Chris Soto

Fan
Name:	Chris Soto
Alias(es):	Ciana Sepulveda, Ciana Mitchell
Type:	fanartist, vidder, fan writer
Fandoms:	Star Trek: TOS, K/S, Darkover, Starsky & Hutch
Communities:
Other:
URL:
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Chris Soto was a prolific Star Trek: TOS fanartist and an early vidder.

Chris also wrote a small amount of fiction under the names "Ciana Mitchell," and "Ciana Sepulveda."

Her first published art appeared in First Time #6 in 1986.

Her Passing

She passed away in May 1997 of cancer.

Her art appears on Fanlore at the request of Kathy Resch her fannish executor.

After Chris Soto died, her entire zine and art collection was lost forever—very likely thrown out by her family. This made it even more of a tragedy. And it makes me aware of what plans I personally have for my collection—I certainly don't intend for it to be implemented any time soon—but now I'm even more aware of how important it is to know what would happen to my zines and artwork. These are my precious things and I'd want them to be with others who care.

Interviews

• On the Double Interview with Chris Soto (May 1987)

In Her Words

I work primarily in ink. Very few editors do half-tones, so be default I've had to learn the intricacies of rapidographs. What I really like working in best is pencil (graphite or color). I also work in acrylics, oils, charcoal, pastel... oh heck, let's just say I've tried about every medium there is with varying degrees of success... make that failure. Right now I'm trying to teach myself airbrush... but I keep missing the canvas and end up spraying the wall. What inspires my work? A good story or poem will make it easy for me to get a visual of what I want to draw. The more enthusiastic I am about what I am illustrating, the more I want to shoot for a personal best. I've worked both from a story and from imagination. A story gives me specific subject matter to work from and sets a mood, but I also like the challenge of working from just a description that an editor gives me. Sometimes I've only had a one sentence description to work with and that is really a challenge. Though working from imagination does sort of take away from one of the cheap thrills I get out of doing fan art... and that is getting to read a story or a poem before everyone else. But best of all, I like drawing whatever just comes to mind, what I want to do, not what another person tells me to draw...

Her Pseuds and Her Fiction

The editors in The K/S Press write in issue #41 (January 2000) of Chris and her fiction:

Note from ye eds: The late great Chris Soto was not only a skilled artist, she also wrote some wonderful K/S stories under the names Ciana Sepulveda and Ciana Mitchell. There aren’t too many, but they are oh-so-good. Try Ballad of the Rival Lord’s Son in Scattered Stars 3 (really a long poem), The Eagle and the Hawk in Within the Mirror 3, Forests of the Night in First Time 17, Honorbound in Scattered Stars 5, One Tin Soldier in First Time 27, Ordeal by Consent in First Time 31, Secret Admirer in First Time 42, Unfinished Business in First Time 24 (short). And finally, the last story from Chris is an excerpt from her novel in progress that was never finished. Robin Hood and Kathy Stanis extracted a chapter and worked on completing it, and presented it to us in Scattered Stars 12: The Edge of the World.

Reviews of Her Art

1986

The art in TIME ENOUGH is all pencil work by Chris Soto. Being an avid fan of Chris' work, I was a bit disappointed in her art here. Most of the drawings are very stilted with little or no emotion evident. The one piece I did like, the Kirk on the cover, was unsupported by the rest of the drawing. Personally, I much prefer what I've seen of Chris' pen and ink; there seems to be more depth to the drawings, more emotion in the eyes. The art doesn't detract from the story, but it doesn't enhance the story either, which art should do in a novel. TIME ENOUGH is a very good, satisfying read. In the past, I've been disappointed in most of the K/S novels I've read. Not so with TIME ENOUGH. If you're looking for an enjoyable read with good plot, good characterization, and good K/S, I can whole heartedly recommend TIME ENOUGH.

Reviews of Her Songtapes

Because songtape distribution was more complicated than printing and distributing fanzines, very few detailed or comprehensive reviews of Chris's vids have been published. However, in the K/S letterzine Come Together one fan offered the following review of one of Chris' songvid collections:

I am still madly in love with K/S music videos; watching them is a thrill. Well, Chris is an extraordinary talent at this. Hers are very good quality, audio and visual. The collection I have has 16 cuts, really a good selection of songs. Something for everyone—from excellent ship/space gen songs ("In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins, "Highway to the Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins [the first she made; won an award at IDICon 1988]) to the highly-romantic K/S ("One Hand, One Heart" by Neil Diamond, "I Dreamed a Dream" from "Les Miserables").

And most of what she labels "gen" have plenty of what we see as K/S in them anyway.

What is most remarkable about the videos is how very specific are the images she chooses for each song and going even further than that, really perfect choices of images to go with particular lines of songs. And combining scenes in such a way as to convey a very direct connection between Kirk and Spock where otherwise there wasn't actually one. And there is a lovely poetry in how the focus of a certain song will be from one of them to the other. She doesn't just put any old scenes of them together to go with a generic love song. Every moment is very intentional; you can see what a perceptive person she is about K/S, and she has a very fine sense of the dramatic. She also does some special effects, a multiple-splitscreens, and stilling images and so on.

My favorites (all very K/S of course): "Right Here Waiting" by Richard Marx, "Don't Know Much" by Linda Ronstadt/Aaron Neville, "This Time" by Neil Diamond, and of course "Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler (my favorite of K/S songs, if I have to pick one favorite). It was really a beautifully intense experience watching this collection for the first time, and the second, and the third, and sharing it with others who had not seen it. And a real treat for Shatner fans: WS in non-ST roles, to "The Best" by Tina Turner. Indeed. My only wish for more perfect K/S music videos would be that some of these gorgeous love songs would be in male voices rather than female.

