Boris Vallejo (pronounced Val-YAY-hoe) is an artist renowned for his vivid, hyper-representational paintings in the realms of fantasy and sci-fi. Born on January 8, 1941, in Lima, Peru, Vallejo began painting at 13. However, his original plan was to become a concert violinist. Later, his interest shifted to medicine, and he completed two years of pre-med training. Meanwhile, his artistic talent was being recognized by others. He studied graphic design at the Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes (National School of Fine Arts), where he earned a five-year scholarship and won the Gold Medal for his work.

At 16, he was even offered a scholarship to study art in Florence, Italy, a dream for most art students.Vallejo chose not to go. Instead, he moved to the United States in 1964, embarking on a prolific career illustrating covers for pulp fiction, comic books, and magazines, including The Savage Sword of Conan. By the 1970s, his dramatic portrayals of warriors, beasts, and scantily clad heroines earned him comparisons to Frank Frazetta and solidified his status in fantasy art.

Vallejo, or “Boris” as he usually signs his works, is known for his oil-on-board technique, often combining photographic elements into dynamic compositions. Throughout his career, he has been fortunate to always have an athletic, lean, and well-defined male model: himself! For his female figures, he has also had excellent models, including Doris, his first wife, and the artist Julie Bell, his current wife, with whom he has been collaborating since 1994 to create books and calendars that showcase their shared aesthetic.

Although Vallejo’s work has shaped genre art and inspired generations, to this day (despite being frequently nominated) he has surprisingly received only four awards: the Inkpot Award in 1978, the British Fantasy Award for best artist in 1979 for his painting The Amazon Princess and her Pet, the 2011 Chesley Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, and the 2014 Chesley Award for Best Product Illustration.