Secret Look

Fan Art
Title:	Secret Look
Artist:	Shelley Butler
Date(s):	1997
First Published:
Medium:
Genre/Style:
Fandom:	Star Trek: TOS
External Links:
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Secret Look is an illo by Shelley Butler.

It portrays Kirk and Spock.

It was printed in T'hy'la #19.

It was the winner of a Philon Award.

Fan Comments

A wonderful study of two officers, on the bridge of their ship: Spock contemplating the comp slate in his hands, or something Kirk has just said: Kirk contemplating Spock with a serious look, conveying trust, expectation, and I'm sure, love. It's an intense gaze that may say, "I'm waiting, Spock." Has he asked for complex coordinates or a clandestine meeting after shift? One may imagine whatever one chooses, all the while adoring this living room acceptable piece done in loving, Shelley style and impeccable detail. Instruments, finely veined hands, perfectly downcast eyes (Spock) and piercing gaze (Kirk). Everything or anything could rest on this moment."

This is the third bridge scene that I recall Shelley doing within the past year or so, and it's hard for me to know which I like the best. [...] It's so frustrating reviewing art when I know so little about it. But I love this picture because it seems so real. I almost believe I am a part of the scene, an ensign working a little further down the curve of the bridge, watching my two commanding officers confer. Perhaps this is because of the way Shelley has drawn their bodies. Spock is leaning back against the science console, a tricorder or com-pad braced against his stomach, looking down at some information under discussion. Kirk is seated in Spock's chair, leaning back in it and turned toward his first officer, all his attention (as always) focused on Spock. I love the expression on his face; this is serious business! This is excellent composition; no stiff, unbelievable bodies here, but the everyday intensity that must be a regular part of life on the Enterprise's bridge. If I have a complaint it's the excessive definition of both their hands with veins and, I guess, musculature. Unfortunately that's a big part of the perception of the picture, since Spock's hands are smack dab in the middle of the piece.

This is another in what is fast becoming a Shelley Butler signature piece--a scene of Kirk and Spock on the bridge-- and I think it is perhaps her best work of this type so far. It simply blew me away. It is difficult to describe what I find so appealing. Perhaps it is because the artist caught them being so essentially themselves. Two Starfleet officers at work, doing what they do best. Yet there is a rapport between them, an ease in each other’s company that is evident in Spock’s relaxed posture, (shoulders slightly hunched forward, hands resting on a compuslate, body leaning against the science console). Kirk appears to be seated in Spock’s chair, listening as always to his science officer impart some piece of data, yet at the same time he is looking up at Spock’s face through those amazing lashes of his, watching Spock’s face with total absorption. They are physically apart and yet psychically in complete synch with each other. Every line of their bodies shouts it. The electricity, the unity between them is so obvious. They might as well be naked and whispering love words to each other, and yet this is far more erotic!

Technically the drawing seems perfect to me. Several artists have told me how difficult Kirk’s face is to get right, and even the best of our artists sometimes miss completely. But not here. This is Kirk. This is Spock. I can almost feel the texture of Spock’s uniform shirt, the sinews and veins on those elegant hands, the shine on Kirk’s hair, each strand of Spock’s as it catches the light. Ummm. I also like the way the edges of the drawing fade away into individual strokes, directing attention back where it belongs onto the two central figures.

Definitely a picture to treasure, and I do. Thank you, Shelley. Long may you draw!

A wonderful study of two officers, on the bridge of their ship: Spock contemplating the comp slate in his hands, or something Kirk has just said; Kirk contemplating Spock with a serious look, conveying trust, expectation and I'm sure, love. Ifs an intense gaze that may say, "I'm waiting, Spock". Has he asked for complex coordinates or a clandestine meeting after shift? One may imagine whatever one chooses, all the while adoring this living room acceptable piece done in loving, Shelley style and impeccable detail. Instruments, finely veined hands, perfectly downcast eyes (Spock's) and piercing gaze (Kirk's). Everything or anything could rest on this moment.