More Jim Burns

The Doctor asked that I post a few more pieces of art from the the Lightship book...here are some of the illustrations I could find on the net that are in the book and that I find particularly inspiring:

If I didn't mention it before, I know I discussed with Kris this morning that I draw more inspiration from science-fiction artwork than from most fantasy stuff (for instance, I'm not a raving fan of Boris Vallejo). I just feel that sci-fi is more...um..."open ended." I mean, it's STILL "fantasy artwork" but there's no real prohibition on what can be depicted. At least not in "weird sci-fi" (I'm not even going to discuss hard science sci-fi as that is a whole heaping can of rant that I do NOT want to open this morning!). And I dig the weird stuff.

These images I've posted? I could create a completely different RPG based on each one. Or at least, three completely different campaign/world settings. That's awesome.

Perhaps a side-project for next weekend...

; )

Jim Burns LIGHTSHIP

Okay, this truly will be my last post of the evening as it's close to 2am, and I have to get up early to feed the beagles and prep for tomorrows (hope-hope) B/X D&D game at convention Day 2. Or rather "Redbook" game. Apparently this is the euphemism people use for B/X in these here parts. Which is confusing to me as "redbook" could just as easily refer to Mentzer's mealy-mouthed version of Basic or the new "D&D Essentials" (um...I have all the "essentials" I need, thank you very much) for that matter.

ANYway...enough petty slights (sorry, BECMI-lovers). I mentioned in today's earlier post about the convention that I made a tasty little purchase. The purchase was a 1985 book of beautiful sci-fi illustrations by one Jim Burns, called Lightship.

I love books like this. Pure and simple. I appreciate good art. Whether it's the work of Renaissance masters in Firenze (which I've seen) or tentacled aliens wrapped around air-brushed naked bodies (this book), art is art is art. And good art is inspiring stuff. This book is the kind of thing to inspire whole role-playing works.

And check out this piece:

I may have even passed the book by if this wasn't for this image on the back. Damn. Nothing against Elmore's work (I've written before that I dig it). But if there was MORE stuff like this for the Star Frontiers game...what I guess I can only call "hard core artwork"...well, I think I would have been more inspired to keep up with this game, instead of writing it off.

(and yes, I do recall changing my mind to a more charitable degree, but even so...)

Anyway. It was a great buy. If I hadn't been interrupted to play a game of Traveller (much to my happy surprise), I would have happily spent the afternoon perusing its images and taking notes.

: )