Jim Burke (illustrator)

Jim Burke (born 1973) is an American illustrator and painter who was born in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Burke has illustrated a number of heralded picture books including "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" (Little, Brown & Company) which he also authored to coincide with Jack Norworth's 1908 lyrics, "My Brothers' Flying Machine" (LB & Co.) written by Jane Yolen, and "Maggie's Amerikay" (Farrar, Straus & Giroux) written by Barbara Timberlake Russell. He has garnered many awards including a Gold Medal from the prestigious Society of Illustrators, Platinum and Gold Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Book Awards, a Parent's Choice Gold Best Book Award, and awards of excellence from the Original Art Show, Communication Arts, and Print's Regional Design. He has lectured at Syracuse University, The Norman Rockwell Museum and the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Burke also teaches painting and illustration at Pratt Institute.

He has recently illustrated "Naming Liberty" (Philomel Books) written by Jane Yolen ) to be released in May 2008, as well as Johnny Appleseed (Harper Collins) also written by Yolen, which will be released in the Fall of 2008.

In addition to his publishing work, Jim has created many personal paintings, including "Cast Shadows of Florence" which has been accepted into London's Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition, 2008.

Burke counts among his most prominent influences John Sloan and George Bellows of the Ash Can School, Edward Hopper, John Singer Sargent, James McNeil Whistler, Edgar Degas, and Frank Duveneck.

Burke, his wife and their young daughter reside in Beacon, New York.