30 March 2008 | STEAMPUNK CONTEST | Comment
“Steampunk” was chosen as theme for the latest photoshopping contest over at the Worth1000 Community, compelling participating artists to “invent the futuristic technology of yesterday.”
I thank Mr John Malcolm, of whom we featured an artwork before, for bringing this contest to our attention. It is thus his entry featured here: a depiction of a steampunk gentleman, armed with “Yeti cannon.” Head over to the Contest to contemplate all entries!
29 March 2008 | STEAMPUNK FLIGHT | Comment
Behold a fine Victorian gentlewoman, sipping a glass of sherry or port in the afternoon breeze, quietly observing the grace of another dirigible slowly steering by...
This wonderfully imaginative illustration was created by one Mr Scott “Zimfin” Findlay from the United Kingdom, who maintains a further selection of his work at his Profile. Unfortunately, there is little more art on display that could be labeled steampunk, but an inspection of Mr Findlay’s portfolio is certainly worthy of your time nonetheless!
28 March 2008 | DIRK VALENTINE | Comment
“The year is 1897. Europe has been ravaged by Baron Battenberg’s Steam powered war machines. Led by Great Britain, a handful of defiant countries remain free of the Baron’s tyrannic rule. But time is running out for them as his forces grow stronger every day...”
Thus the Empire calls upon Dirk Valentine to strike at the heart of the Baron’s empire: The Fortress of Steam! Defeat the Evil Baron in this delightful little Flash Game by “Nitrome.” Thanks to Mr Kiskolou for his wonderful find!
27 March 2008 | PRINCESS, REVOLUTIONARY | Comment
Every steampunk enthusiast should be familiar with the artist of this delightful depiction of a nineteenth-century lady of royal birth, for Mr Eric Poulton is the famed initiator of the “Steampunk Star Wars”-monomania; no longer particularly in vogue, but quite popular a while ago.
Mr Poulton’s work is thus on display in our WAR ROOM, under Star Wars, whilst this fine illustration has been added to our collection of Adventurers in the COLONIAL CHAMBER.
26 March 2008 | AIRSHIP UNDER SIEGE | Comment
This airship was designed for a role-playing game based upon H. P. Lovecraft’s The Call of Cthulhu, featuring a scenario set onboard a dirigible apparently under siege by creatures from another world.
The artist, Mr Marc Simonetti from France, maintains an elaborate portfolio of his work at his Website. Another of his illustrations, of a nineteenth-century steamer ship navigating some African stream, has been added to our COLONIAL CHAMBER.
25 March 2008 | BUDDHIST TEMPLE ON MARS | Comment
We reported on the latest “Environment of the Week” competition at the Conceptart.org Forums last week, which challenges the participants to devise a Buddhist Temple on Mars. See the Thread in question to view all submissions.
The entry depicted here, submitted by one Mr “Maks444,” has been added to the Victoriental section in our COLONIAL CHAMBER, in spite of the structure being supposedly situated upon the Red Planet. See Maks444’s Profile to find more of his work!
24 March 2008 | VICTORIENTAL STEAMPUNK | Comment
We refered to Mr Greg Broadmore’s Profile at The Battery before about his “Dinosaur Hunter” which was added to the collection of Adventurers in our COLONIAL CHAMBER.
Now added to the same chamber is a section with depictions of Victoriental—or, when refering to Japanese artwork specifically, Shogun—Steampunk, featuring a further selection of Mr Broadmore’s work, particularly his enthralling depictions of Japanese Samurai on the battlefields of the Great War.
23 March 2008 | NECROPATHIC SPECTEGRAPH | Comment
This device, a Necropathic Spectregraph, according to its maker, allows “amateurs and professionals alike to carry out complex interaction with the deceased, by influencing and stimulating electro magnetic current.”
It may strike the ignorant reader as bordering the absurd, but those familiar with the work of said creator know better. For Mr Alex CF has devised contraptions of much more disturbing yet equally wonderful quality—all on display at his exquisite Website.
22 March 2008 | LONDON ROOFTOPS | Comment
Raphael Lacoste is a Paris-born photographer, concept artist and production designer currently residing in Canada (where some of the incorrigible citizens still refuse persistently to speak the true lingua franca) from where he shares a wonderful portfolio of matte paintings and conceptual artworks via his Website.
Some of Mr Lacoste’s work is already on display in our TECHNOLOGY GALLERY; this somber depiction of the London skyline has been added to the COLONIAL CHAMBER.
