Jim Royal.
1970 - 2009


This page is dedicated to my good friend Jim, who passed away in early February, 2009.   I met Jim around 1996, and he immediately endeared himself to me as a kindred spirit due to our common interests and his charisma and humor.   In addition to all that, he was inspirational to me as an artist.   Almost every time we spoke, I'd ask him what creative project he was currently working on.
I have a framed original of his from when he did six pages for a Chewbacca comic.   The other five pages now belong to George Lucas.
We'd go long periods without seeing each other, because he lived out of state, but when we spoke, we had a connection more so than I did with the vast majority of people in my life, and he always cracked me up, especially in person, with his irreverent humor and his impersonations.   He was one of those people who always told me exactly what he thought, and didn't pull any verbal punches.
I remember how he'd frequently say to me "You'd dig it the most."  
I was on the phone with Jim, tuned into the same tv network as we watched the second tower fall on 9-11.   So when people ask the usual "Where were you when...?" question, he's always part of that memory.
I remember how much we used to listen to the Foo Fighter's song Everlong when it first came out, and now whenever I hear it, I think of Jim.
When I told him that I had the opportunity to visit and tour Phil Tippett Studios in California, Jim was the one who most understood and most appreciated what that meant, and was almost as excited as I was.

He's left a lasting impression on my life, and he will be missed.
Here are some photos, as well as a link to some of his artwork.









I miss you, buddy.   Thanks for the memories.

Jim's Artwork       A collaboration we did together       Back