Don Maitz (born June 10, 1953) is an American

science fiction Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is a genre of speculative fiction that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts. These concepts may include information technology and robotics, biological manipulations, space ...

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional universe, imaginary places and Legendary creature, creatures. The genre's roots lie in oral traditions, ...

, and commercial artist. He has twice won the

Hugo Award for Best Professional Artist The Hugo Award for Best Professional Artist is given each year for artists of works related to science fiction or fantasy released in the previous calendar year. The award has been given annually under several names since 1955, with the except ...

, science fiction's highest honor for an artist. His peers in the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists have honored him ten times with a Chesley Award for outstanding achievement, and he has received a Silver Medal of Excellence from the Society of Illustrators. A native of

Plainville, Connecticut Plainville is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The town is part of the Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut, Capitol Planning Region. The population was 17,525 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. History Plainv ...

, he is a 1975 graduate of the Paier School of Art. His art has adorned the covers of books by

Isaac Asimov Isaac Asimov ( ; – April 6, 1992) was an Russian-born American writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University. During his lifetime, Asimov was considered one of the "Big Three" science fiction writers, along with Robert A. H ...

Ray Bradbury Ray Douglas Bradbury ( ; August 22, 1920June 5, 2012) was an American author and screenwriter. One of the most celebrated 20th-century American writers, he worked in a variety of genres, including fantasy, science fiction, Horror fiction, horr ...

, C. J. Cherryh,

Stephen King Stephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author. Dubbed the "King of Horror", he is widely known for his horror novels and has also explored other genres, among them Thriller (genre), suspense, crime fiction, crime, scienc ...

Gene Wolfe Gene Rodman Wolfe (May 7, 1931 – April 14, 2019) was an American science fiction and fantasy writer. He was noted for his dense, allusive prose as well as the strong influence of his Catholic faith. He was a prolific short story writer and no ...

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, and Raymond E. Feist, among others. Two compilations of his work have been published, ''Dreamquests: The Art of Don Maitz'', and ''First Maitz''. He also created the "Captain" character of the

Captain Morgan Captain Morgan is a brand of flavoured rums (including, in Europe, some rum-flavoured "premium spirit drinks") produced by British alcohol conglomerate Diageo. It is named after the 17th-century Welsh privateer of the Caribbean, Sir Henry M ...

brand of rum. Maitz resides in

Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...

with his wife, fantasy novelist and artist Janny Wurts.

Genres

Maitz's work covers the broad spectrum of Fantasy & Science Fiction and even horror. He has also painted an extensive collection of pirates, including the pirate on the labels of Captain Morgan rum.

Published works

Don Maitz has published two books featuring his own works entitled ''First Maitz'' and ''Dreamquests: The Art of Don Maitz''. Friedlander Publishing Group released two 90-card sets, each with five "chase" cards in 1994 and 1996. Maitz has also been included in the first book of series concentrating on artists who publish in the realm of Fantasy. This book is ''Fantasy Art Masters: The Best Fantasy and Science Fiction Artists Show How They Work''.

''First Maitz''

''First Maitz'' was published in 1988. A detailed overview of the artist's work, his techniques, inspirations, and sketches from start to finished painting.

''Dreamquests: The Art of Don Maitz''

Published in 1993, ''Dreamquests'' is a collection of Maitz's works. Raymond E. Feist gives the introduction, Maitz gives a few thoughts and then come pages and pages of images with a glossary at the end to give a title to the image and where it was used - book cover, magazine cover, etc.

''Raiding Parties''

''Raiding Parties'' is a pirate-themed card game featuring artwork by Maitz on each card.

References

External links

*
The Collaborative Worlds of Janny Wurtz and Don Maitz

''Raiding Parties''
(archived) * {{DEFAULTSORT:Maitz, Don 1953 births Artists from Florida American fantasy artists Hugo Award–winning artists Living people People from Plainville, Connecticut American science fiction artists World Fantasy Award–winning artists Paier College of Art alumni