Category: Flesk Book Updates

There are three new Flesk titles coming out in November 2012. The Jim Silke Sketchbook, James Bama: Personal Works and Naughty and Nice: The Good Girl Art of Bruce Timm Big Pocket Edition. I’m doing a three-part blog today to share the details.

The Jim Silke Sketchbook is 9 x 12 inches at 64 pages. It’s in the same format as the Al Williamson Archives books. The one exception is that I’ve added 4-inch French flaps to Silke’s book. I was able to get a good printing rate so rather than pocket the savings I threw it back into the production of the book. The price is $19.95.

The drawings cover a thirty year span. You will see samples of Silke’s work before he was a professional artist. As some of you may know already, Jim become a professional when he was 60 years old, however he has drawn for most of his life. This aspect of his life will be covered for the first time. Another aspect I find exciting are the many drawings he did in preparation for his Rascals In Paradise series. Most art inside is in pencil, yet they are printed in color and show all the nuances of the multi-colored paper and tones that Jim uses. Like the Al Williamson Archives books, my goal is for those flipping through this book to feel as if they are in Jim’s studios pouring over his originals.

Jim has also provided captions throughout and an introduction.

Working with Jim is a pleasure. I learn a tremendous amount every time I work with or spend time with him. With this book, I designed volume 1 and 2 at the same time, then sent print outs to Jim. After he shuffled some pages around and gave me his feedback for improvements I went in and did a second pass while inserting his captions. All in all it was a smooth process.

Here’s the official book description:

Jim Silke illuminates the previously unpublished gems of his private studio collection.

Each image in the Jim Silke Sketchbook series is meticulously reproduced from the original artwork, and designed to provide the experience of leafing through the private portfolio of this modern master of the art of the pinup.

Pouring over the pages of this colorful collection, the soft, rich charcoals of a voluptuous nude give way to the sharp, angular pencil study of a dashing hero’s subtle range of expression. The tight pastel rendering of a bare fatale ushers forth the rough-hewn conceptual art of an unpublished Rascals In Paradise tale. It is a volume as eclectic as it is personal to the artist himself.

Jim Silke furnishes the introduction to the book, and walks the viewer though his work by providing descriptive captioning for each piece. Comprised solely of previously unpublished works, and spanning the last twenty-five years, this lavish collection is a guided tour of the artist’s studio, with the creator himself as the guide.

I’ll post some previews and have the book available for pre-order on our website very soon.

Enjoy,

John

John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
text and photos copyright © 2012 John Fleskes. All rights reserved. Artwork copyright © 2012 Jim Silke. All Rights Reserved.

I received an email from a long-time Flesk customer and all around good guy, Rasmus Larsen. In his note, Rasmus shared his thoughts on our new Flesk logo that I revealed in May. I intentionally did not explain the design or meaning to any one publicly for the very reason that I prefer for people to interpret it in their own way. Rasmus has given me the best interpretation I have read so far. I asked him for his permission to share his explanation, which he was kind enough to provide. I hand you over to Rasmus:

I like your new logo. I understand that you won’t try to explain it, but leave it up to the person looking at it to form his or her own opinion, so here’s my take on it: The basic pattern – to me – resembles the stylized form of a plant, symbolizing the continuing growth of Flesk Publications as well as an ever growing awareness and appreciation of every single artist that you have published. However, the form could also resemble a stylized pattern of fire, symbolizing the burning passion that goes into the research, writing, production and presentation of each new title from Flesk. Finally, the use of the green nuances has – of course – the meaning of hope, but also goes to show, that “green” – or any other color – has different nuances, and that the understanding of nuances are important for the way an artist works to present an idea or catch a picture or a pose from life, just like the understanding of nuances are important for the way an audience will look at and understand artwork. Nuances also reflect the care you always take to make sure that the art itself is reproduced in the best possible way, so that all the nuances and facets will be reproduced/exposed/visible in the best possible standard to the reader.

