Frank Frazetta 1928-2010
Fantasy and science fiction artist, comic book artist, book cover artist, painter, album cover artist or the “Godfather” of fantasy art? But without a doubt one of the most renowned American illustrators of the 20th century.
Since 2013 Frank’s daughter Holly and grand-daughter Sara have been traveling throughout the U.S. with public showings at comics conventions. They also co-founded Frazetta Girls LLC in 2014. The Frazetta Girls company operates as a web store for official Frank Frazetta merchandise, and has a large social media presence for daily postings of Frazetta’s work.
Interview with Sara Frazetta
At what age did you realize your grandfather was a famous artist?
My grandparents helped raise me until I was five. I remained very close with them into my adult life. They were like parents to me in every way. They made my world magical. I just very recently discovered they even wanted to adopt me. Talk about love! Although I knew my grandpa was a gifted artist, my memories of him do not consist of knowing his fame, or caring. He was just grandpa. Only when he passed away did I start to understand his level of fame and the impact he made on the world.
Did your grandfather listen to music when he was painting? If so what type of music did he like?
When his family visited, everything else came second, so it was rare to see him painting. Occasionally I would enter his studio and find him tinkering with an oil painting from earlier years. If he didn’t have sports on the TV, he was listening to classical music or Frank Sinatra.
Did he listen to any of the albums that that featured his?
While he loved to see his artwork featured on album covers like Molly Hatchet and Dust, I can’t say he was a big listener. He appreciated their work but he wasn’t a big rock guy.
Do your remember watching your grandfather working on and of his paintings?
I remember him re-working his National Lampoon #13 artwork in 2010. He reworked the girl in the painting multiple times, but this time he seemed to be transforming her into my grandma, who had passed away only 6 months earlier. They had a wild relationship. Major ups and downs. The last few decades were rough but man did he miss her when she passed. I’ll never forget sitting next to him at her funeral. I had never seen him sob like that.
What is your favorite piece?
I used to be able to say I had a favorite piece but now I just have favorite elements from pieces because of how much I study them. I really love his landscapes and his Frazetta Girls.
What was your grandfather's favorite piece?
That was always a hard question for him. In later years he said his “Cat Girl” was his favorite. He said he created the perfect girl and the perfect landscape.
When will the museum in Florida open?
The Frazetta Art Museum in Boca Grande, Florida will open February 2022. It is appointment only so please email Museum@FrazettaGirls.com to schedule your visit. I am so excited to help my mom with this endeavor. I think the art should always be available to be seen by the public. Nothing beats seeing the originals in person.
And what artwork will be on display there?
As for major oils, Conan Man Ape, Death Dealer II, Dark Kingdom, Neanderthals, Reassembled Man, Castle of Sin, Flashman at the Charge, Downward to Earth, Frazetta’s Self Portrait and Dancer From Atlantis. There will be various pen and inks, pencils and watercolors. I’ll be displaying a few Frazetta originals I own as well, some personal works he painted for me and some that I’ve purchased in the last few years.
Your shop is great!, What is the most popular product that you sell?
Thank you! We design and manufacture everything in house. We always want to make sure to put out the highest quality products. Frazetta deserves nothing less. To this day, the prints are still the best sellers.
Paintings
1960’s
Carson of Venus – 1963, Tales from the Crypt – 1964
Lost City – 1964, Land of Terror – 1964
Reassembled Man – 1964, Wolfman – 1965
Conan the Barbarian – 1966, Conan the Adventurer – 1966
King Kong – 1966, Sea Monster – 1966
Spider Man – 1966, The Sorcerer – 1966
Swords of Mars – 1966, Winged Terror – 1966
The Brain – 1967, Bran Mak Morn – 1967
Cat Girl – 1967, Conan the Conqueror – 1967
Conan the Usurper – 1967, Night Winds – 1967
Sea Witch – 1967, Snow Giants – 1967
Conan the Avenger – 1968, Rogue Roman – 1968
Swamp Ogre – 1968, Egyptian Queen – 1969
Mongol Tyrant – 1969, Primitive Beauty / La of Opar – 1969
Savage World / Young World – 1969, Vampirella – 1969
1970’s
A Princess of Mars – 1970, Downward to the Earth – 1970
Eternal Champion – 1970, The Godmakers – 1970
Nightstalker – 1970, Pony Tail – 1970
The Return of Jongor – 1970, Sun Goddess – 1970
Tyrannosaurus Rex – 1970, Woman with a Scythe – 1970
Desperation – 1971, John Carter and the Savage Apes of Mars – 1971
At the Earth’s Core – 1972, Birdman – 1972
Creatures of the Night – 1972, The Silver Warrior – 1972
Thuvia, Maid of Mars – 1972, A Fighting Man of Mars – 1973
Atlantis – 1973, Black Emperor – 1973
Black Panther – 1973, Black Star – 1973
Conan of Aquilonia – 1973, The Death Dealer I – 1973
Flash for Freedom – 1973, Flying Reptiles – 1973
Ghoul Queen – 1973, Gollum – 1973
The Mammoth – 1973, Monster Out of Time – 1973
The Moon Maid – 1973, Serpent – 1973
Tanar of Pellucidar – 1973, Tarzan and the Ant Men – 1973
Tree of Death – 1973, Barbarian – 1974
Flashman on the Charge – 1974, Invaders – 1974
Madame Derringer – 1974, The Mucker – 1974
Paradox – 1975, Dark Kingdom – 1976
Bloodstone – 1975, Darkness at Times Edge – 1976
The Eighth Wonder / King Kong and Snake – 1976, Fire Demon – 1976
Queen Kong – 1976, Golden Girl – 1977, Castle of Sin / Arthur Rex- 1978
The Cave Demon – 1978, Kane on the Golden Sea – 1978
Sound – 1979, Witherwing – 1979
1980’s
The Sacrifice – 1980, Las Vegas – 1980, Seven Romans – 1980
Fire and Ice – 1982, Geisha – 1983
The Disagreement – 1986, Victorious – 1986
Predators – 1987, The Death Dealer II – 1987
The Death Dealer III – 1987, The Death Dealer IV – 1987
The Death Dealer V – 1989
1990’s
Cat Girl II – 1990, The Countess and the Greenman – 1991
Dawn Attack – 1991, The Moons Rapture / Catwalk – 1994
Beauty and the Beast – 1995, Shi – 1995
The Sorceress – 1995, The Death Dealer VI – 1996
From Dusk till Dawn – 1996
Album Covers
Herman’s Hermits – Both Sides of Herman’s Hermits (1966) Front cover watercolor painting,
back cover pen-and-ink drawing. Name is misspelled “Frizzeta” in liner notes.
Dust – Hard Attack (1972)
Nazareth – Expect No Mercy (1977)
Molly Hatchet – Molly Hatchet (1978)
Molly Hatchet – Flirtin’ with Disaster (1979)
Molly Hatchet – Beatin’ the Odds (1980)
Yngwie Malmsteen – War to End All Wars (2001)
Wolfmother – Wolfmother (2006)
Movie Posters
What’s New Pussycat (1965)
The Secret of My Success (1965)
After the Fox (1966)
Hotel Paradiso (1966)
The Busy Body (1967)
The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967)
Who’s Minding the Mint? (1967)
Yours, Mine and Ours (1968)
Mad Monster Party (1969)
The Night They Raided Minsky’s (1969)
Mrs. Pollifax-Spy (1971)
Luana (1973)
Mixed Company(1974)
The Gauntlet (1977)
Fire and Ice (1983)