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?