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Vellevision
Book by Vellekoop, Maurice
Paperback
First published November 1, 1997
1 person is currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Maurice Vellekoop
17 books27 followersMaurice Vellekoop is a Canadian artist, cartoonist, and illustrator. He is most known for his queer cartoons which often feature naked men. He has drawn pin-ups as well as multi-character comics. Vellekoop is also a fashion designer with his drawings and designs appearing in popular magazines across the United States.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 14, 2020
A VERY broad mix of impressive and interesting art styles atop a full spectrum of themes in rapid-fire succession that stay afloat even when they're morose. Almost all of the sequential stories and occasional artwork inserts span 1-4 pages so he allows no opportunity for boredom and the duds are silly enough to entertain.
His works are well organized in sections that span many years and interests but you can still tell they're all by the same dude which is -in this case- a big compliment. It's a very personal and unabashed life-and-times portfolio that makes you understand him right away through the viewpoints and variety that he displays and by the end you feel as if you actually know the guy!
I firmly believe -despite being an art novice with ZERO training or studies in any medium other than photography and none of the proper lexicon for description- that he has a very interesting and highly "workable" visual diversity that I find absolutely enviable- if I had his "skill set" I'd have no doubts that I could support myself strictly as an artist for the rest of my life no matter what goes in and out of fashion and commands the most reaction.
For the homophobes and rigidifiles:
This hetero didn't flinch because even though it rains men it's not teeth-tickling-testicles gay in that "alright already*" kind of way.
This is a book by an artist who happens to be gay and proud to portray but he doesn't wile away all-the-live-long-day so don't avoid this unless you're... (someone who would've stopped reading this by now anyway).
Back-to-back laugh attack:
"Hunkenstein's Monster" (spit-out-drink funny)
followed by "Soap brought to you by Supra-Galaxy"
*People who "lead with it" (>no-matter-what "it" happens to be<) become quality enemies of their own cause because I distance myself from people -as a rule- who let it preempt their personality.
His works are well organized in sections that span many years and interests but you can still tell they're all by the same dude which is -in this case- a big compliment. It's a very personal and unabashed life-and-times portfolio that makes you understand him right away through the viewpoints and variety that he displays and by the end you feel as if you actually know the guy!
I firmly believe -despite being an art novice with ZERO training or studies in any medium other than photography and none of the proper lexicon for description- that he has a very interesting and highly "workable" visual diversity that I find absolutely enviable- if I had his "skill set" I'd have no doubts that I could support myself strictly as an artist for the rest of my life no matter what goes in and out of fashion and commands the most reaction.
For the homophobes and rigidifiles:
This hetero didn't flinch because even though it rains men it's not teeth-tickling-testicles gay in that "alright already*" kind of way.
This is a book by an artist who happens to be gay and proud to portray but he doesn't wile away all-the-live-long-day so don't avoid this unless you're... (someone who would've stopped reading this by now anyway).
Back-to-back laugh attack:
"Hunkenstein's Monster" (spit-out-drink funny)
followed by "Soap brought to you by Supra-Galaxy"
*People who "lead with it" (>no-matter-what "it" happens to be<) become quality enemies of their own cause because I distance myself from people -as a rule- who let it preempt their personality.
July 7, 2014
Such great work; very intricate and perfect illustration and coloring. Vellekoop was way, way ahead of the '60s/midcentury retro vibe, and his drawings were filled with heart instead of the antiseptic "Mad Men"-style look that still holds us in its grip. Also Vellekoop's work is thrillingly, unapologetically gay. It was always such a treat to run across one of his illustrations in the mainstream press.
December 30, 2022
Great collection of Vellekoop’s work up to that point, with some nice artist’s commentary at each chapter heading. Wonderful production values, with the only omission being date and provenance for each piece, for those of us who are historically minded. Makes me wish there was more to go around. Surely Vellekoop has done more work since this collection?
May 3, 2024
An absolutely GORGEOUS collection of Vellekoop's earlier work!
I recently re-read it (after 25+ years!) because I'd just finished reading Vellekoop's latest book I'm So Glad We Had This Time Together: A Memoir. It was fun to see a lot of the work he mentioned in the recent memoir in Vellevision!
I recently re-read it (after 25+ years!) because I'd just finished reading Vellekoop's latest book I'm So Glad We Had This Time Together: A Memoir. It was fun to see a lot of the work he mentioned in the recent memoir in Vellevision!
December 5, 2020
What an absolute delight! This dude does everything from jazz portraits and opera scenes to erotic comics and abstracts of mental health. His range is all over the place and it's a truly lovely collection with a thoughtful curation of things. It's such a refreshing capture of one's personal art.
December 14, 2008
A delightful collection of Vellekoop's work spanning his post-art-school drawings and comics from the mid-80's to his fully-realized, singular visions of the 90s. Vellekoop is a superb artist and colorist, and often manages to impart a complete story with well-rounded characterizations in just one page, with either little or no dialogue (check out his mini masterpieces like "Music," "Day of Crabby Art" and "Parallel Universes"). Anyone who appreciates really good, really funny, beautiful artwork should check this out.
January 14, 2008
maurice vellekoop is the first openly gay male cartoonist of my generation whose work I love
and would consider hanging in my apartment -
(no disrespect to Justin Green - his Hat sisters are wonderful but )
Alison Bechdel is holding the title for out and proud lesbian cartoonists
and
the grandmaster of course is Howard Cruse but he is of my parents generation
and would consider hanging in my apartment -
(no disrespect to Justin Green - his Hat sisters are wonderful but )
Alison Bechdel is holding the title for out and proud lesbian cartoonists
and
the grandmaster of course is Howard Cruse but he is of my parents generation
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews