Kirk Dilbeck (3-Wishes and Patron-of-art) UNITED STATES

Member Since July 2006
1756 Artworks | Watched by 344

"The Hour of the Dragon" by Ken Kelly (1978)

Location: Conan, Elric, Thieves World, Amber, Dungeons and Dragons, Lord of the Rings, A Game of Thrones, Red Sonja, and friends
Artist: Ken Kelly (Painter)

4392 Views - 22 Comments - 17 Likes

Location: Conan, Elric, Thieves World, Amber, Dungeons and Dragons, Lord of the Rings, A Game of Thrones, Red Sonja, and friends
Title: "The Hour of the Dragon" by Ken Kelly (1978)*
Artist: Ken Kelly (Painter)
Media Type: Colored Pencils
Art Type: Animation
For Sale Status: In My Permanent Collection
Views: 4392
Likes on CAF: 17
Favorited on CAF: 2
Comments: 22
Added to Site: 12/30/2020

I saw a Kelly piece sell on the latest HA (Fall 2020). I thought- wow, I know I loved early Kelly. So I did a deep dive and discover I only really 'loved' Kelly's earliest Berkley work in the 1970’s. I found his “Hour of the Dragon” on CAF and was pretty elated as it is my favorite painting (along with a few Frazettas) of the 70's. I found out lots of cool information I did not know. Ken Kelly is Frank Frazetta’s nephew (on his wife’s side). Some 3rd hand hearsay is a collector talked to Ellie (Frank’s wife) and she said that Frank did help get Ken the Berkley cover gigs and ‘helped him’ with some of the early paintings. Is that true, who knows? Regardless, that helped me solve why I loved his early work so much. If I, as an artist, could look at Frazetta's originals how could I not be inspired and elevated in my own craft? I personally don't think Kelly's work looked like he was imitating Frank's style, as some critics said, but has a wonderful energetic look all its own. I wish he had kept this more 'earthy' palate but artists grow the way they grow. All that said I looked at my 'Hour of the Dragon' mini-poster, that came in the paperback book, on my desk wall that I have had since 1978 and asked Griffin (my 18 year old) "should I seriously try to buy this?" He said, "How long have you had that little poster?” I told him "Since before I was your age." He said "Then you HAVE to buy it." As a 15 year old, I was just as enamored with this image as any Frazetta so- call me foolish, as that is a hell of a lot of money, but this is a true Grail to me. I don't use that word much but there you go. Thank you Jack- it has been a true pleasure getting to know you and thank you for letting this masterpiece sit on my wall for the foreseeable future. I will enjoy it for the decades to come and every time I look at it, I will go back to being that 15 year old fully absorbed in Conan's greatest adventure!

About The Owner

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Member Since: July 2006
Last Login: July 2026
Ebay Id: patron-of-art
Country: UNITED STATES
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Amra The Lion Member Since 2008

Posted On 12/30/2020

GRAIL...so jealous!!! Congratulations!!

Kirk Dilbeck (3-Wishes and Patron-of-art) Member Since 2006

Posted On 12/30/2020

Amra The Lion wrote:

" GRAIL...so jealous!!! Congratulations!!
"

Thank you!!! Coming from you that means alot!

Ryan M Member Since 2015

Posted On 12/30/2020

Congrats on an amazing addition! And a great story to boot!

Kirk Dilbeck (3-Wishes and Patron-of-art) Member Since 2006

Posted On 12/30/2020

Ryan M wrote:

" Congrats on an amazing addition! And a great story to boot!
"

8 )

Steven Filosa Member Since 2006

Posted On 12/30/2020

Great piece. No matter what you paid for it, it is worth it.

I have a lot of paintings and no matter how much I love black and white art, I get a much bigger rush when I purchase a painting. Can't wait to frame, put on my wall and tell everyone how cool it is. I'm sure it's the same for you.

Congrats!

Kirk Dilbeck (3-Wishes and Patron-of-art) Member Since 2006

Posted On 12/30/2020

Steven Filosa wrote:

" Great piece. No matter what you paid for it, it is worth it.
I have a lot of paintings and no matter how much I love black and white art, I get a much bigger rush when I purchase a painting. Can't wait to frame, put on my wall and tell everyone how cool it is. I'm sure it's the same for you.
Congrats!
"

100% yes!

K Gearon Member Since 2011

Posted On 12/30/2020

Sincere congrats on picking up this awesome personal grail! Must be so gratifying, to say the least!

Kirk Dilbeck (3-Wishes and Patron-of-art) Member Since 2006

Posted On 12/30/2020

K Gearon wrote:

" Sincere congrats on picking up this awesome personal grail! Must be so gratifying, to say the least!
"

Totally is- thanks!

Jonathan Mueller Member Since 2005

Posted On 12/30/2020

Nice... enjoyed your description as much as the stellar art. Congrats on aquiring a personal grail, I'm lucky enough to know the feelings that can accompany achieving such a feat, and they're oh so so amazing, elusive, and satisifying. Thanks for sharing.

Kirk Dilbeck (3-Wishes and Patron-of-art) Member Since 2006

Posted On 12/30/2020

Jonathan Mueller wrote:

" Nice... enjoyed your description as much as the stellar art. Congrats on aquiring a personal grail, I'm lucky enough to know the feelings that can accompany achieving such a feat, and they're oh so so amazing, elusive, and satisifying. Thanks for sharing.
"

Thank YOU!

Rick W Member Since 2017

Posted On 12/30/2020

One of the more memorable Conan images. Fantastic!

Jason K Member Since 2018

Posted On 12/31/2020

Must be amazing to get your favorite painting. Congrats! It's a beauty.

Nick Katradis Member Since 2005

Posted On 12/31/2020

Kirk, a superb Ken Kelly masterpiece. Kelly's 1970s oils were all breathtaking, and this one is no exception. Hang it up on the wall and enjoy it. Bravo and congrats!

Jeremy Radisich Member Since 2004

Posted On 12/31/2020

Love the story and agree completely--Kelly's earlier, looser, more painterly work was really beautiful. His later, tighter, more detailed stuff didn't have the same life to it, in my opinion. I also had that little fold out poster on my wall, along with the others that Kelly did for several REH collections. So glad that this piece has ended up in its forever home!

Byron Hamm Member Since 2006

Posted On 12/31/2020

Absolutely amazing piece! I totally get what you are saying. This has that defining feel of the Swords and Sorcercy paintings anyone would be priveledged to own! Congrats buddy!

Gregg and Amanda Spatz Member Since 2010

Posted On 12/31/2020

Awesome!

Timothy Finney Member Since 2006

Posted On 1/1/2021

Sockamagee!

Monty B Member Since 2006

Posted On 1/1/2021

Wonderful painting!!! It must look breathtaking to see in person...

Nate Schultze Member Since 2019

Posted On 1/3/2021

WOW Kirk! I love the depth in this painting. Those hordes just keep coming.

It must be thrilling to admire it in person.

Arrick Un Rama Member Since 2020

Posted On 1/30/2021

WOW! I can't imagine anything better. The cover to the book that introduced all 50-somethings to Conan. The crown of any collection.

steve staszower Member Since 2005

Posted On 10/12/2023

One of my favorite Kellys - just tons of energy in this one.

Joe Murray Member Since 2006

Posted On 3/11/2025

BY CROM that is iconic! The kind that never leaves you, and that's a great thing, just love this one, big congrats!!

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"The Hour of the Dragon" by Ken Kelly (1978)

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