Franz Miklis
Franz Miklis was born in June, 12th 1963 in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Matura in 1981. He lives with his wife Monika and two kids (Helga, born in 1991 and Daniel, born in 1993) in his own house with atelier in the nice surroundings of Salzburg.
Early artistic activities:
International Summer Academy for Fine Arts in Salzburg in 1980, (educated by Löb, Haader, Rieder)
Exhibitions in Galleries in Austria, Germany, Netherlands, France etc.
Several International prizes such as:
2000 outstanding Artists and Designers of the 20th century (Int. Biogr. Centre, Cambridge, UK)
Ami De L`Europe (Europäischer Kunst- und Kulturkreis Baden-Baden, Germany)
Fine Arts Award (1. Ibiza International Art Competition, ESP)
His most impressive works of art were created mainly by the inspiration of dreams, and besides exhibitions, those works were presented in slide shows like "The Book of Dreams" or "The Cosmic Journey."
Science Fiction and Fantasy Art has always been the main focus of his artistic endeavours. In 1980, Franz began to paint surreal, fantastic, and visionary paintings and was actively engaged in the so-called SF fandom.
Visits to world conventions and the meeting of the really wonderful professional artists made it clear to Miklis that the world of SF and Fantasy is his desired place of engagement in the future.
In 1998, Franz Miklis began working professionally as science fiction and fantasy illustrator.
Clients and Publishing Companies:
Book covers for German Publishers like Argument, Ariadne Social Fantasies, Blitz, Shayol
Gaming Industry: Eidos Germany, Fantasy Flight Games (Collectible Cards), Between the Stars (Collectible Cards)
Planetarium Stuttgart: All Sky and Panorama Paintings Star Observer, Robot Rumbles (Posters)
Magazines: Alien Contact, Thyme, Life Positive, Andromeda, Future Magic etc.
Memberships:
Society of Art of Imagination (London, UK)
SFCD (Science Fiction Club Deutschland)
VBK Vienna (Verwertungsgesellschaft für Bildende Künstler)
The main body of work in 2003 consists of his contribution to the marvellous world of Westeros, created by George R.R. Martin, in form of more than fifty works of art for the collectible card game "A Game of Thrones", published by Fantasy Flight Games. It is a wonderful cooperation between the publishers and the famous author George R.R. Martin, who always finds time to describe a certain scene or location for the art designs.
His favourite pieces that Franz Miklis are known for are unique locations like castles, chambers, gates, cities or special areas in this excellent fantasy world.
Upcoming projects in 2003 are some more collectible cards for a German SF game as well as one in the States called "Battlegrounds" and some more book covers and illus for German and Austrian publishers.
Franz loves each single piece of work he produces, no matter if it is Space-Opera like SF, or a mystical Fantasy scene or one of his visionary dreams in his private paintings.
Franz's goal is to create a vivid scene where you would love to take a walk through a painted world. Therefore, it is natural that he loves to visit old cities and nice landscapes for artistic inspiration.
Technically, Franz prefers a mixture of watercolor, acrylic brush-painting and touches of airbrush here and there. In most works, he tries to concentrate on "atmosphere" and exciting colors. No digital works! Miklis absolutely loves traditional painters-handwork, the smell of colors and the touch of canvas.
His personal style is best described in the way Eric M. Lang, Art Director of Fantasy Flight, put it:
"Franz´s art is stunningly evocative; you instantly get the feeling that not only has he been to all the fantasy locations he paints, but that he has lived there. His landscapes are not pictures, but a captured mood." (Eric M. Lang)
