I was saddened to hear the news of James' passing. I've known him for decades, though not over familiarly, in part because we rarely attended the same conventions, and I never made the effort to cultivate a friendship beyond that. We did have one genuine moment a long time ago, as we had the same flight returning from a convention, and I got to speak with him and his mother for a long while during the wait at the airline gate, which somehow seems like more honest conversation that anything you get in a dealer room or artist alley.
I recall Jim's rise to prominence in the 1990s. His artwork hit furry fandom like a bomb, loaded with a realistic sensibility and anatomical attention to detail, whether applied to comics, technical drawing, or shamelessly hardcore pornography. It was a real sensation at a time when the majority of furry art built on the style of comics and cartoons. Perhaps it was no surprise the joke that someone who buys all of Jim's Skunkworks folios would receive an honorary degree in gynecology would come to pass. His style continued to build upon itself. pushing further and further into a near photo-real place, perhaps even beyond my own personal preferences. I have nothing but respect for his talents.
I suppose you could call Jim 'controversial', at least if you believe the online world. Things he has done, written, or drawn have consistently found someone's ire raised by them. i think he just had a more worldly view than those who didn't see past furry, didn't suffer fools well, and occasionally reacted in a more harsh or public way than might be called for.
RIP Jim. I wish I took the opportunity to know you better. Condolences to his friends and family.
skunkworks Favorite Folio; Skunkworks VI - Going to Hell in Handbasket
skunkworks
