I don't remember when or where I first encountered Hannes Bok, but I'm glad I did. There's something magical about fantasy art created before fantasy became a codified genre. The expectations I have are subverted, the approach the artists take to their subjects is alien, and the work generally feels exquisite in a way that contemporary artists just can't manage. It's some kind of time lensing effect. I guess.
Bok's work is just unique and otherworldly. He goes from lush color work to black and white stippling with ease. His figures are odd, almost cartoonish, like something out of a freaky children's book from two centuries ago. And I love it.
What Would I Steal?
Weird shapes, odd figures, nightmare creatures. Willingness to abstract more than I'm comfortable with.