As if I didn't love K/S enough, Chris' videos have added even more dimension to it for me.

In a later issue of the letterzine, this review prompted one fan to plaintively ask if Chris could possibly distribute her songtapes through a zine publisher so more fans could watch them.

When the K/S Press released her vids on videotape in 1998, another fan wrote:

It took me some time to watch all of the Chris Soto, etc. music video — naturally it was a week before I was alone and could do more than stare at the box! When it finally made it to the screen, there were parts that took my breath away, other parts made me want to cry. And in spite of the fact there was no one to hear me, the contagious laughter from the Pink and Green dance team made me chortle aloud. What a wonderful time you must all have been having! As I knew I would when I first heard the videos described, I will cherish it as long as I cherish Kirk and Spock.

What’s the technique for getting a sound track from one source and picture from another? Every time I hear a love song now, I start adding film clips from that library in my head!! Chris Soto could never be topped, but maybe if we knew how, some of the rest of us could take a shot at setting some scenes to music.

I can’t watch these without wondering what Chris was like and how great it would have been to know her. One can imagine the triumph she felt when each piece came together so beautifully. Some small part of her must have known she wouldn’t always be here to enjoy Kirk and Spock so she had to capture their love in every conceivable way — art, music and word — while she was here. She left us such a legacy through her many talents. I don’t know what I believe, sometimes, about the hereafter. But surely a soul as rich with love and compassion as Chris’s lives on. I hope so.

Partial List of Her Star Trek Vids (at least 15 vids were made)

• "Another Saturday Night" by Cat Stevens (this vid was shown at the 2004 Vividcon "Wayback Machine" vid show)
• "I Don't Know Much by Linda Ronstadt/Aaron Neville
• "Highway to the Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins. This is the first vid she made and it won an award at IDICon 1988.
• I Dreamed a Dream from "Les Miserables" ("tells the story of Kirk’s loss after Wrath of Khan") (this vids was shown at the 2005 Vividcon "High-Definition Theater" vid show)
• I Heard It Through the Grapevine
• In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins ("features the battle between Kirk and Khan in Star Trek II, as well as original scenes from Space Seed," (this vid was shown at the 2009 Vividcon "History of Vidding: 1985-1990" vid show)
• Land of Confusion
• One Hand, One Heart by Neil Diamond ("has scenes from "Amok Time,") In K/S Press #36 one fan wrote: There’s “One Hand, One Heart” with the gripping scenes accompanying “…and even death won’t part us now”.
• One Moment in Time
• "Right Here Waiting" by Richard Marx ("deals with the events in STIII, along with several scenes from the classic series")
• The Best
• The Burning Heat
• The Tijuana Jail
• This Time" by Neil Diamond ("The song is about a second chance at love, and features scenes from The Voyage Home)
• Turn, Turn, Turn
• Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler

Reviews of Her Writing

Chris wrote under the name of Ciana.

1992

If Ms. Ciana Mitchell was hoping for helpful, valuable criticism of her work, I'm afraid she'll have to get it from others. I could find nothing wanting, anywhere. Her poetry is warm and sensitive, beautifully expressed. Especially the two, "Adagio" and "Dust Devil". Both these works gave me that yearning feeling in my stomach which always means my emotions have been reached. I wanted to take both men out of their lonely, unresponsive nights, write them back together again and cuddle them up all warm and snug in one bed. "Dust Devil" started a germ of a possible idea for a story twitching around in my mind. I hope Ciana will have no objections if it should take root and become a full blown cold? As for her stories, I'll use the three. "Forests of the Night", "One Tin Soldier", and "The Eagle and the Hawk". Ail three were long, well thought out. had something to say, and if there was anything technically wrong with the writing, I couldn't find it. "Forests" was a page turner, and when i got to the end, I only wanted more. All three are what I call 'memorable' stories. With so many offerings, all with the same central theme, so to speak, it's hard to come up with individual works whose plot snaps into mind with the first few paragraphs. All three of these did, and it had been quite some time since I'd read these particular zines. "One Tin Soldier" didn't make the mistake of dragging the trauma of rape on and on, a rather common fault. But I don't believe she shorted it either. She's a very sensitive writer, as well as being logical. I believe the thing I personally like the most about her characterizations is she makes her people reasonable in their dealing with others. Her Romulan slave owner in "Forests" wasn't portrayed as a gentle man, but he could still feel something for Kirk, enough to regret hurting him excessively. Her Spock in "Eagle and the Hawk" was as tough and dangerous as he's ever been portrayed by any of us yet he was able to be tamed in just the one area by Kirk, so they both had a warm and satisfying memory to live with for the rest of their lives. No, I'm afraid I have nothing but praise for Ciana, and if she ever writes a full length novel, here's one sure sale.

There is no other author I know whose stories absolutely gush with the passion that Ciana obviously feels for these characters and the relationship between them. Her writing style conveys a great deal of love, and I picture that she must have been emotionally drained upon finishing each story. I get the feeling that she is probably incapable of 'throwing something together' just to get a free zine, or to please an editor who may have begged for a story (something the more prolific of us often stoop to). None of her writing is anywhere near "ordinary" or "average"; they each demonstrate an excessive degree of care and concern for how the story will be received by the reader. I think, perhaps, that the great care Ciana takes in writing her stories may also be a drawback. To me, her endings always have a slight feel of tying things up too conveniently. I don't think any of them would have felt overly pat had they been ordinary stories. But because the bulk of her stories are written with such attention to the characters' emotions on every page, it's very difficult to top that with a 'bang' at the end. So, what might be a 'bang' in anyone else's story, just ends up being part of the regular flow m Ciana's stories. I'm not sure of the solution to this; and I hope she goes without trying to find one if it would compromise the impact of the earlier segments of her plots. One other small distraction I've noticed in Ciana's stories is the excessive "Kirk worshipping" that goes on— from Spock and other characters. Admittedly, I'm more of a Spock fan, but I believe I'd feel that same disagreement if such extreme worship were directed at the Vulcan. Every being who comes into contact with Kirk seems to find him irresistibly handsome -- and the virtues go from there. Thankfully, Kirk's own integrity keeps these situations from becoming over-blown but while reading Ciana's stories I have at times stopped and paused a split second to shake the feeling that I was having Kirk's utter wonderfulness shoved down my throat. (Now, having said this, Ciana will probably tell me that she actually favors Spock.) After giving it some thought. I've decided that 'The Eagle and the Hawk' is my favorite of Ciana's works, with 'One Tin Soldier' a close second. 'Eagle' had the wonderful psychological element (concerning the passionate/violent Mirror Spock) that I favor in any form of literature when it is well done. I'll take a psychological melodrama any day over raw sex; I love complex characters. If I had a wish for Ciana's future work, it would be simply that she move away from 'rape' themes. She's done that subject very well, and as a reader I'm willing to move on to whatever else sne may wish to tackle. I know it'll be an extraordinary journey.

If I were to make a list of my top five K/S authors, Ciana Mitchell would be on it. Although she has written very little prose, each story is memorable, not only in story content, but in mood and technique as well. Perhaps what attracts me to Ciana's stories more than anything is the maturity of her writing. Nothing here to earn a rueful grin or roll of my eyes while I read! Her themes are serious, her treatment of then respectful. And so natural. How very many rape stories we've all read. But "One Tin Soldier" is so sensitively written, and doesn't gloss over the pain and mental turmoil of the victim's experiences. I usually dislike rape stories for the pat conclusions and unrealistic treatment. In "One Tin Soldier", making love with Spock doesn't solve all of Kirk's problems, but it does help him to face them. And those two lovely, lovely scenes where Kirk tells Spock that he is bi-sexual, and Spock reveals the same, and then when Kirk tells Spock that he loves him. How easy it would have been for the writer to rush through these tender moments, or to have such declarations end Kirk's torment, or perhaps have them fall into each other's arms. But Ciana resisted this temptation. Her writing has a unique quality in K/S literature, she is patient. She allows the emotions to develop fully, naturally, never asking the reader to believe something unlikely, asking her characters very, very real. Her Kirk is no less masculine for his doubts and fears, but he is a person with whom any of us can identify. Perhaps one of the reasons I enjoy Ciana's writing so much is that her three major works of prose are all long short stories, almost novellas. This format gives her plenty of scope and time to develop the exquisite emotions she brings into play. She doesn't tackle a subject, or an emotion, unless she's prepared to do it justice. And this isn't easy. To truly get into a character's head, to know what he is experiencing so that you can express it with words on paper, and then to allow those words to build without forcing.... It's a labor of love. I also enjoy her subtlety. Ciana knows how far to take a scene, when to stop before it becomes exaggerated and unbelievable. ...I wonder if this author is not more prolific because the fine detail in these stories is not easily come by. Her Spock and Kirk really love one another, in a soul-deep, wondrous way that will suck me into a story every time. It's a tender love that, to me, represents exactly what I read K/S to find. And because of Ciana's penchant for writing longer stories, and the recent TLC discussion about novels, it has occurred ot me that Ciana would probably write a wonderful novel. I'd buy it in an instant.

2003

She wrote some wonderful stories (both as Ciana Mitchell and as Ciana Sepulveda), and I especially liked her h/c stories, which have just the right combination of hurt (not a lot) and comfort (lots and lots) for my tastes.

Zine Contributions

Star Trek

• Alien Brothers
• Amazing Grace
• Artforum
• As I Do Thee

• Beside Myself
• Beyond Dreams
• By His Side
• A Collection of Dreams
• A Collection of K/S Poetry
• Crossroads
• Daring Attempt
• Daybreak

• Elegy for Amanda

• Fantasies
• Fetish
• First Time
• First Time Calendar
• Guardian
• The K/S Art Project
• KSX
• LoneStar Trek
• Matter/Antimatter
• Mind Meld

• Morpheus Rising
• Nome
• One Night Stand
• The Poets and I
• Portraits

• Promises to Keep
• Scattered Stars
• Sharing the Sunlight
• T'hy'la
• To Catch a Unicorn
• Trexperts
• Vault of Tomorrow
• Warlords
• Way of the Warrior
• Whalesong
• Where Angels Fear
• Year of the Ram

Other

• Ambrov Zeor!
• Before & After
• Comlink
• A Companion in Zeor
• Contes di Cottman IV
• Distant Shores
• The Fix
• Jumeaux
• Moon Phases
• Nightlight
• Playfellows
• Prisoners of the Night
• Rec-Room Rhymes

Sample Art

Star Trek

Unknown Date

• 

  June page of First Time Calendar (unknown date)

1986

• 

  from First Time #6 (1986)

• 

  from First Time #6 (1986)

• 

  from First Time #6 (1986)

• 

  from Daring Attempt #6 (1986)

• 

  from Daring Attempt #6 - "As usual, this picture is gorgeous! I love her delicate touch, the fine detail, symmetry. I would know her work now anywhere, it is so distinctive. I keep wondering how fandom holds onto her! Her work surpasses many of the professional artists I've seen in pro books and magazines, and they are making lots of money! Thanks, Chris, your contribution to fandom is breathtaking."