21 March 2008 | SHERCLOCK HOLMES | Comment
Mr Marcus Truckel from the United Kingdom is a self-taught artist working in a variety of styles and formats from tradition media to digital art. Of the latter, a most imaginative example of his skill is depicted here: Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in most peculiar steampunk (or perhaps “clockpunk”) appearance!
Mr Truckel maintains a website at Mad Hamster Studios which features a portfolio of his work. This particular portrait has been added to our COLONIAL CHAMBER.
20 March 2008 | ARCHER’S CREATIONS | Comment
The brilliantly steampunk’ed Darth Vader—or “Steam Vader,” according to the preference of its creator—mask depicted here was devised by Mr Archer over at the SMOKING LOUNGE where he shared this and much more of his wonderful creations; ranging from steampunk pistols and retro-futuristic rayguns to goggles, masks, and such novel contraptions as a brass guitar!
Head over to this Thread to contemplate the many products of Mr Archer’s talent and praise him on his efforts!
19 March 2008 | MAD SCIENTIST | Comment
The latest addition to our COLONIAL CHAMBER is this portrait of a nineteenth-century “Mad Scientist” who, judging from his rather suspicious gaze, is not merely performing an autopsy but may be attempting to bring to life a modern Prometheus in the vein of Dr. Frankenstein!
This painting was done by one Mr Jacques Lamontagne from Canada, who maintains a Profile under the name “Frankenboris” to which unfortunately no recent work has been added since 2004.
18 March 2008 | OLD NOSFERATU | Comment
This depiction of an old nosferatu (Romanian for “vampire” according to Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula) wandering the streets of Victorian London was created by one Mr Flavio Bolla from Switzerland and seems very reminiscent indeed of paintings of Mr Hyde roaming those same dark Whitechapel alleyways.
Mr Bolla, who goes by the name of “Ginji” online, maintains a Website in German with a collection of his work as well as a Profile featuring further drawings.
17 March 2008 | CHILD OF THE SKIES | Comment
This Enfant des Airs flights lonely amongst the clouds amidst rather depressing weathers, en route in his elaborate balloon to realms unknown. Quite like further work of the artist, Mr Aurélien Police from France, the painting conveys to the perceiver a sense of tranquil timelessness amidst turbulent storms.
Mr Police also goes by the name of Sigu and provides a portfolio of his work at his Website—much of which should certainly be of interest to the steampunk enthusiast!
15 March 2008 | AERIAL WARFARE | Comment
This enthralling vision of alternate aerial warfare during World War I depicts H.M.A.S. Agamemnon of the United Kingdom engaged in fierce struggle with the Kaiser's Arminius, named after the Germanic hero who defeated the Roman army at the Teutoburg Forest. Unfortunately for the Germans, this Arminius appears rather less succesful in obliterating their adversaries.
Mr John Malcolm’s spectacular artwork has been added to our TECHNOLOGY GALLERY.
14 March 2008 | FURRY VICTORIAN | Comment
Here is a curious depiction of a Victorian gentleman; that is, not quite a gentleman, but a feline creature rather of remarkably human proportions and appearance, posing for our artist in full nineteenth-century adventurer’s attire, including bowler hat and elephant gun.
Mr Stuart Thomas from New Zealand created this peculiar portrait and has more similar artwork on display in his Profile, which, perhaps, also those not particularly enthusiastic about fur might appreciate?
13 March 2008 | BUDDHIST TEMPLE ON MARS | Comment
The latest “Environment of the Week” competition at the Conceptart.org Forums challenges the participants to devise a most novel concept: a Buddhist Temple on Mars. Not strictly steampunk, but amusing nonetheless! Head over to the Thread in question to view all submissions.
The entry depicted here—a temple upon the Red Planet confined within a transparent bubble—was submitted by one Shardana, who has much more works on display in her Profile at The Computer Graphics Society.
12 March 2008 | DINOSAUR HUNTER | Comment
This undoubtedly British dinosaur hunter was drawn by the talented Mr Greg Broadmore, artist for “Doctor Grordbort’s Infallible Aether Oscillators” about which we reported yesterday. Such a Great White Hunter in pursuit of lost worlds has of course been added to the collection of Adventurers in our COLONIAL CHAMBER.
Visit Mr Broadmore’s Profile at The Battery to see more of his excellent work which includes artwork of a rarely depicted subgenre—Shogun Steampunk!
