The Sphinx II 1990

Boris Vallejo painted 'The Sphinx II' with, what looks like, oil paint and a hefty dose of fantasy. There's a real commitment to rendering here, a kind of hyper-realism that pulls you into its own world. The way Vallejo models the figure's skin, the sheen on the orb, it's all about light, color, and texture doing their thing. Look at the wolf's head, those sharp teeth, the wetness of the nose, or the woman's garment, and how the folds accentuate the body. It's like Vallejo wants you to reach out and touch it. It's hard not to think of Frank Frazetta when looking at his work, but maybe with a touch more glam. Ultimately, the piece is a reminder that art can be a conversation, an ongoing exchange of ideas. It's up to us to bring our own experiences and interpretations to the table, and let the ambiguity of the artwork spark something new within us.