It’s been a big week in my mailroom. Not only did I get my first proof copy of the paper edition of my upcoming novel GRONE, I also received a bit of original artwork from one of the most respective visual artists in Hollywood and the world of science fiction: John Eaves. It’s a sketch of one of his concept designs for the USS Enterprise NX-01 for the show Star Trek: Enterprise. Y’all know I’m a big Star Trek fan AND a fan of sci-fi concept art, so getting a sketch from Mr. John Eaves himself thrilled me to the core.
Here’s the story of how it happened:
I’ve been a fan of John Eaves for years (decades, actually). I mean, seriously, y’all, this guy is a legend in Hollywood, having worked for famous studios like Apogee, Paramount and Disney. He’s the designer of iconic starships of television and cinema, of all sorts of scientifically feasible props and settings that you would recognize from your favorite shows and movies, and as for Star Trek, he’s one of the few artists who have most influenced the design ethos of the movies and television shows from Star Trek: First Contact all the way up to today’s current Star Trek: Discovery.
When last year I discovered that Titan Books was releasing a coffee table book of John’s art, I was thrilled and immediately preordered it. Soon after it arrived, John offered on his Facebook page to sign bookplates and send them out to anyone who’d bought the book. Of course I signed up for one, and in the process of our correspondence learned that Mr. Eaves was not just a great artist, but he was also a really nice guy!
Fast forward to a few weeks ago. I follow John on Facebook, and when I saw that he was offering to do sketches for fans, I immediately sent him a message and requested one. My timing was lucky, for just a few minutes later he posted that he’d already been overwhelmed by requests and couldn’t take any more. When he asked what sort of sketch I’d like to have, I knew immediately what I wanted: the unused NX-01 concept design he created for the producers of Star Trek: Enterprise. Ever since I saw it in his book, I’ve been in love with the design.
Sure, no problem, he told me.
I got chills, y’all. Seriously, I geeked completely out. John Eaves was making a starship sketch for me.
Two weeks later, just before Christmas, it arrived. I wasn’t disappointed. I know it probably took John just a few minutes to whip this sketch out, but it was still incredible. There’s even a personalized Christmas message on the back. I’m still trying to figure out how I want to display it.
If you’re here reading this there’s a good chance you’re a sci-fi art buff like me. If so, go follow John on Facebook and go right now and order his book from Amazon.