11 March 2008 | DR GRORDBORT’S RAYGUNS | Comment
Such beautiful rayguns as the one depicted here are available for purchase at the Website of one Dr Grordbort whose oscillation weapons are meticulously built to his exacting standards and plans. “These weapons, bespangled in fine detail and with various moving parts are the perfect addition to a gentleman’s study or a deterring centerpiece for a lady’s powder room or chiffonier.”
Thanks to Mr Space Captain Toby over at the SMOKING LOUNGE for bringing this to our attention!
7 March 2008 | POLSKA ZEPPELIN | Comment
The latest addition to our TECHNOLOGY GALLERY is this “Polska Zeppelin” (of Polish manufacture, perhaps?) seemingly moored or adrift amidst some desolate metropolis fallen into decay, with three of its comrades hoovering overhead.
This airship was created by one Mr Jeff Simpson from the Proud Commonwealth Realm of Canada. Mr Simpson has more art on display in his Profile, yet unfortunately not many further works that could be labeled steampunk.
7 March 2008 | WAR OF THE WORLDS COMIC | Comment
Ian Edginton and D’Israeli, creators of the outstanding steampunk graphic novel series, Scarlet Traces, a sequel to H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds in which Britain launches an invasion of Mars, also produced a comic book adaption of Wells’ original novel, released in 2006.
Much to the delight of those who enjoyed both Wells’ novel as well as the Scarlet Traces series, said adaption has also been made available online! Visit the Website of Dark Horse Comics to enjoy this thrilling wonder story!
6 March 2008 | ONTO THE STRATOSPHERE | Comment
Up And Away! Outfitted in brass and equipped with steam-powered levitation technology, this aerial pioneer launches into the sky toward perils and travels amidst the clouds! Hence his addition to the Adventurers on display in our COLONIAL CHAMBER.
“Onto The Stratosphere” was drawn by one Mr Likaspapaya who has much more art on display in his Profile, including a grand locomative and several steam-powered soldiers!
5 March 2008 | NEW: COLONIAL CHAMBER | Comment
Out newest room has opened, the COLONIAL CHAMBER.
The new room features depictions related to the glory of what was once the British Empire. Contemplate the faces of those British adventurers who wandered the globe in pursuit of treasure and jeopardy! Visit the dark recesses of Victorian London and unravel the mysteries of the city’s many peculiar inhabitants! And travel across the Empire and see how British civilization spreads into the farthest outskirts of the world!
4 March 2008 | STEAMPUNK ASSASSIN | Comment
This mysterious lady is in spite of her slender figure and graceful form a most deadly murderer indeed equipped with what is called an “Aether Lock rifle.”
This “Steampunk Assassin” was created by Conceptbloke Andy, who sadly has no other steampunk art in his portfolio. It is certainly unfortunate that we may scarcely ever appreciate women in steampunk of slightly less courteous character. Perhaps we could persuade Mr Andy to produce more artworks of this kind?
2 March 2008 | DINOTOPIA | Comment
Dinotopia is a lost island where humans and dinosaurs live together in peaceful interdependence. Artist and author James Gurney introduced Dinotopia in a series of illustrated books beginning in 1992.
The world of Dinotopia features many enthralling places, ranging from a decaying Waterfall City to the buzzling dinosaur-built capital of the land, Sauropolis. The Official Website has a fine collection of artworks of these extraordinary places on display.
1 March 2008 | ON BROWSER COMPATIBILITY
The Gatehouse should now be viewable without significant error under Internet Explorer, version 7. Users of older version will still encounter difficulty browsing this website, particularly where the navigation device is concerned.
We strongly recommend Internet Explorer users to upgrade to either Safari or Mozilla Firefox. Both are much more reliable and available for free download! Should you doubt whether to switch browsers, may I recommend this article to persuade you otherwise?
1 March 2008 | RED ALERT 3 | Comment
The latest installment in Electronic Arts’ succesful Command & Conquer series is currently being developed.
Red Alert 3 will be set in an alternate timeline where Adolf Hitler never rose to power, thus the U.S.S.R. is engaged in ongoing conflict with the West and a superpower in the East, the Empire of the Rising Sun, apparently inspired by Imperial Japan. In the game, World War III is being fought with exotic weaponry including Tesla Coils, floating fortresses, and giant Soviet Kirov airships!
