Untitled Document

ABOUT JIM PHILLIPS ORIGINAL ART

The original artwork on display is from the artist's archives, most of it offered to the public for the first time. Jim's recent work is mostly on computer, so there is no longer a byproduct by way of finished original artwork such as in the "old world" methods of pen and ink graphics. The computer places a powerful tool in the hands of the artist, though it has all but eliminated the need for ink drawings. He still creates his art by drawing but usually only to pencil, as a rough sketch. These pen and ink graphics date from the seventies and extend thru the eighties, most were created for some form of advertising. The subject matter ranges over a broad range.

SOME HISTORY: Jim created surfing cartoons way back in the early 60's, but he supported himself, and later his family by working in various surfboard shops, manufacturing surfboards. As Jim was able to do more art on surfboards, in '71 he was offered a job in the advertising dept. of Tracy's Fiberglass Works as a full time illustrator. Tracy 's factory massproduced cycle and chopper parts, and Jim created hundreds of motorcycle drawings for the Tracy catalogs. Many of these pen a & ink drawings appear in this exhibit. Tracy's empire crumbled in about two years, and jim began his free lance art service and resumed creating rock posters and other forms of advertising. From the mid-seventies to late eighties Jim rode the skateboard craze as Art Director for Santa Cruz Skateboards , thus the many pen and ink drawings from that era, hundreds of skateboard designs. In 87 & 88 alone, eight million stickers of his designs were sold internationally.

TECHNIQUE: Most of the pen and ink drawings on display were created on illustration board with crowquill and speedball pens dipped in india ink. They are in fairly good condition unless noted. Some may have light blue pencil, white ink or whiteout, ( noted ). Some slight yellowing of the artboard may have occurred due to age (noted ). Some of the pieces have uneven edges, so matting is suggested. Some bargain pen and inks may need contour matting, in fact it is generally suggested. Also suggested is to use acid free matting. Sizes may include some paper margin.

MEDIA: Of course, Jim has also worked in other mediums than pen and ink and some are represented here. Scratchboard, a coated board, which when covered with ink allows scratching. Graphix board is a treated artboard that creates a duotone when liquid agents are applied (examples: see 7 Deadly Sins, History of Surfing-comics). Airbrush is used on some of these ink drawings as a stipple. Paintings on exhibit are oil or acryllic on canvas.

ALL ORIGINAL ART SIGNED BY THE ARTIST

All