Darrell K. Sweet
{{Short description|American illustrator (1934–2011)}}
{{Infobox artist
| image =
| image_size = 180px
| alt =
| caption = Cover art for The Runelords
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1934|08|15}}
| birth_place = Highland Park, New Jersey
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2011|12|05|1934|08|15}}
| death_place =
| nationality = American
| spouse =
| field = Fantasy, science fiction, and western illustration
| training =
| movement =
| works =
| patrons =
| awards =
| elected =
| website =
}}
Darrell K. Sweet (August 15, 1934 – December 5, 2011){{isfdb name}} was a professional illustrator best known for providing cover art for science fiction and fantasy novels, in which capacity he was nominated for a Hugo Award in 1983.
Life and career
Sweet was born August 15, 1934,{{cite web|title=Sweet, Darrell|website=Encyclopedia of Science Fiction|date=September 12, 2022|accessdate=February 17, 2024|url=https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/sweet_darrell}} in Highland Park, New Jersey. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1956 with a degree in fine arts.{{cite web|url=http://www.locusmag.com/News/2011/12/darrell-k-sweet-1934-2011/|title=Darrell K. Sweet (1934-2011)|date=2011-12-05|publisher=Locus Online|access-date=6 December 2011}}
Sweet began designing book covers for Ballantine Books in 1974. He moved to Del Rey Books in 1975, when Judy-Lynn del Rey hired him to produce the front cover for Fritz Leiber's novel Gather, Darkness!."Darrell K. Sweet: The Dragon Man", by David Lee Anderson; LoneStarCon 3: the 71st World Science Fiction Convention program book; page 20
He was famous for providing cover art for the epic fantasy saga The Wheel of Time, save for the final book, which postdated Sweet's death. He was also the cover artist for the well-known Xanth series by Piers Anthony, the Pelbar Cycle by Paul O. Williams, the Saga of Recluce series by L. E. Modesitt, Jr., the Runelords series by David Farland, and Stephen R. Donaldson's series The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever.
Between 1975 and 2005, Sweet produced over 3000 images including trading cards and calendars. He died in 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.tor.com/blogs/2011/12/darrell-k-sweet-1934-2011 |title= Darrell K Sweet TOR obit |first= Irene |last= Gallo |date= December 5, 2011 |publisher= TOR |access-date=5 December 2011}}
Professional recognition
Sweet was a guest of honor at Tuckercon in 2007, at the 2010 World Fantasy Convention in 2010, and LepreCon in 2011.[http://www.leprecon.org/lep40/History.php History of Past Leprecon, Inc. Conventions and Sponsored Events] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224814/http://www.leprecon.org/lep40/History.php |date=2016-03-03 }}, by the LepreCon 40 Organizing Committee; retrieved October 07, 2014 In 2011, he was selected as a guest of honor for LoneStarCon 3; after his death, LoneStarCon chose to "continue to feature him in memoriam as one of our honored Guests."[http://www.lonestarcon3.org/guests/index.shtml LoneStarCon 3 - 71st Worldcon in San Antonio, Texas - Guests] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130624175046/http://www.lonestarcon3.org/guests/index.shtml |date=2013-06-24 }}, by the LoneStarCon III Organizing Committee; retrieved June 19, 2013
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110131141507/http://www.sweetartwork.com/ Official website (archived)] Sweetartwork.com at Internet Archive
- {{Isfdb name}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sweet, Darrell K.}}
Category:American fantasy artists
Category:People from Highland Park, New Jersey
Category:Place of death missing
Category:American science fiction artists