Picacio and Villafranca are up for Chesley Awards again

Two artists with San Antonio ties — John Picacio and Vincent Villafranca — have been nominated for 2011 Chesley Awards.

San Antonio resident Picacio, a book illustrator and member of the Missions Unknown editorial staff, was nominated for Best Paperback Illustration for the cover of Elric: Swords and Roses by Michael Moorcock (Del Rey), Best Hardcover Illustration for the cover of The Waters Rising by Sheri S. Tepper (Harper Voyager) and Best Interior Illustration for Elric: Swords and Roses.

Sculptor Villafranca, a onetime San Antonio and Del Rio resident, was nominated for Best Three-Dimensional Work for his bronze Dogs of War. He now lives in the North Texas town of Hays.

Picacio and Villafranca have each won three previous Chesley Awards.

The Chesleys, given yearly by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists, recognize individual works and achievements in visual arts not otherwise recognized by the Hugo Awards. They’re typically awarded at the World Science Fiction Convention, and this year’s WorldCon is scheduled for Aug. 17-21 in Reno, Nevada.

The award is named for famed astronomical artist Chesley Bonestell.

A complete list of the 2011 Chesley nominees is available here.