San Diego, CA—Chuck
Jones Gallery announced today that superhero comic book artist, Jim Lee, will
be the special guest of honor at a one-man exhibition of his new graphic work
and original paintings on Thursday, July 23rd from 7 to 9 PM at 232
Fifth Avenue in the historic Gaslamp District of downtown San Diego. Known
for his deft and exquisite drawings of Marvel
Comic’s X-Men and DC Comics’ Superman & Batman
along with a host of other original characters, Mr. Lee will kick-off the 40th
anniversary of Comic-con with this
one-man exhibition of limited edition prints and original works of art. The artist will dedicate artwork purchased at
the event.
Although he seemed destined to follow in his father’s professional footsteps (a medical doctor) Lee’s enrollment in an elective art course during his time at Princeton University (where he graduated with a degree in Psychology in 1986) sidelined that career track as he followed his re-awakened love of drawing and pursued his dream of becoming a comic book illustrator.
Over the next half-dozen years, Lee’s meteoric rise as one
of the pre-eminent illustrators of comic books was propelled by his work at Marvel Comics. There, he began working on the beloved group
of immortals, X-Men, and over the
next decade crafted them into the contemporary superheroes of the modern age of
comic books. With their all too human
flaws powered by their superhuman abilities, X-Men are one of today’s most read comic book series. His X-Men
#1 is still the best-selling of all comic books with over 8 million
sold.
Lee’s break with Marvel came in 1992, when he and six other
artists broke away and formed their own company, Image Comics. While with Image,
he continued to create his own group of characters and comics under the title Wildstorm. In 1998 Lee sold Wildstorm to DC Comics
and began working on the famed DC characters, Superman and Batman &
Robin. His brilliant line drawings, also
known as ‘pencils’ in the trade are considered some of the most dynamic and
powerful in comic book history.
In talking about the artist's work ethic, Lee has said, "Sometimes I wonder if we ever really improve as artists or if the nirvana derived from completing a piece blinds us enough to love what we have created and move on to the next piece. If we could see the work as it is, with years of reflection in the here and now, how many images would end up in the trash rather than on the racks?"
The Chuck Jones Gallery, located in the heart of San Diego’s historic Gaslamp District at 232 Fifth Ave., is the destination for art collectors and visitors from around the world. Owned by Linda Jones Enterprises, the publisher and distributor of the art of the legendary animation creator and director, Chuck Jones, it is the only gallery in San Diego devoted to the art of the animated film. Included in the on-going display is art from all major animation studios as well as original paintings and limited edition fine art from a variety of internationally known artists and photographers whose work is entertainment related. For more information please call the gallery at 888-294-9880.
I think it is really cool that the Chuck Jones Gallery is helping to introduce great artists like Jim Lee to an ever wider audience. He certainly deserves it. I go batty thinking of his work on Batman. :) Best wishes to both Mister Lee and Chuck Jones Gallery!
Posted by: Wyman Brent | June 19, 2009 at 02:18 PM
Love the superman picture. I have been a huge fan of DC comics because of Superman and Batman.
Posted by: Philippine Real Estate | January 05, 2010 at 04:40 AM
Can't believe I am seeing Batman and Nightwing together because they each have different view about being a superhero.
Posted by: Online Store | January 06, 2010 at 04:52 AM