• 

  from A Collection of Dreams, a lovely long-haired Spock (1986)

• 

  from A Collection of Dreams, a lovely long-haired Kirk (1986)

• 

  from By His Side (1986)

• 

  from As I Do Thee #5 (1986), for Twix't Night and 'Morrow

• 

  from First Time #8 (Time Enough) (1986) - "The art in TIME ENOUGH is all pencil work by Chris Soto. Being an avid fan of Chris' work, I was a bit disappointed in her art here. Most of the drawings are very stilted with little or no emotion evident. The one piece I did like, the Kirk on the cover, was unsupported by the rest of the drawing. Personally, I much prefer what I've seen of Chris' pen and ink; there seems to be more depth to the drawings, more emotion in the eyes. The art doesn't detract from the story, but it doesn't enhance the story either, which art should do in a novel."
  
  "The cover and interior art by Chris Soto were the best I've seen from her."

• 

  from First Time #8 (Time Enough) (1986)

• 

  from First Time #8 (Time Enough) (1986)

• 

  from First Time #8 (Time Enough) (1986)

• 

  from Fantasies, for "Do Dreams Dream of Me?"

• 

  from Fantasies

• 

  from Fantasies

• 

  from First Time #8 (Time Enough) (1986)

• 

  from First Time #8 (Time Enough) (1986)

• 

  from One Night Stand #4/5 (1986)

1987

• 

  from Nome #10, for One More Door -- "This is a gorgeous illo! A close-up side view of Kirk and Spock in a meld; bare arms and shoulders. Spock's hands are on Kirk's face and you can see that Kirk is looking slightly away from Spock's eyes. I'm awed by that detail alone. It looks exactly like them as they appeared in the early movie arc. It could nearly be a photo. I envy the owner of the original illo. I had to make a copy of this pic before giving the zine back to my friend. It's one of the best drawings of K&S I have ever seen. I also enjoyed reading the story that accompanies this drawing: "One More Door," by Ellen Morris. An unusual but very poignant story."

• 

  from As I Do Thee #7, for the story, The Valley of the Blue Sun, titled "A Quiet Moment" when it was included in The K/S Art Project (1987)

• 

  from The Way of the Warrior #1 (1987)

• 

  from Naked Times #13 (1987)

• 

  from Alien Brothers (1987)

• 

  from Alien Brothers (1987)

• 

  from As I Do Thee #9 (1987) - "Most gorgeous Kirk and Spock portraits, in tuxedos. Flawlessly done, in ink, such strong black and white. An ironic thing about these depictions is that Spock the non-Terran looks so at home in a tuxedo, with his classic elegance; and it's Kirk who shouldn't but does look more out of character in a tuxedo, and this is a turn-on."

• 

  from As I Do Thee #9 (1987), reprinted in The K/S Art Project - "Mention these covers to anyone who’s seen them and call them the “tuxedo covers” and they’ll gasp with pleasure. It’s worth it to get the original of this zine just for the covers. A sophisticated, elegant tuxedoed Spock with a hint of haughtiness and power graces the front. A boyish, handsome Kirk, looking as if he’s a little too young to be wearing such sophisticated attire, graces the back cover. Both are surrounded by a black background which lends an air of mystery and strength to these drawings."

• 

  from First Time #9 (1987) - "What would seem a simple picture; Kirk and Spock in silhouette as Spock remembers his lover after the fal tor pan. But in front, Saavik watches her mentor. Her gaze is caught by the two men as they are drawn to each other. And her eyes are filled with wonder. The balance of the two, Kirk and Spock almost ethereal, Saavik solidly substantial, is perfect."

• 

  from First Time #9 (1987)

• 

  from First Time #9 (1987)

• 

  from First Time #9 (1987) - "I did want to say something about Chris Soto's art work on the cover of issue #9... I didn't get a chance to talk about them in my editorial. I know by the time you read this that I will have reveived [sic] numerous loc's about their beauty... (haven't I just!!) Chris is a marvel, so easy to work with, fast, and so wonderfully good. (witness the art if FT8). Thanks Christine. I've been accused of keeping her chained beneath my bathroom sink (along with others) What can I say. It's true!. And I don't regret it. I'm a hog, and I've learned to live with it."

• 

  from First Time #11 (1987)

• 

  from First Time #11 (1987)

• 

  from First Time #12 (1987)

• 

  from First Time #12 (1987)

• 

  from First Time #12 (1987) for What Cannot Be Cured

• 

  from First Time #12 (1987) for What Cannot Be Cured

• 

  from First Time #12 (1987) for What Cannot Be Cured

• 

  from First Time #14 (1987)

• 

  from First Time #15 (1987) - "A beautiful painting of Spock as a Native American. I am awed by the attention to detail, and the excellent rendering of the different textures—such as the bead texture on Spock's armband and the texture of Spock's feather... I could go on. Spock looks every inch a chief in this illo."

• 

  from First Time #15 (1987)

1988

• 

  from Vault of Tomorrow #13 (1988)

• 

  from Vault of Tomorrow #13 (1988)

• 

  from Mind Meld #5 (1988)

• 

  from Mind Meld #6 (1988)

• 

  from Guardian #8 (1988), portrays Kirk and Carol Marcus

• 

  from the first edition of Elegy for Amanda (1988)

• 

  from Within the Mirror #1 (1988)

• 

  cover of Vault of Tomorrow #13 (1988)

• 

  from Matter/Antimatter #6, titled "The Crusaders" (Soto borrowed heavily here from Marco Polo, another Nimoy role)

• 

  from Matter/Antimatter #6, titled "Son of the Shaking Earth" - "This image of Spock in the "Time Travellers" portfolio which portrays him as a Mayan nobleman is very lovely. It has a dignity and sheer sense of presence that is unequaled. I could praise the composition and the distinctive textures of the feathers and jewels, but what stands out is that this Spock is every inch a prince."