I might be waaay off target as you see it, but I guess that’s part of the charm about having room for other peoples interpretations…

Thanks, Rasmus! I’d enjoy hearing some more interpretations if anyone feels like sharing.

John

John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
text and photos copyright © 2012 John Fleskes. All rights reserved.

I just received our copies of Bombshells 6 by Terry Dodson. Each copy comes initialed “TD” by Terry. They are now available at our Flesk online store. The price is $15.00. This collection features an assortment of Terry’s personal sketches and finished works.

Enjoy,

John

John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
text copyright 2012 John Fleskes. All rights reserved.
art copyright 2012 Terry Dodson. All rights reserved.

Links:
Bombshells 6 at the Flesk Store

Terry Dodson Website

Three projects are taking up most of my time at the moment.

New Flesk Website

The first is wrapping up the new Flesk website. Outside of a few new features currently being built by the designer, the site is nearly ready to go live. I am very happy with how it is turning out and hope you will all enjoy the new look as much as I do.

Jim Silke Sketchbook

I am working with Jim Silke to wrap up the first volume of his new Sketchbook series. I have designed books 1 & 2 and sent print outs to Jim for his feedback. He is reviewing the pair. He is also writing captions and an introduction for volume one. Once I receive Jim’s thoughts and text, I should be able to complete volume one within a few weeks. Then, we’ll have volume two primed and close to being ready so when we are ready to publish it the work involved will be minimal. I’ll announce the full details and schedule for volume 1 once it is complete. I prefer waiting to announce a street date, allowing the book to dictate its release date rather than a schedule. I don’t like being rushed and like to take my time to make books just right. Good thing I’m the boss and don’t have to be told when to be done.
James Bama: Personal Works

The next book that is near completion is “James Bama: Personal Works.” I designed 110 pages of the 128 page book quite a while ago. The delay has been me trying to find the time to focus in writing the essay for the book. I have an ambitious piece I want to present. I say ambitious since the word count is quite a bit higher than I normally write—actually it’s the longest piece I’ve written. Most of my pieces are 500-1500 words. This one, at the moment is 6900 words. Yesterday it was 9300 words. I’ve been hacking it down as much as possible. Finding the time to focus on this essay has been a challenge. But now, I’ve got a good rhythm going and hope to complete my second draft in July sometime. I expect the book to be available in or around November.
Other News

I have an Edwin Austin Abbey book sitting on the shelf. It’s been gathering dust for many months. The core of the nearly 200 page book is designed and done. What is needed is time to write a piece for the book. I don’t want to force the book. It’ll happen whenever it does. My energies are more geared towards living artists at the moment.

I have two new artist collections to announce. One is with an artist I have worked with before, the other is someone new. Both are exciting. I’ll either announce them just before Comic-Con or at our Flesk panel during the show. I haven’t decided yet. I’ll share the news soon though.

Enjoy,

John

John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
text and photos copyright 2012 John Fleskes. All rights reserved.

Links:
James Bama: Personal Works

For those that didn’t get enough of Bruce Timm’s art with the 2011 Naughty and Nice Teaser, and the big Naughty and Nice: The Good Girl Art of Bruce Timm, we have a new 2012 Teaser coming this summer. We will premiere this 5.5 x 8.5 inch, 16-page saddle-stitched paperback collection featuring twenty all-new pieces by Timm at the Comic-Con International in San Diego. There, you can find it at our Flesk booth and direct from Bruce Timm at his spot at the Naked Fat Rave booth. The price will be $15.00.

This new 2012 Teaser will be signed by Timm. It will be limited to 1000 numbered copies. We’ll have some copies for sale direct from our website at the cover price immediately following the show.

This year will feature a double cover. What do you do when you have two terrific options for a cover? You run them both, one on the front and the other on the back.

Enjoy,

John

John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
Text © 2012 John Fleskes. Art © 2012 Bruce Timm. All Rights Reserved.

