Question: Who is this James Gurney fellow anyway?

 Answer....

          As author and illustrator of the popular Dinotopia® series of books, James  Gurney brings a perspective of realism and scientific accuracy to his work in  fantasy. He began his career as a background painter for such animated films as Ralph Bakshi‘s sword and sorcery epic Fire and Ice.
        In 1982 he and fellow artist Thomas Kinkade co-authored The Artist’s Guide to  Sketching, based on their adventures across America by freight train. A  lifelong interest in archeology and lost civilizations then led james to assignments for the National Geographic Society, including reconstructions of  Etruscan, Moche, and Kushite cultures.
        In 1990 he started consulting with top dinosaur paleontologists to develop  his vision of Dinotopia®, where humans and dinosaurs live in peaceful  interdependence. His books have received critical acclaim—including features in Life, People, and a cover article in Smithsonian magazine—and have sold more than a million copies in thirty countries. 
        Meanwhile, Gurney’s paintings has been exhibited by the National Geographic  Society and the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, where a solo  exhibition of his work began a national museum tour. Among his many honors are  the World Fantasy Award, the Hugo Award from the World Science Fiction  Convention, the Chesley Award from the Association of Science Fiction and  Fantasy artists, and a Silver Medal from the Society of Illustrators.  His  commitment to dinosaur art has also resulted in his painting The World of  Dinosaurs for the U.S. Postal Service, which launched a vastly popular and  extensive line of post office stamps and related products in 1997.
  “I don’t see myself as having created Dinotopia,” he says. “It feels as if it  existed before I discovered it. I’m just an explorer. Every morning, I put on  my safari hat, head upstairs into the studio, and take a little adventure.”  That adventure now extends through, among other things, many books, fine art  prints, an interactive CD-ROM, and entertainment.
        Who knows what other magical wonders await in Gurneytopia?