• 

  front cover of Crossroads (1988) - "...lovely, moody. Sad in the sense that each of them is alone and pining, you can just tell—Kirk on a beach, Spock on Vulcan."

• 

  back cover of Crossroads (1988) - "This isn't just another long-haired Spock on Vulcan. He is contemplating a fragment of an IDIC medallion with a jagged edge. The composition is excellent. The whiteness of the IDIC fragment stands out against the blackness of Spock's hair and robe. Yet it is the symbolism of the broken IDIC that most interests me. Spock couldn't practice IDIC in its completeness on Vulcan—any more than he himself could be a whole person there. This is very appropriate to the theme of the novel that Chris is illustrating."

• 

  from KSX #2 - "...beautiful, idealized, and totally recognizable.
  
  "I just have to rant and rave over this lovely picture of a long-haired Kirk. When the zine spilled out of its envelope, I was greeted with this lavender wonder (the zine used lavender-colored paper). The lines were flowing, with Kirk's hair as Kirk gazes at us — what is he thinking? The hand-movement is well-done, and I know that hands and arms are difficult to do."

• 

  from Fetish (1988) - "Chris Soto has outdone herself again. Picture after picture kept coming, each one getting better than the last. With the exception of the two Suzan Lovett's, (lovely, aren't they?), Chris did all the work (the pencils are still smoking and she's started drinking -- or maybe she always did.... Ah, well.... Thank you, Chicanita. We'll have a real fight when you get taller....

• 

  from Fetish (1988)

• 

  from Fetish (1988)

• 

  from Fetish (1988)

• 

  from Fetish (1988)

• 

  from First Time #16 (1988)

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  from First Time #16 (1988) - "[A] gorgeous nude Kirk, lying on his front on a bed, head resting on his hands, staring off deeply into his alone-thoughts. Then an exquisite Kirk close-up against the stars, and we see. again, he is a man of deep feeling. And Kirk and Spock together; Spock right where he should be. at Kirk's shoulder, so there for him."

• 

  from First Time #16 (1988) - "Although not highly erotic in nature, they are lovely and one, in particular, of Kirk should cause a few palpitations in the reader's breath."

• 

  from First Time #16 (1988) - "[I'd first] seen when I leafed through before reading, and I just couldn't wait to get to that scene. I sure don't know how Kirk could contain himself, seeing Spock for the first time in this scene; Spock in barely-clothes (when in Rome,..) with braided leather thongs around head and bicep."

• 

  from First Time #16 (1988) - "Kirk and Spock together against backdrop of stellar stuff; lovely. Then, chest-up Kirk and Spock nude, with the most beautiful, small smiles. By now in the story, they definitely have not been containing themselves.... Making us "believe" Spock smiling is an art, and this one was just perfect."

• 

  front cover of First Time #20 (1988)

• 

  back cover of First Time #20 (1988)

1989

• 

  from Whalesong #2 - "The color cover by Chris Soto is a beautiful rendition of Kirk and Spock watching the whales from the sinking Bird-of-Prey of STAR TREK IV. There is another color picture by Soto of Admiral Kirk and Captain Spock in uniform but I really loved the cover."

• 

  from Whalesong #2

• 

  from Whalesong #2

• 

  from Scattered Stars #1 (1989), for the story Satin Storm

• 

  from Within the Mirror #2 (1989)

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  from Beside Myself #1 (1989)

1990

• 

  from T'hy'la #9 (1990)

• 

  from Scattered Stars #2 (1990)

• 

  from Scattered Stars #2 (1990)

• 

  from Matter/Antimatter #8 - "Wow!"

• 

  from Portraits (1990)

• 

  from Portraits (1990) - "The covers! I need new words. I could look at Chris Soto's work until my eyes gave out. A zine with not one word, just pictures by Chris, would have me fracturing a finger writing the check. These covers did Spock and Kirk at their best and handsomest, as I always love to think of them! The men and the covers are beautiful! Thank you, Chris!"

• 

  cover of Within the Mirror #4 (1990)

• 

  cover of As I Do Thee #16 (1990)

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  front cover of First Time #26 (1990) - "Not only are these covers two of the best, most detailed portraits I've ever seen, but they so accurately reflect our heroes from the fifth movie. I'm amazed."
  
  "...spectacular! Spock exudes stoicism from the front cover, showing the maturity and the uniform of the post-Genesis era.

• 

  back cover of First Time #26 (1990) - "Again, her photographic art just makes you shake your head in wonder, how can anyone get such perfect likenesses. I've repeated my words or praise for her work until those poor words are in rags. May her drawing materials and abilities last forever!"
  
  "Here’s Captain Kirk at his very, very best! The Eisenhower style jacket that we got to see so little of just does wonderful things for him, especially in the talented hands of Chris Soto. Oh, Chris, I hope that some way you know how much your legacy means to us all. I love Kirk’s hair in this portrait. I want to touch it! And it’s so realistic I know exactly how it would feel, soft but springy, thick and just a bit unruly. Great stuff!"

1991

• 

  from Warlords - "Do you want me to live, Spock, or do you simply want me?"

• 

  from Scattered Stars #3 -- "This Kirk is wonderful, He looks good even though he does have clothes on. The hair is long, and the eyes wonderful. His expression is interesting, and it fits the long narrative poem/story that it goes with, "The Ballad of the Rival Lord's Son." This would make a beautiful cover, too. It has a very dark background which, I think, is unusual for Chris, and this makes the picture even more striking."