Links:
Naughty and Nice: The Good Girl Art of Bruce Timm book from Flesk

I recently began work on a new Jim Silke art book that will focus on his sketches, preliminary and concept works. Last summer, while flipping through one of Jim’s portfolios and seeing some of his pencil drawings, I asked Jim if he would be interested in having this type of book made. He let me know he would. I had quite a bit of projects on my plate at the time that prevented me from immediately following-up. We agreed to talk more in the future once I had wrapped up the trio of books requiring my focus.

When I saw Jim at WonderCon in May he asked if I still wanted to do the book. I sure do! With the Bruce Timm, Craig Elliott and Warren Chang books all done I am free to get going on Jim’s new sketchbook. The plan is for this to be an ongoing series, much in the same way as the Mark Schultz: Various Drawings title that comes out every year or two.

I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to publish Jim’s Jungle Girls book. The entire process was a pleasure. The chance to work with Jim, and learn from him, is like having a one-on-one instructional course with a legendary art director and artist. I have a tremendous amount of respect for what he has accomplished with his career and who he is as a person. My hope is with this new book that I can further showcase what makes Jim such an exceptional creative individual.

The drawings that will be in this collection, besides being a testament to his artistic skills, will also serve like a journal of sorts as his process is shown for all of his projects since his becoming a “hot” new artist in the early nineties with the release of his Rascals in Paradise comic series. While Jim has always drawn, it wasn’t until his late-fifties that he entered the comic field followed by his series of art books from Dark Horse. We should all be so lucky to have a retirement such as his.

The book title is still up in the air. I’m not the type to create a template and stick to it. Most often I let the artwork dictate where the book should go. We decided on a 64-page book at 9 x 12 inches. There are plenty of sketches and pencil preliminaries for finished comic-pages and personal works, and more. I roughly designed the first two volumes last week. I found it just as easy to do both at the same time as it would have been to do one of them only. This also allowed me to pace the two volumes appropriately. The next step is for Jim to review my layout, then based on his notes I will tighten it up from there.

I’ll share more information, including a release date, once I have sorted out all the details. I prefer to take my time and not to feel rushed. I want this book to be special and pay tribute to this important artist and fine gentleman.

Enjoy,

John

John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
text copyright 2012 John Fleskes. Artwork copyright 2012 Jim Silke. All rights reserved.

I am currently working on the James Bama: Personal Work” book. I originally conceived this collection back in 2007. I had visited Jim that summer. While I was there I had the opportunity to see some of his private paintings based on his travels for the first time. I had no idea they existed. After returning home the imagery stuck in my mind. A few months later I called Jim to see if he would be interested in having a book made. “Sure,” he said.

It was during that same visit that I was also introduced to Bama’s sketches. I broached the idea of a sketchbook at the same time as Personal Works. I decided to focus on the sketchbook first (James Bama Sketchbook published in May 2010), then follow-up with his Personal Works book. I had originally intended on publishing them in 2008 and 2009. But with the economy being so bad in 2008 and continuing to limp along to today I held off and have been waiting for the economy to get better. I’m tired of waiting for the economy to turn around. I feel this book is important and needs to come out sooner than later. After nearly five years of waiting, talking and thinking, I’m finally wrapping it up.

I am writing some lead-in text and designing the book. Jim has supplied commentary for each piece of art included. I also have pictures of Jim on his travels and details about where he visited. I spoke with Jim on the phone a few days ago and asked many questions relating to the imagery in the book. I was able to get quite a bit of good quotes and fresh stories that I will include in my text. I want the whole package to feel very personal and allow people to connect with Jim and his paintings. It will be available this fall.

A lot of people ask me how he is doing. Jim is in terrific shape. He is a life-long athlete and still continues to exercise daily. When I spoke with him he had already done 1000 push-ups off of his bookcase in his studio. If I recall correctly it is three or three-and-a-half feet tall. Sound easy? Try doing 300 and see how you feel the next day. Even in his mid-eighties he is solid.

He is an impressive individual. Even though his artwork speaks for itself I also hope to share some of what makes Bama, the man, so special.

Enjoy,

John

John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
Text © 2012 John Fleskes. All rights reserved.

Link:
“James Bama: Personal Works” book details