As most of you can tell I rarely post journals, only updating them if I have something to say (even more rare if it's anything intelligent) but something happened over the weekend that I must talk about.

On Saturday, Ralph McQuarrie passed away.

For many of you, his name may not be that familiar but you knew his work regardless. He was the primary concept artist George Lucas hired back when he was still trying to pitch Star Wars to studios. He's the man who would define what the legendary film saga would look like for the next 3+ decades. Without him, there very well would never have been a Star Wars. At least not in the way we know it.

I can't even begin to express what this man has meant to me as an artist. He was the reason I became an artist. Those first concept paintings he did for the Holy Trilogy became etched into my subconscious. It became my quest to own every sketchbook, every portfolio, every art book that even made mention of McQuarrie's name. And even though I never had the pleasure of meeting him in person, I felt as if I had known him for 35 years. It's almost as if I lost a Grandfather on Saturday. And it's affected me more that I would have imagined.

If you don't know the artist and his work, I HIGHLY suggest you check it out. [link]

A Legend has passed. He was an icon, my idol, my hero... and I'll miss him.

May the Force be with you Ralph.

Ralph McQuarrie
1929 - 2012