• 

  from Matter/Antimatter #10

• 

  from First Time #31 - "Finally, a return to the good ol' days where a cover actually features both Kirk and Spock! Not only are they both presented on both these covers, but they actually are depicted as two people involved in a relationship. Though the lines of the illo on the front cover are rather light, I applaud the presentation of two people in love. The back cover is my favorite, as not only are the feelings clearly there, but the expression on their faces indicate their awareness that they may have some struggles to overcome while traveling the road of happiness. This illo also has an innocence about it, and I'm not sure if that stems from their youthful faces or the simplicity of their nudity.
  
  "Beautifully rendered and filled with mood, these two pieces art just great. The cover shows vary accurate profiles (no easy task mind you!) and vary atmospheric as they stand together in the ocean and the palm trees actually swaying in the breeze."
  
  "The front cover is Spock and Kirk holding each other while standing in a lake or ocean. They are just looking at each other. Here I really can't imagine what they are thinking. It's a puzzling picture. That's not a criticism. I can see some good writer using this picture as inspiration, and I really want to read the story if someone does it."

• 

  "The back cover is gorgeous also. Their expressions are dreamy and thoughtful and I love the positioning of the bodies. The starry background completes the mood and is perfect for these two star travelers. Two of my favorites of Soto's consistently fine work."
  
  "The back cover, which I like best, shows them holding each other against a background of stars. Here, both are looking off into space obviously (to me) not seeing anything but their own thoughts or perhaps they are just enjoying the wonder of each other. The faces are great, very expressive."

• 

  cover of The Way of the Warrior #4 (1991)

• 

  cover of LoneStar Trek #3 (1991)

• 

  from Sharing the Sunlight

• 

  from Sharing the Sunlight - "Chris Soto's art (beautiful, as always) added immeasurably to my enjoyment of the novel. The wonderful illo of Kirk holding a sleeping Spock facing page 33 was my favorite. I loved the serene expression on Kirk's face."

• 

  from Sharing the Sunlight

• 

  from Sharing the Sunlight

• 

  from Sharing the Sunlight

• 

  from Sharing the Sunlight

1992

• 

  from Mind Meld #7 (1992)

• 

  from As I Do Thee #19 (1992), also used as the front cover of As I Do Thee #16

• 

  from Amazing Grace #2 (1992), for the story Transposed Images

• 

  from Scattered Stars #4 (1992) - "This Pre-Reform Spock wearing only a loincloth looks so life-like because the anatomy is authentic. He looks like a real man in good physical condition. I'm wondering if Chris worked from a live model when she did this illustration.
  
  " "These covers are great. Spock and Kirk are both long haired warriors wearing loincloths (nice droopy ones). I never get tired of her long haired Kirks. On page 150, are Spock's and Kirk's faces. Again, these are lovely, BUT they are rather lightly drawn. If the back of the page had print, I think it would have been hard to see the drawing. I envy the lucky lady who ends up with these originals."

• 

  from Scattered Stars #4 (1992) -- This zine is worth having just for the back cover of an AU warrior Kirk with long hair, muscles, and wearing only arm and wrist bands and a loincloth. (A very teeny loincloth I might add.) Yikes!!! I took it out of the envelope and almost fainted dead away when I saw it. OMG he is just absolutely, devastatingly astoundingly stunningly beautifully gorgeously amazingly PERFECT in this cover!!! (Breathe, Linda. Deep breaths. In, out, in, out. Calming down here.... OK, I'm fine now.) Sheesh, I can't stop looking at this cover. It is my perfect fantasy Kirk body. (The face ain't bad, either, but I must confess I haven't been looking at it much!) Chris Soto sure outdid herself on this one. And for Spock fans, the front cover is a long haired AU warrior Spock, also with arm and wrist bands and a loincloth. Very, very, nice. But the Kirk cover...sigh.

1993

• 

  from Scattered Stars #5 (1993)

• 

  from Within the Mirror #7 (1993)

• 

  from Within the Mirror #7 (1993)

1994

• 

  from First Time #38 -- "He is handsome, mysterious, alien, strong. He is just Spock. What a wonderful portrait -- one of the best I've ever seen!"
  
  "Very beautiful Spock. So quiet and strong. Perfect pace, Striking pose. Excellent light-and-darkness. Something about it invites me to get lost in contemplation."
  
  "An absolutely lovely rendition of Spock sitting pensively, long fingers steepled characteristically in front of him. Such an intriguing, serious face as he looks off into the distance. The use of dark shadow and background contrasted against the light face is superbly done- This is filled with emotion, seemingly quiet and serene, but one senses the fire underneath! A stunning use of black and white and probably one of my favorites of Chris Soto's work. I say probably because there's so much to choose from.
  
  Another fan wrote in in her Shore Leave convention report that when she met Chris Soto she embraced "her so enthusiastically that we almost fell over. Then, buying at auction a print of her Spock from the cover of FT 38. This is my second favorite piece of Soto art. The first being the original."

• 

  from First Time #38 -- "Typically wonderful Chris Soto covers. The delicate touch is so immediately recognizable that the artist hardly needs to sign her name at this point. The back cover of Kirk reclining was perfect. The intent expression and well-done body proportions on our captain had my fingers itching to pull away that concealing sheet. On second thought, I'll leave that job to a certain Vulcan. But the front cover was my favorite... Spock's face, chest, arms, and long, eloquent hands are bathed in light while the black of the background fades into the black robe he is wearing. Use of light and dark are extraordinary. Stark and yet soft as the man himself. (1994)

• 

  back cover of Scattered Stars #6 (1994) - "Kirk's face on the back cover is perfect and it's a great pose with the bow. Excellent depiction of his hair and I love the arm band. Nice eyes."

