New Website and Blog

I've set up a new website and blog. I'll be posting over there from now on. You can find it at jamesburks.com

Leaf Jumper

Don't wait till tomorrow...jump in the leaves today!

It's the same, only different...

Here is another version of the one below. I think this one feels more like my over all style. Which one do you like better?

Who you calling Octopus?

Here is a piece that I just finished. It's going to be the front of a promo postcard. Now I must figure out what will go on the back.

A day at the beach...

Here is an illustration I did the other night. It was based on a sketch I did a year or so ago of my son playing at the beach. I think if you scroll back through the blog far enough you can see the original sketch. I'm planning on making this part of a bigger illustration in the next few days or weeks, I'll post that when it's finished.

My next book...(part 1)

I'm currently at the beginning stages of what I hope will be my next graphic novel. This is what I have so far.



No you're not crazy, that is in fact a blank bulletin board. The plan is to cover it with 3x5 note cards of the eventual story beats.



These are the cards. As you can see they are still safely wrapped in their protective wrapper. I haven't been able to free them quite yet, I'm still trying to mentally prepare myself for that task by reading various books.



These are the books that are currently stacked next to my bed. Half of them deal with story and story structure and the other half are mystery/detective novels. It might be safe to assume that my next book is a detective/mystery story, although it's still early in the process and it could always change, maybe to a post apocalyptic romance. I want to keep my options open.



Here is the sketchbook that has been assigned to the project, it's job is to contain anything and everything that relates to said project, like good and bad story ideas, sketches of the various characters, dialogue, tears and/or blood depending on how things are going on that day. I carry it with me as I walk to Starbucks most every morning. So far I've only managed to fill about 11 pages, mostly with lots of writing. It's too soon to post anything but maybe later as things begin to take shape.

Now if I can just muster up the nerve to open that pack of index cards.

Big City

Bicycle

Here is a piece from another book idea that I've been working on.

Gabby tote bag

Here is a peek at something I'm making for this years San Diego Comic Con. Since Gabby is all about saving the environment it's only right that she put her face on a reusable canvas tote bag. This is my first foray into the world of silk screening but so far it hasn't been too bad. I've only botched one bag.

Gabby and Gator color pages

Here are some colored pages from my graphic novel that I've been working on non stop for the past few months.It should be out in bookstores next April of 2010 from Yen Press. I'll keep you posted as things move forward.

Ben Franklin in the rough

Beep Model

Ocassionally I get these crazy ideas in my head and I have to get them out. So I went to the hardware store and like magic I now have a half scale model of Beep.

Underwater sketches

Here are the rough sketches for the finished page below. I pretty much roughed out this entire book in a little square sketchbook. Then I scanned them into the computer and composed my pages and panels.

another spread

Here is another finished spread from my latest book.

Something I'm working on.

Here is a page from a children's book/comic that I'm working on. It will be making the rounds looking for a publisher in the next couple of weeks.

Un-forgettable

un-subtle

un-lucky

un-concerned

un-detered