A Parallel Planets piece by Pepe Serapio
Parallel Planets presents James Zapata
in Dark Wings and Heavenly Bodies
Story by Jofer Serapio
Mentioned: magic and science, cinematic quality, and Magic the Gathering
* * *
Magic and science don't always get along, but when they do, great things happen. Case in point: James Zapata.
An illustrator and concept artist, James has no problem combining the mystical properties of the arcane with the cold steel of a massive rail gun. This marriage of concepts gives birth to something that we're all familiar with, something that we all have, at one point or another, dreamed of being thrust into: a vibrant world of intense possibilities. But you don't have to be a believer. James will simply make you believe.
That’s saying believing is the easy part, which is no less than true. The hard part is not losing yourself in the world James builds. In particular, Moon and Crow, a fairy tale fantasy he's developing with his friend and writing partner, will be hard to get out of your head. The sight of the ethereal heroine (or likeable villain, it's hard to know right now) tip-toeing across misty grounds with her humongous familiar is haunting but in a good way. The contrast of dark and light, miniscule and colossal, power and grace, work well to pique the interest of anyone who has picked up and liked a Neil Gaiman story. Right now, Moon and Crow is a series of images built on seduction, each one as mysterious and enchanting as the next.
Strong lighting and bold colors are prevalent in James' work, combining to showcase the power of his stunning compositions. There is no denying that James' paintings are visually striking. Each one has that cinematic quality to them that effortlessly (and mercilessly) tickles the mind, drawing out thoughts from the hidden depths of an observer, capitalizing on the mood that spills out of the confines of space and time and into the viewer. Needless to say, they are hard to ignore. They are hard to resist. They are hard not to love.
All it takes is one look and you’re caught in a trance. The effect is always the same: you feel like you're watching a movie, science fiction or fantasy or even both. You start fixating on what is happening on the canvas. Where is that robed female heroine going? What is that mechanical being doing with a katana? How did Maleficent get those lightsabers? Your adventure begins with an idea, no matter the weight, and it doesn't seem likely to end.
Although it's usually customary for anyone to work with heroes, James doesn't have an exclusive contract with them.Villainous characters from all walks of life get their turn at the spotlight, too. From Darth Maleficent to various comic book baddies, James doesn't discriminate. He is all for equal opportunity.
If you want to see James' work in action, then you may want to check out Wizards of the Coast, specifically Magic the Gathering. Yes, that Magic the Gathering. As someone who would will always drool at the sight, the smell, and the feel of those cards, I can safely say that James is pretty much my hero. He’s my power animal. I'm not good at actually playing the game but the artwork on those things, not to mention the novel tie-ins, was pretty much the gun to my head. James started his Wizards of the Coast adventure in 2012, when the company approached him and shifted the balance of the universe in favor of all that is good and holy.
Another home for James’ art is Applibot, specifically its smartphone games Legend of the Cryptids and Galaxy Saga. James has also worked for Hasbro and Telltale Games.
To own a piece of James (that isn't physically attached to him), you can get his prints through his INPRNT account. You won’t need a spell or a spaceship for that.