• 

  cover of Scattered Stars #6 (1994) -- "Beautiful and delicate Spock on cover, complete with long hair, earring, necklace and Vulcan weapon. Again, Chris captures Spock's ethereal, far-away look."

• 

  cover of Where Angels Fear (1994)

1995

• 

  from Scattered Stars #7 - "Chris Soto has done her usual fine job with a partial body of Spock (pg 139) in a loin cloth with pubic hair straying outside..."
  
  "...a 3/4 view, complete with armband and small, (very small) scrap of fabric to hide the genitals. Bodily proportions are perfect. I also like the way Spock's head is turned to the side, and the sense of movement."

• 

  from Promises to Keep (1995)

• 

  from Promises to Keep (1990)

• 

  from First Time #42, for The Diver a long-haired Spock -- "A simply beautiful rendition of an unclothed warrior Spock, complete with long hair and spear. Took my breath away, expert use of light and dark. I particularly like how the leather thongs on the spear echo the gentle curves of Spock's hair, I can almost feel the wind."

1996

• 

  from Beside Myself #4 (1996), for the story Shall We Dance - "Chris Soto drew an elegant Spock in cape and tuxedo (one of my favorite things). His expression is noble yet there's an openness to it. Of course I imagine he's looking at Kirk from across the room."
  
  "Chris Soto drew an elegant Spock in cape and tuxedo (one of my favorite things). His expression is noble yet there's an openness to it. Of course I imagine he's looking at Kirk from across the room."

• 

  from Scattered Stars #8 (1996) - "Warrior Spock on the front, Warrior Kirk on the back. Beautifully proportioned. Not overly muscled. It looks almost as if the artist has captured them in the act of moving. Spock with a torch is lithe and graceful, long black hair blowing gently in the breeze..."

• 

  from Scattered Stars #8 (1996) - "...the Kirk on the back cover just took my breath away. Perhaps he is reaching for Spock or perhaps the stars. The face is done perfectly."

• 

  from Scattered Stars #8 (1996) - "Moody, delicate rendition of Spock as a long-haired warrior looking out pensively with that mysterious slight smile of his. Soto has once again captured that wonderful enigmatic beauty of the Vulcan with deft strokes and subtle light and shadow. I think this is gorgeous."

• 

  from Scattered Stars #8 (1996) - "The drawing on page 111 is gorgeous, and not just because it was done to illustrate my story. It must be extremely difficult for an artist to conjure up an illustration from just a page or two of description and hope to match what the writer had in mind. Ms. Soto does it consistently and adroitly every time. This Spock is long, lean, burnished by the suns of his homeworld, delightfully sexy and crowned with a braid of long black hair. As we used to say in the sixties, “It rings my chimes.” What more can I say? Nothing, except that we’re so lucky to have this artist in our fandom."

1997

• 

  interior art in First Time #46 (1997)

• 

  from Scattered Stars #9 (1997) - "A wistful Kirk – especially an older wistful Kirk – inspires my imagination. Chris Soto has captured the most sad, innocent expression here. One can tell the era by Kirk’s white uniform shirt and the curlier, darker hair he wore after TMP. So what he’s thinking is open to speculation, but most certainly centers around Spock. He just doesn’t look that particular way unless Spock is involved. I don’t know if this was drawn to accompany the story with which it appears, but it fits nicely. As mentioned in my review, “Portrait of Promise” tells the story of a Spock and Kirk who have never met. It is after Kirk learns of Spock’s death that he is hypnotized by a portrait of the Vulcan, somehow knowing he’s lost something that could have changed his life forever. It’s just such a poignant look that Kirk wears in this pencil drawing. He could well be staring at the portrait of a love he knows he will never experience. Chris Soto had an amazing sensitivity for capturing our fellows innermost feelings, and this one is just beautiful."

• 

  from Scattered Stars #9 (1997)

2001

• 

  from Beyond Dreams #3 -- " By far, the best piece of art—in my opinion — in all of BEYOND DREAMS 3 is the frontispiece by Chris Soto, a delicate pencil. Boy, do I miss her. She was, and still is, one of my top five artists in K/S. This is another alternate universe long-haired Kirk and Spock, basically just their faces. Oh, this is a lovely picture, and both men are gorgeous. Kirk looks at the viewer as does Spock who is resting his head on Kirk's bare chest. Somehow, Chris always managed to make the eyes sparkle and come alive, and this picture is no different."

Darkover

• 

  "Evolution of a Jedi", from Comlink #23 (1985)

• 

  back cover of Contes di Cottman IV #11

• 

  back cover of Contes di Cottman IV #10

• 

  art from Moon Phases #7

• 

  art from Moon Phases #9

• 

  art from Moon Phases #11

Other

• 

  portrays Ker Avon, from Before & After (1989)

The Chris Soto Memorial Fund

In 1998, a special section for The K/S Library was created:

Chris Soto was an extraordinarily gifted writer and artist who generously shared her love of Kirk and Spock with us for many years. Her death at forty-five last year was a great loss not only to those who knew and loved her but to all of Star Trek and K/S fandom. In her name we are starting a new section of the library. I am offering some professional fiction and non-fiction books from my own collection for borrowing. The same rules apply as for the regular library with the exception that we are asking for an additional $3.00 donation for each shipment... I will collect and keep track of the money and by next year we hope to have enough to bring a needy fan to Shore Leave in Chris's name. The selection process is still to be decided. Suggestions anyone? Hopefully we will expand this section in the future to include videos, audio tapes, etc. I think Chris would be pleased.

Fans Remember Chris

Chris Soto passed away in May 1997 of cancer.

