Our special series about our esteemed judges for The Art of Xero Error Competition continues with Greg Hildebrandt. While we get ready to announce the winners for the competition, let us acquaint you with these fantastic and notable personalities who so graciously accepted to take time out of their busy schedules to support our project.

Greg Hildebrandt

Greg Hildebrandt and the late Tim Hildebrandt comprised The Brothers Hildebrandt, twin brothers who collaboratively worked as fantasy and science fiction artists. Born January 23, 1939 in Detroit, Michigan, began professionally painting in 1959.

They are best known for their popular The Lord of the Rings illustrations, painting the first Star Wars film poster, illustrating comics and cards, and their Magic: The Gathering illustrations. Greg Hildebrandt started his American Beauties pinup art in 1999, and also made major contributions to the production of a book entitled Greg & Tim Hildebrandt: The Tolkien Years, which gave an overview of the Tolkien genre artworks produced by Greg and Tim in the 1970s.

Greg’s artwork is collected by many famous people, some of whom include Robin Williams and the late Michael Jackson. In February of 1993, Greg and Tim’s centerfold painting of “The Unexpected Party,” from the 1977 Tolkien Calendar, sold for $150,000.

Greg painted a cover in 1993, for the DC Comics’ Spectre series. The comic was awarded DC’s Cover of the Month. This painting marked Greg’s first foray into the field which had so inspired him in his youth.

The Brothers separated in 1981, to pursue their own individual careers. Greg’s art appeared on the covers of several magazines, including Omni and Heavy Metal. Verkeke, one of the largest international poster companies, created an entire series around his art. The Franklin Mint, Lenox, Danbury and Bradford have issued Greg’s work on collector’s plates, figurines, dolls, knives and swords. His art has been used in advertising and has been licensed for such products as puzzles, greeting cards, and French needlepoint canvases. His images have also been reproduced on eight sets of trading cards.

In l984, Greg illustrated a calendar based on Mary Stewart’s widely acclaimed Merlin Trilogy; The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, and The Last Enchantment. Greg has said, “Mary Stewart’s Merlin Trilogy is a major fantasy work with a large following…I had an incredible feeling that my art had satisfied Lady Stewart when I received a letter from her and she said that her words and characters were now moving around in my world.”

Following in the tradition of many great illustrators, Greg went on to illustrate 15 heirloom classics and fairy tale collections. The series included: The Wizard of Oz, Aladdin and the Magic Lamp, Robin Hood, Dracula, and Phantom of the Opera. There are over 3,500,000 copies in print of the combined titles. The New York Times has said, “Fortunate are the child or adult who receives a gift of classics richly illustrated by Greg Hildebrandt.”

Greg is now focusing on his work for his pin up girls, and with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. You can find out how Greg feels about working with Trans-Siberian Orchestra and view some of his artwork here. http://www.spiderwebart.com/tso/tso_complete.html

http://www.trans-siberian.com/

You will find the entire collection of American Beauties Pinup original art, to view or purchase, here http://www.americanbeautiesart.com/