of his artwork.

11 July 2008 | GOLDEN AGE OF ADVERTISING | Comment

The people over at Plan59 maintain a fine collection of mid-century American advertisements available for online viewing. Their galleries include printed commercials for cars and travel and home appliances from the 1950s mostly. A selection of these depictions, some of which might nowadays be considered “retro-futurism,&rdquo has been reproduced at the SMOKING LOUNGE.

This particular artwork, reminiscent of some 1950s film noir, was drawn by a young Mr Robert T. McCall.

10 July 2008 | TESLA DAYS | Comment

In honor of Nikola Tesla’s birthday, which we commemorate on the 10th of this month, a Mr Renfield from the United Kingdom proposes that we steampunk enthusiasts henceforth celebrate the weekends prior to and immediately upon this day as “Tesla Days.”

The purpose of “Tesla Days,” besides of course adding another holiday to the steampunk calender, is to dress up in your finest attire and thwart whatever mayhem supporters of that ghastly Thomas Edison might have plotted!

9 July 2008 | KARAKURI | Comment

We quite apologize for featuring so little “Victoriental” art lately. Fortunately Mr Keith Thompson cares more for this lovely sub-genre of steampunk than most of his colleagues, exhibiting this creation at his Website.

Mechanized karakuri puppets were introduced in Japan in the 1800s to serve tea and entertain guests. Mr Thompson’s artwork here depicts what might have been, had Japanese technology at the time been more sophisticated: a life-sized karakuri automaton, of most charming design!

8 July 2008 | THE ART OF JOHN MALCOLM | Comment

Mr John Malcolm, of whom we have featured work twice before, in March this year to be precise, has now opened his very own Website where his full portfolio may be appreciated!

Mr Malcolm hails from Scotland and shares from there with us steampunk enthusiasts his photo-manipulations and digital art. One of his latest creations is this charming little “Steam Bot,” judging from his gear, devised for rather unpeaceful purposes!

7 July 2008 | STEAMPUNK THUMBELINA | Comment

If there is one fairytale that lends itself perfectly to be reimagined in a more fantasy-like steampunk style, it must be Hans Christian Andersen’s Thumbelina; the story of a tiny little girl who emerges from a flower to eventually marry a fairy prince for whom she grows wings to accompany him on his travels from flower to flower.

This lovely depiction of Thumbelina wearing goggles upon a mechanical sparrow was drawn by an artist from the United States who goes by the name of “Hakubaikou.”

6 July 2008 | UNDERSEA UTOPIA | Comment

This entry in Conceptart.org’s Undersea Utopia challenge was submitted by concept artist, Mr Sean Donaldson who currently persues an education in computer games art and maintains a fine portfolio of his work at a Website.

This particular artwork of his depicts one of the inhabitations of his undersea utopia, some strange amalgamate between lobster and man, rather reminiscent of the centaur from Greek mythology; a race of creatures composed of part human and part horse.

5 July 2008 | PLANTAGE | Comment

This artwork may not be perfectly steampunk, but we considered that it might be of interest to steampunk enthusiasts nonetheless, for it certainly interested us!

“Plantage” is a whimsical place between two worlds, envisioned like a huge tree upon which small houses have been constructed wherein its inhabitations dwell. A Miss Sylwia Skubis from Poland created this depiction and maintains more of her work on display at both a Website as well as a Profile.

4 July 2008 | SIBAD OF THE SEVEN SKIES | Comment

Sinbad the Sailor is a story-cycle of ancient Middle Eastern origin, chronicling the fantastic adventures of a sailor named Sinbad who roams the waters of the Indian Ocean. The stories themselves are based partly on the experiences of real seamen, as well as upon ancient poetry such as Homer’s Odyssey.

Reimaging this ancient tale is a Mr Jon from the United Kingdom, who goes by the handle of “Knightwatch,” depicting Sinbad as an Arab zeppelin venturer!

3 July 2008 | DIESELPUNK FASHION | Comment

Over at The Fedora Lounge, a Mr Rittmeister posted a wonderful collection of advertisements from the 1930s French man’s fashion magazine, Adam. These depictions of fine suits and gentlemen’s attire make for the perfect visualization of dieselpunk fashion sensibilities, reminiscent of times when no gentleman ventured outdoors without cane and proper headwear!

We have reproduced and augmented Mr Rittmeister’s collection at the SMOKING LOUNGE.

2 July 2008 | GATEHOUSE GAZETTE | Comment

“The new steampunk & dieselpunk magazine” is here with the release of the first issue of the Gatehouse Gazette.

In this first issue, the reader with find an introduction to the genre of dieselpunk by Piecraft and Ottens, an interview with Toby Frost, author of Space Captain Smith, steampunk fashion and couture by Hilde Heyvaert, a review of the latest Indiana Jones film by Jack Rose, steampunk poetry, essays, cartoons—and more! Click here or on the thumbnail to download this first issue!

1 July 2008 | STEAMLADDIN | Comment

That the story of Aladdin lends itself perfectly to be steampunk’ed proofs Mr Niklas Tarpila from Finland with this whimsical depiction. With Aladdin himself obviously wearing goggles, Mr Tarpila augmented the wonderful oil lamp with gears and clockwork while the genie with appears from out of it is of course a brass automaton!

Mr Tarpila maintains a Profile where more of his artwork may be appreciated, some of which should certainly be of interest to the steampunk enthusiast!