Chris was one of our best K/S writers and authors. But I think what set her apart from the rest of all the other excellent writers and artists (including the two who put this letterzine together every month), is her extraordinary talent at creating those fifteen music videos. To me, this was a unique talent that she possessed, one that we K/Sers may never see again. If you own these music videos, I know you understand what I mean. Her videos stir powerful emotions in me whenever I watch them, due to her uncanny ability to put images from the TV series and the movies together with song. It is a joy to watch all my favorite scenes of these two men together (without having to scan hours of videotape) over and over, and seeing them in a new perspective when they are coupled with music. Of all things K/S that I own, this videotape is by far my most prized possession. We have indeed, lost a unique talent, one which we may never see again."

[Stacey D.]
She wrote and did artwork in Trek, K/S. She did some of the art in Distant Shores (Starsky & Hutch). She did Trek vids to "One Moment in Time" back at Calicon 1, "Another Saturday Night" and the Khan-Kirk vid to "In The Air Tonight" at Calicon 2. I just heard last week that she passed away from cancer back on May 10th [1997].

[Jenna Sinclair]
[I] always felt a special connection with her for two reasons: she illustrated my first novel, and she also wrote my very first ever LOC. Robin sent her my two-thirds-finished Sharing the Sunlight so that she could have an idea of what scenes to illo, and Chris responded by writing a thoughtful letter on its strengths and weaknesses. I was so thrilled that anyone would actually respond to my writing that way. About two months ago I happened to find that exact letter, and read it with pleasure, remembering. I re-wrote a sex scene to please Chris.

Her art was a joy we could share. I've always been so pleased with the pictures she produced to go along with my own work. The pillow picture in STS is my favorite, but I also adore the picture of the psychically- wounded Spock in the doorway in PTK, and the meld scene in the same novel. Don't look at their hands, which aren't quite right, but look at her faces, the yearning, emotion, and love written there with Chris's skillful pencil. To create such a story with lead on paper! We've lost such a talented artist.

Chris wrote K/S with such sensitivity, such love of the characters. Hers are stories I re-read, and for me provide among the truest portrayals of Jim and Spock in our fandom. Forests of the Night, One Tin Soldier, Ordeal by Consent. They all have a certain poignant edge to them, of the hopeless one searching and never giving up, and even in the stories when something good is found, the pain isn't over. In these stories, Chris says that love is complicated and not simple, tinged with the bittersweet that perhaps makes its shadowed joys ever more valuable.

[Shelley Butler]
Chris, one of our most loved and cherished friends, has passed away. She was 47 years old -- far, far too young and very suddenly. She was an extraordinary artist as you can see by all her beautiful works which have graced zine covers and stories over many years and given so many so much pleasure.

Chris was also an excellent author -- her work is some of fandom's finest.

She prided herself on being secretive, and although we all consider ourselves her friends, none of us know exactly when or how this happened, although she had been ill.

There is a terrible void in K/S -- oh Chris, we miss you.

[a fan on K/S Press]
Chris was one of our best K/S writers and authors. But I think what set her apart from the rest of all the other excellent writers and artists (including the two who put this letterzine together every month), is her extraordinary talent at creating those fifteen music videos. To me, this was a unique talent that she possessed, one that we K/Sers may never see again. If you own these music videos, I know you understand what I mean. Her videos stir powerful emotions in me whenever I watch them, due to her uncanny ability to put images from the TV series and the movies together with song. It is a joy to watch all my favorite scenes of these two men together (without having to scan hours of videotape) over and over, and seeing them in a new perspective when they are coupled with music.

[a fan on K/S Press]
It took me some time to watch all of the Chris Soto, etc. music video—naturally it was a week before I was alone and could do more than stare at the box! When it finally made it to the screen, there were parts that took my breath away, other parts made me want to cry. And in spite of the fact there was no one to hear me, the contagious laughter from the Pink and Green dance team made me chortle aloud. What a wonderful time you must all have been having! As I knew I would when I first heard the videos described, I will cherish it as long as I cherish Kirk and Spock. What's the technique for getting a sound track from one source and picture from another? Every time I hear a love song now, I start adding film clips from that library in my head!! Chris Soto could never be topped, but maybe if we knew how, some of the rest of us could take a shot at setting some scenes to music. I can't watch these without wondering what Chris was like and how great it would have been to know her. One can imagine the triumph she felt when each piece came together so beautifully. Some small part of her must have known she wouldn't always be here to enjoy Kirk and Spock so she had to capture their love in every conceivable way—art, music and word—while she was here. She left us such a legacy through her many talents. I don't know what I believe, sometimes, about the hereafter. But surely a soul as rich with love and compassion as Chris's lives on. I hope so.

[Nancy Kippax]
Her artwork graced the pages of many fanzines, and her reputation could have stood on that contribution alone. But Chris was also ahead of the curve, creating a plethora of song vids, some of them the finest ever seen despite the early techniques and technology she had to work with. Her "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserable, set in the period between ST II and III, beautifully captured Kirk trying to deal with Spock's death. It's one of the most heart-wrenching pieces of video ever viewed.

[projectcop]
[…] I can still remember sitting in Bev's livingroom the first time we watched Chris Soto's song tape one Saturday night. I don't think there was a dry eye in the room after the vid to the song from Les Mis played. To this day, it is one of, if not THE, best song vids I've seen.

So many taken too soon.

[Kathy Resch]

front cover of T'hy'la #18

back cover of T'hy'la #18

Shortly before I went to press [with T'hy'la #18], I learned the sad news that Chris Soto passed away In late spring, 1997. Chris' talents graced fandom for many years, and she shared those talents in so many different ways: art, writing, music videos. She was a truly lovely person, and she will be very much missed. This issue's covers are among her last works.