It is with great sadness and shock that I have learned of the passing of artist/visionary Jean Giraud better known to the world as "Moebius".
I saw my first Moebius piece when I was around 9-10 years old, and it made a profound impression on me as an individual and as an artist, course at the time I was just drawing and doodling dinosaurs and roughly drawn human characters, but Mr. Girauds art instilled in me a new aspiration and appreciation for personal and professional artistic expression. Even at that tender age, at that moment I decided that I wanted to do this as a career and Jean Giraud was a key element in that decision. For most of my life I, along with most of the world who has come to enjoy his art knew him simply as "MOEBIUS", an interesting and distinctive moniker. In the years to come even to this day when I hear that name....My ears perk up, eyes brighten, and hopes are heightened by what it could be connected to...The world is filled with artists and creators of all mediums, all talented, all striving to express themselves in unique ways whether it is to influence and/or educate the world, to protest or support, to create that which was not there before, or simply to exorcize one's demons. Moebius did all of this and more and with a very unique style that placed him on a somewhat higher plane of artistic existence and not only the style but the subjects he depicted were mesmorising, alluring and often enlightening. In a world filled with pain, death, and violence he offered to us a passport to escape into his worlds, we had many choices, all great, all enticing...Riding in the old west with "Leiutenant Blueberry", delving once again into the "Airtight Garage" with Jerry Cornelius, or flying high amongst the clouds with "Arzach" were but a few of the amazing places and characters he gave us. As an artist and fellow creator I mourn his loss greatly, not as a fellow human being, we are all mortals on this plane and someday we will all move on...its inevitable. While I along with countless others around the world celebrate the man and his work I will also mourn for there will be no more "new" masterpieces to behold from this great illustrator. The world has suddenly become less attractive with his loss.
Jean Giraud (1938-2012)
