Burky's USA Trip!

Well you've seen some superb stuff already from Phorest and Jumkie, here's a few more from a 'workers' point of view.......

So this is what I'm doing on Friday morning at 7.30am.......I have to be on site and ready to stand there all day whilst them other buggers go and get drunk, stagger out of their rooms or tents, and go watch the racing!!!
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I'm not on my own for long, there's a few stragglers already wandering around even at that time of day.....
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...and before you know it this bunch of hooligans are on you!
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It was superb on Friday, this guy walks up to me and says "Hey, do you know who I am?" ...................the infamous Jumkie, with a whole gang of mates! Before I know it, I've made a whole new bunch of friends, I have a Tequila in my hand, and the tone for my month in the USA is set!!!

Here's a top bloke, Jumkie's mate Chuy! Shame I missed seeing him on my last night 'cos he was a good egg, and I wanted to thank him personally. Jumkie when you see this, perhaps you would show him, and remind him what 'petticoat government' is!
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Add to that, Mert Lawwill came by to see me. Another legend from the US Dirt Track scene and one of the stars of 'On Any Sunday', it's one of the great pleasures of my job that heroes of mine that I have painted out of passion, then make a point of coming to visit me! Before I started this painting lark 8 years ago, if you had told me things like this would happen, I would have laughed at you!!
Then came Brad Lackey. I remember hanging over chestnut fencing all around Europe cheering on the motocross heroes of the 70's and 80's, and Brad was one of those heroes. I've met Brad before, and we've chatted about those great days, and how I really should be painting a bit of motocross. Well now I might have my opportunity, as Brad came to see me and we discussed the possibility of doing a painting to celebrate 25 years since his 500cc World Championship, still the only American to achieve premier class victory. That story to be continued....

I'll tell you about Saturday, and meeting the mighty Malcolm Smith later.

some excellent photos from you blokes , im gutted i wasn't there.
bit of a bummer that you could not watch the racing because you have to guard your stall but it still sounds like jumkie and his mates made sure these memory's of your visit will stay with you for life.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(roger-m @ Aug 18 2007, 02:41 PM) [snapback]85384[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
some excellent photos from you blokes , im gutted i wasn't there.
bit of a bummer that you could not watch the racing because you have to guard your stall but it still sounds like jumkie and his mates made sure these memory's of your visit will stay with you for life.

Absolutely Rog.......and I did manage to sneak off to watch the Moto GP, my usual spot at Turn 2!

thanks for the shots dave! you live the life brother! i'm likin chuy's shirt!

Did you make some money? or we're they all window shopping?

Then on Saturday................7.30am!!!!!
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I have recently completed a painting of Malcolm Smith, the off road star of the classic motorcycle film 'On Any Sunday'. The AMA Hall of Fame in Ohio has opened a new exhibition paying tribute to Malcolm, and his life long contributions to the motorcycle world. A Prestige print of my painting hangs as part of that exhibition.

On Saturday we visited Malcolm at his trackside suite, to present him with a Prestige Print of my painting. I'm sure many of you like minded over 40s out there will hold the name Malcolm Smith as a legend in motorcycling, so although we had met before I was still buzzing with anticipation.


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After hanging it on the wall, Malcolm decides he's going to walk back to my stand with me to look at my exhibition. So there's me, walking along with the great Malcolm Smith chatting about off roading. He has a way of chatting about what makes 'you' tick, so meeting him and finding myself in discussion about trials, my Gas Gas and my results past and present was quite a surreal experience. What a fantastic afternoon!!!
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I can't help but to envy you Burky. Amazing art work, getting to meet motorcycling Legends, all because your a first class guy. You deserve all that you've done and get to do. Thanks for sharing!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mylexicon @ Aug 18 2007, 07:38 AM) [snapback]85397[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Did you make some money? or we're they all window shopping?



Well I can't speak for the rest of the people there at the track but I got my print and so did my friend Chuy.


Here is Burky signing mine.
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And Burky signing Chuy's.
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I can tell you that meeting Burk was an absolute pleasure. The guy is super talented and a genuine decent person.


Hey Burks, those are some great pics with Mr. Smith. For those of you who don't know the man, check him out on Google, the guy is nails.

Burky’s being modest when he talks about these legends of the sport. They come out to see his work because they are there to honor the artist and his fine work. For the rest of us mortals, we get all giddy and silly when we get to take a picture with these guys and get a hat signed, but these guys go out of their way to visit Burks so they can get an autograph from him, not the other way around. Now that’s cool.


I was fortunate enough to be in a position to purchase a piece of Burky's work and it now has a prominent space in my house. It’s a small reminder of where our passions rest. But, more importantly it's an inspiration, perhaps some of you haven't heard the story of how Burky became an artist. Now, every time I see it, it motivates me to be a better person. You would do yourself a favor in ordering one of these prints for your living space.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Traverser @ Aug 18 2007, 10:46 AM) [snapback]85416[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Amazing art work, getting to meet motorcycling Legends, all because your a first class guy. You deserve all that you've done and get to do. Thanks for sharing!

