Brian C. Hailes

Illustrator Judge – Biography

Brian C. Hailes

Brian C. Hailes was born at the base of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains, where he began exploring and sketching the world—as most children do—at a very early age. Utilizing his natural illustrative and creative design sense, he began writing and illustrating his own books through his teens and into adulthood.

Intrigued by the science fiction and fantasy genres, many of Hailes’s projects reflect elements of the fantastic, but he also appreciates the beauty and elegance in fine art masterpieces by the likes of Bouguereau, Waterhouse, Alma-Tadema, and many others. He is also drawn to the styles and ideals of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood of the mid-nineteenth century.

Hailes studied at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and Utah State University where he received his bachelor of fine arts degree with an emphasis in illustration and design.

Having received several awards for his art from across the country, including winner of the L. Ron Hubbard Illustrators of the Future Contest out of Hollywood, his artwork has also been featured in the 2017–2021 editions of Infected by Art.

Hailes has written and/or illustrated over 60 titles, including three illustrated novels, Avila, Defender of Llyans, and Blink, two graphic novels, Devil’s Triangle and Dragon’s Gait, and many short stories and children’s books, including, The Isolated, If I Were a Spaceman, Here There Be Monsters, Don’t Go Near the Crocodile Ponds, and more. He also illustrated the 2012 Girl of the Year books: McKenna and McKenna, Ready to Fly, the 2015 GOTY: Grace & Sylvie: A Recipe for Family (American Girl), and Continuum (Arcana Comics), which New Line Cinema optioned in 2012.

Brian was an Illustrators of the Future winner in 2002. He has been an Illustrators of the Future judge since 2023.

“Being invited as an L. Ron Hubbard Illustrators of the Future judge is an exciting honor. Having won the competition back in 2002 and occasionally working with the teams at Galaxy Press and Author Services, Inc., ever since, I’ve grown an appreciation for their commitment, work ethic, and marketing prowess, and I look forward to continuing that relationship. I hope to pay forward some of the benefits of my experience as a working artist in the field and genres that I’ve come to adore, namely illustration, fantasy, and science fiction. To forge an art-related career path in publishing, editorial, or entertainment nowadays requires a certain amount of grit, knowledge, discipline, and love for the craft, and the up-and-comers ought to know it.”
—Brian C. Hailes

Find out more at: HailesArt.com