Finalists for the 2021 Chesley Awards Announced

The finalists for the 2021 Chesley Awards, for works and achievements in the period from January 1 to December 31 2020, have been announced.

The Chesley Awards, named after astronomical artist Chesley Bonestell, were established by the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists (ASFA) in 1985 as a means for the Science Fiction and Fantasy art community to recognize individual works and achievements in a given year.

Best Cover: Hardback Book

• Tommy Arnold Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir Tor Books (August 2020)
• Iris Compiet The Dark Crystal Bestiary: The Definitive Guide to the Creatures of Thra by Adam Cesare Insight Editions Illustrated edition (October 2020)
• Jason Mowry Red Dragon by Thomas Harris Suntup Editions (Fall 2020)
• John Picacio Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse Gallery / Saga Press (October 2020)
• Corinne Reid Encounters with the Imaginary Vol. 3 edited by Jeszika Le Vye and Kira Night Boneshaker Press (September 2020)

 

Best Cover: Paperback or Ebook

• Rovina Cai The Fourth Island by Sarah Tolmie Tordotcom (October 2020)
• Scott Fischer Ashes of the Sun by Django Wexler Orbit (July 2020)
• Madolyn Locke Valian Styrke: Knight of Fate by Reiter SylverQuill Press (November 2020)
• Charles Urbach Ghost Riders in the Sky by Timothy Zahn Swallow’s End Publishing (April 2020)
• Ben Zweifel The Thousand Deaths of Ardor Benn by Tyler Whitesides Orbit (October 2020)

 

Best Magazine Illustration

• Arjun Amky Clarkesworld #170 (November 2020)
• Evan Cagle “Stranger Things: Into the Fire #4” Variant Cover Dark Horse (July 2020)
• Tithi Luadthong Lightspeed Issue #123 (August 2020)
• Tim O’Brien Time (August 2020)
• Francesca Resta Clarkesworld #169 (October 2020)
• Rodion Shaldo Clarkesworld #168 (September 2020)

 

Best Interior Illustration

• Audrey Benjaminsen Hearts in the Ground by G.V. Anderson Tor.com (September 2020)
• Iris Compiet The Dark Crystal Bestiary by Adam Cesare, Brian Froud, Wendy Froud, Iris Compiet Insight Editions (October 2020)
• Ejiwa Ebenebe “Boundless Unrivaled” FIYAH Literary Magazine Issue #16: Joy (Autumn 2020)
• Micah Epstein The Case of the Somewhat Mythic Sword by Garth Nix Tor.com (January 2020)
• Sija Hong Monstrous Tales: Stories of Strange Creatures and Fearsome Beasts from around the World Chronicle Books (September 2020)
• Michael Komarck The Crippled God by Steven Erikson Subterranean Press (2020)
• Jason Mowry Red Dragon by Thomas Harris Suntup Editions (2020)

 

Best Gaming Related Illustration

• Joanna Barnum Overlight: The Lost Spire of Tziuhquatl Renegade Game Studios (2020)
• Lindsey Look “Sublime Epiphany” Core Set 2021 MtG WotC (July 2020)
• Seb McKinnon “Cuombajj Witches” Commander Legends MtG WotC (November 2020)
• Christian Piccolo “Roswell Skateboard” In-game and real world skate board deck art for Tony Hawk Pro-Skater 1 & 2 Vicarious Visions (September 2020)
• Charles Urbach “The Whispering Heart” Tabletop RPG Solo Gaming Adventure Das Schwarze Auge (The Dark Eye) Ulisses Spiele (August 2020)
• Jabari Weathers Dissident Whispers cover Whisper Collective (June 2020)

 

Best Product Illustration

• Wylie Beckert A Clockwork Orange (MONDO poster)
• Jason Edmiston The Invisible Man (MONDO poster)
• Te Hu Nine songs (Mural for the 14th China International Comic Festival in Guangzhou)
• Heather Kreiter Genevieve Plush Mascot Plush (Licensed for Gen Con)
• Vanessa Lemen Psyche (Promo for Reckless Deck: PSYCHE)
• John Picacio La Maceta / The Flowerpot Loteria card (Lone Boy)
• Greg Ruth Ad Astra (MONDO poster)

 

Best Colour Work – Unpublished

• Marcela Bolívar “Hothouse” (Digital)
• Bruce Brenneise “Garden of Solitude (Digital)
• Kai Carpenter “The Selkie” (Oils)
• Amelia Leonards “Melody of Shattered Bars” (Watercolor/Ink)
• Rachel Quinlan “Luminous” (Watercolor/Ink)
• Danny Schwartz “Lily court” (Acrylic on Board)
• Charles Urbach “Chapters Infinite” (Color pencils)

 

Best Monochrome Work- Unpublished

• Daria Aksenova “羊 (Yáng)” (Pen and Ink on hand-cut, suspended, layered paper in a
• hand-built, gilded Italian frame)
• Ashley Hankins “Unmasked” (Digital)
• Julia Lundman “Spring Ghosts” (Graphite)
• Gary Villarreal “Romantic Storyteller” (Graphite)
• Marta Witkiewicz “Enchanted” (Graphite)

 

Best Three Dimensional

• Sara Felix “Air Tiara” (Mixed media, resin and metal patinas)
• Thomas Kuebler “Black Widow” (Mixed Media)
• Tach Pollard “Wind Walker” (burnt hawthorn)
• Leia Powell “Flight into Fantasy” (Stained Glass)
• Forest Rogers ‘Dream of Quan Yin’ (Clay / Mixed Media)
• Karl Deen Sanders “Siren” (Bronze upon an Onyx base)
• Lisa Sell “The Birdcage Bandit” (Mixed Media)

 

Best Art Director

• Neil Clarke Clarkesworld
• Rebecca Dornsife Suntup Editions
• Irene Gallo Tor/Tordotcom
• Lauren Panepinto Orbit
• Nadine Schäkel Ulisses Spiele
• Megan Walker Dark Horse

 

Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award

• Richard Corben (Final year of eligibility)
• Gregory Manchess
• Iain McCaig
• Wendy Pini
• William Stout
• Allen Williams