Travers, that's a great way of putting it.

Wow I'm stunned, what a great story. Thanks for sharing the meet up and pictures and I'm well jealous. Burky superstar

xx Liz

Flipping heck!
There's me, still suffering jet lag (I always do on the way back), I posted this update this afternoon then went to sleep. Just woke up at 10.30pm to find some really nice comments. I'm touched, thanks.

More pics, more stars to come later on Sunday.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Racejumkie @ Aug 18 2007, 07:09 PM) [snapback]85417[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Burky’s being modest when he talks about these legends of the sport. They come out to see his work because they are there to honor the artist and his fine work. For the rest of us mortals, we get all giddy and silly when we get to take a picture with these guys and get a hat signed, but these guys go out of their way to visit Burks so they can get an autograph from him, not the other way around. Now that’s cool.

Oh man, I hold it all together when I meet these guys, then when they've gone I just stand there with a supid grin on my face for the rest of the day!

OK, so Sunday comes...

7.30am

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Race day at Laguna Seca, and the crowd are in early, if looking a little worse for wear.

Dave T arrived back on my stand, and man, what a difference. On Friday when we first met Dave, he was a typical Brit! (no offence)

Two days later and after a night on the Tequila chasers with a bunch of new American mates (I think they were coppers weren't they Dave?), and 'Damn', the bloke is Californian!!!

I'm sure Dave won't mind me saying, but he really was an altogether more chilled out character. Laguna has a way of doing that to you, it brings out your fun side.

You only have to check out the ladies on Jumkie's photo thread, and then remember your last trip to Donington, to realise this is a whole different show altogether!

We had a few more friends pop by, new and old!

Again, back to 'On Any Sunday', and who remembers another of the great dirt trackers, Mr. .... Mann.

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What a great suprise that was. .... Mann is one of the few people from the film I haven't met, so it was superb to finally meet the great man in person.
It's fantastic to see the lifelong friends this film made, all these 'old boys' still hang out together. So when a little bunch of them came back to see me I got them to pose for part of the crowd scene in my latest painting!!!

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From left, Mr. .... Mann, fellow dirt track legend Mert Lawwill, and the legendary film maker Mr. Bruce Brown. Not only are these guys legends, they're also really,....really nice people.

Well, that's about it from the circuit. I managed to get away to see the race which I must admit was not the most exciting, but this is mainly due to the turn 2 exclusions of Hopper and Hayden.
Building up to the start, the atmosphere was buzzing, and building as the place went virtually silent as some woman bangs out the national anthem. She's loud, the whole place silent, I can feel my hairs standing up all over,...........and then the whole thing is literally and totally obliterated as the air force scream through the valley!!!

I think my very words were...."....... hell!!!"

So the atmosphere remained at fever pitch, until Turn 2, which was a real shame. The US crowd deserved better.

And then everybody went home! Except me of course!

7.30am, Monday morning......

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Time to pack up,....it's a hard life being an artist eh!

Then, 6 hours drive back to base, only to realise Jumkie lives about 20 minutes drive away!!! How freaking impossible is that!!

So, the story continues...........

this is great stuff, reading all these storys and seeing the photo's, it second only to being there
that flat track style painting looks like its coming along nicely,

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(roger-m @ Aug 21 2007, 02:15 AM) [snapback]86061[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
this is great stuff, reading all these storys and seeing the photo's, it second only to being there
that flat track style painting looks like its coming along nicely,

Thanks Rog, and thanks for nagging for one of my Rossi prints for your birthday. Patience is a virtue mate!
Yeah, the old board racing painting? You know, I'm thinking of leaving this one in sepia. I feel if I were to carry on and 'colour' it, it would spoil it. What do you think?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Burky @ Aug 23 2007, 05:10 PM) [snapback]86597[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Thanks Rog, and thanks for nagging for one of my Rossi prints for your birthday. Patience is a virtue mate!
Yeah, the old board racing painting? You know, I'm thinking of leaving this one in sepia. I feel if I were to carry on and 'colour' it, it would spoil it. What do you think?

leave it as is mate, dont do a bob ross

Amazing story!! Great paintings!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Burky @ Aug 23 2007, 09:10 AM) [snapback]86597[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
You know, I'm thinking of leaving this one in sepia. I feel if I were to carry on and 'colour' it, it would spoil it. What do you think?

I vote sepia.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Racejumkie @ Aug 24 2007, 05:36 PM) [snapback]86716[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I vote sepia.


Me too!!!

Three for leave it in sepia, that'll do for me!

Sure saves me a lot of work!