Maya riding with her dad...

A pic of Maya on the back of her dad Spike's bike.

Meet Maya...

 Maya ©

Meet our latest young critter for Biker are Animals 4 - Working and Riding. Little Maya is a biker through and through and rides with her dad Spike the bear every chance she gets.

You'll have to wait...another teaser...

Jake and his dad GT Charlie go for a ride and end up at this really cool place. Unfortunately, you're going to have to wait until the book comes out to see where they stopped.

Next up...

 

Jake ©

Next up is Jake. Having a riding muskrat for a dad (GT Charlie) means Jake gets to go on rides to some pretty cool places.

A live animal for a change...

Photographed this cheetah at the National Zoo in DC a couple of weeks ago. Used my Pentax K7 with an aluminum A. Schacht Ulm Travenor 135mm lens. Made in Germany back in late '50's, it's pretty sweet lens. Pretty cool cheetah too. Click on pic to see it larger.

Check out these bikers...

In all my years of riding (40+), I've seen the good that bikers do with events to help others and raise awareness for a multitude of causes. Recently I found a group that has really impressed me for what they are doing and, as a biker and author, it makes it even better. The group is Bikers for Books out of Saint Johns, Michigan. They are reaching out to kids about the power of reading. Check out their FB page at https://www.facebook.com/BikersForBooks?fref=ts

Show your support to some great bikers who are walking the walk with their effort to get kids reading. PJ

Rough of...

A rough of Leenah and Purl on the road. Again, like all the roughs, this is close crop teaser.

Our latest critter...

Purl ©

Our latest critter is Purl. Her mom is Leenah the racoon from BAA2. This little one loves her mom and loves going down the open road together with her on the bike.

A great review...

A great review by David McMullan the Englishman in China...

David McMullan is currently the only foreign journalist specializing in the Chinese industry. David is the International Editor of ChinaMotor Magazine and China E-Vehicle as well as writing monthly columns and periodical reports for British Dealernews, MCN, BikeSA, Motorcycle Consumer News, Motorcycle Powersports News, Kiwi Rider, Revista 400, Global Auto Supplies, Inside Motorcycles, Canadian Motorcycle Rider and many others.

Bikers are animals!
David McMullan the Englishman in China reviews

Maybe not too complimentary a comment until you realise that in Paul Jamiol’s charming
series of children’s books the bikers really are animals!

Famous motorcycle cartoonist Jamiol applies his already celebrated illustrating talents to
a series of children’s books which are designed to stimulate a child’s interest in
motorcycles and motorcycling. At first, motorcycling may seem a strange topic for a
child’s book but as the reader engages more with the animal bikers and their relationships
(certainly in the 3rd book) it becomes a lesson in cooperation and team work as well as a
promotion for leisure orientated motorcycling.

This 3 book (so far) series depicts a variety of animals as traditional American ‘bikers’
(of the non-outlaw variety). Clad in denims and leathers each different biker has their
own style of motorcycle, varying from the iconic v-twin American cruisers to classics,
customs and sports bikes. Started by club brothers Thor, Trash and Spike the ‘Bears
Motorcycle Club’ provides an introduction to the first book which also includes a biking
gorilla, rhino, elephant and eagle among other animals in its motorcycle menagerie. Each
biker is illustrated and his or her motorcycle and riding style described individually
throughout the first 2 books of the series which culminates in a 3rd book which details a
grand motorcycle tour involving all the animal bikers.

I must admit to being slightly alarmed by the lack of motorcycle helmets and safety gear
on display but relieved by Paul Jamiol’s later assertion on behalf of the animal bikers that
“remember that we are cartoon characters. When it comes to riding a motorcycle in real
life, make sure that you wear a helmet and protective clothing…that means no tank tops,
no shorts and no sneakers!”

Intricately drawn, coloured and shaded motorcycles bring the pages to life in what can be
positively described as a ‘buddy book’ that will delight kids and adults alike as it shines a
positive light on a much maligned pastime. My 2 year old daughter Maya squealed with
delight at the cartoon animals and listened attentively to their adventures.

Bikers are Animals is a truly delightful series of books and one which the ankle-biters
will love. If I have to criticise the series in any way it would be that among the abundance
of beautifully drawn v-twin cruisers, occasional customs, classics and sports-bikes is an
absolute absence of scooters and café-racers. But then again, I am English!

Thanks Dave!...and look for a café-racer in Book 5...Paul and Linda

Check out Dave's sites at...  
http://www.englishmaninchina.org/
http://www.chinamotorcyclenews.com/, 
http://www.chinamotorexport.com/

Finished drawing of Tourk and Tac. This is just a partial teaser. The full pic has them riding on a cool mountain road. You're gonna have to wait until the book comes out to see the full scene. I think you'll like it.

A rough of...

This is a partial of the rough of Tourk and Tac cruisin' down the road.

Belt Drive Betty's Contest Character gets a name...

 

 

Her name is Road Trip Rita and she's the mascot for Renee "Belt Drive Betty" Charbonneau of Belt Drive Betty Media's Canadian Busted Knuckle Chronicles. She had been nameless from when I created her a few month's ago. Renee held a contest to name her furry mascot and the winner is "Road Trip Rita". I recently did some motor and front end work on Rita's bike. She's now sporting a big V-twin to get her down the road.

For more on Road Trip Rita and the best motorcycle website in Canada check out http://www.beltdrivebetty.com

 

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Here's our latest little critter...

Tac ©

He's the younger brother of our sportsbike ridin' lion Tourk. Needless to say Tac is following in Tourk's footsteps with a love for motorcycles.

Working on...

I'm working on a logo for the inside front page. Here are a couple possibilities.

   

Still might do a third. I like the one with Little T and his dad but I had Trash in BAA3. I really like the one with Sa-Rah and Ela but I think it might need a little more of the bike showing. If you guys have any thoughts...

Meet Dex...

 Dex©

Dex is the grandson of that seasoned riding dog Pops. Dex looks up to his granddad and will go riding with him in a heartbeat.

Got a chance to meet...

Got a chance to meet motorcycle artist extraordinaire David Uhl at the New York motorcycle show back in January. His paintings are really  beautiful...That man wields a seriously mean brush! Pic was taken by my friend Jack Lydon.

Nikki finished...

 The final of Nikki. She's ready to go riding with her mom!

Every once in a while something about real animals...wolves...

Love wolves. I think they are just beautiful and fascinating creatures. Here's a great picture of a pack that I found on the web the other day. I don't know who the photographer is but kudos to him/her for a such stunning shot!

Meet Nikki...in the rough...

  Nikki©

 

A rough sketch of Nikki. Her mom is Skyla, the full-dresser riding bear, from Book 2. Like her mom, she has an independent streak and like all the young critters...loves motorcycles!

Gar and Anvil see Roag riding by...

While out riding, Anvil and Gar see Roag riding by on his very cool V8-powered bike. 

This line drawing is rough and heavily cropped and still needs to be cleaned up before I start coloring. The full pic has Anvil and Gar going by in the opposite direction.