Night Serpent

The Work of Paul Carrick

Web: http://www.nightserpent.com

Paul Carrick is a fascinating artist who explores the darker side of fantasy with an emphasis on the work of H.P. Lovecraft as well as general fantasy and visionary art. His biography outlines his extensive professional experience in design and illustration for books, magazines, card and role playing games coupled with broad fantasy, science fiction, role playing, live-action and gaming experience as well as his educational background in the fine arts, but of course this does not do him justice.

I was initially attracted to Carrick’s work through his superb presentation of images related to the dark visions of H.P Lovecraft. Now, sure, Lovecraft is popular today, perhaps too popular and there are artists a dime a dozen creating images of his work. But there is a “presence” in Carrick’s work, his images are refined reflections on dark fantasy and are at times stunning beautiful, at other times brutal and edgy. While involved with RPG (role playing games), his work shows a maturity that goes beyond much of what passes for fantasy art in this field these days, there is a depth to his art and I especially note his use of light and shade to create powerful and memorable images.

One of his best images is that Cthulhu, in my mind it is one of the very best representations of Cthulhu I have seen in print and is extremely evocative. It has a superb octopus like look with markings symbolizing its great age and ancestry, its eye is alien and cold, it seems to stare right through you. It is available on the Night Serpents website as a professionally printed, signed and limited edition (1,000 copies only. It is supplied polybagged with a cardboard backing to arrive in perfect condition. A quote below the image reads 'In his house at R'lyeh, Cthulhu Awakens'. It is certainly worth getting hold of.

Carrick has a regular blog on his website and is working on a Cthulhu statue and selling casts of it so it is worth keeping an eye on his site and seeing what is has on offer. His site also includes sample images of a lot of his works including a superb H.P. Lovecraft image gallery.