Attacking the Mothership 

John Conrad Berkey painted "Attacking the Mothership" using traditional media of oil on board. Berkey's energetic brushstrokes are visible across the surface, adding drama to the space battle scene. Berkey worked as an illustrator, taking commissions from science fiction magazines, and in Hollywood, where he produced concept art for films. The painting is rendered in shades of blue, and the impasto technique gives form to the vast spaceship in the center. The smaller fighters surrounding the Mothership are rendered with high detail. The work shows signs of its production, which are integrated into the aesthetic effect. Berkey’s work blurred boundaries between popular culture and fine art. While this kind of illustrative work was generally dismissed by critics, it found a large audience due to the subjects and style. Let's remember that illustrations like this one were actually made by hand!