(Video link) Here's a video that tells the story of the making of Dinotopia, created for the 20th anniversary edition and the Lyman Allyn exhibition.
The exhibition called "Dinotopia: Art, Science, and Imagination" ends February 2 at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum in New London, Connecticut. The show has more than 100 objects: original oil paintings, preliminary sketches, maquettes, and dinosaur fossils.
There's more good news. Another Dinotopia exhibition called "Dinotopia: The Fantastical Art of James Gurney" will have a short run from Wednesday, February 20 through Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at the New Hampshire Institute of Art in Manchester. That show will include Dinosaur Parade, Garden of Hope, Dinosaur Boulevard and many other classic images.
-----
The four Dinotopia books mentioned:
Dinotopia: A Land Apart from Time, 1992
Dinotopia: The World Beneath, 1995
Dinotopia: First Flight
, 1999Dinotopia: Journey to Chandara, 2007
That looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll be coming back to the Philadelphia are soon. I was out of the country last time you were here.
Beautiful video!
ReplyDeleteWhen will be the next video contest!
Dinotopia world is very inspiring.
my favorite of your videos, i sat through it a couple times while at the Lyman Museum!
ReplyDeletealso a side question, will you be at Spectrum Fantastic Art Live again this year?
Thanks, SuperV. Me and Mr. Kooks had fun making it. Don't think I'll be able to make it to SFAL because I already got asked to the portrait conference and plein air convention this spring.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Emmanuel. Enjoyed meeting you in Albany. E won the video contest for I.R. That would be fun to do another contest. I'll give it some thought....
Appreciate your kind words, Jon and Matthew
How marvelous to see some of the back story of your wonderful Dinotopia work.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to get a feel for all the labor that you've expended for these projects (and your history of curiosity, as well).
The plein air sketching, posing friends in costume, building models, etc. would be enough work for several people but you've done all of it yourself. Amazing.
Your budgie pal on your shoulder made me think of Merlin's Archimedes. I hope your pretty friend does not leave droppings on your drawings.
Love the videos! They have a wonderful production value. Don't you do all these yourself with friends and family? Aren't you doing special camera moves with homemade lego dollies and cranes. Isn't the scripting and videoography all homespun garage tinkering that comes out great because you're having so much fun?
ReplyDeleteMichael, yes, I run the camera by myself, set up the lights and microphone and do the editing, too. My wife helped with the camera on location shots. It's all basic prosumer gear. Camera moves are powered by Lego motors unspooling thread to Lego carts running on dollar-store broomsticks. Smoke machine is my son's party gadget.
ReplyDeleteDiana, Mr. Kooks does leave droppings here and there and nibbles on sketches, but he's a good pal. He loves to hang around while I'm working, though he's mighty suspicious of the camera dollies.
I recognized Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum amongst your museum research stops. Will the Dinotopia exhibit be making any Canadian stops?
ReplyDeleteI recognized Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum among your research spots. Will the Dinotopia exhibit be making any stops in Canada? The ROM would make a great venue (and one I could get to fairly easily!)
ReplyDeleteWonderful stuff!
Hi Mr.Gurney..Will you ever have a show in Atlanta?
ReplyDeleteSo does it freak you out a little bit to realize that Dinotopia is twenty years old already? I know it does me . . .
ReplyDeleteDelightful movie!
ReplyDeleteAnd what an assiduous and conscientious worker you are!
I find the budgie suits you very well: these birds & plumage offer a range of colors and patterns as your paintings do.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTerrific video! Love the bird, Mr. Kooks. lol
ReplyDeleteThough I am a mom, rather than a dad, (my son's dad was usually busy at his desk, illustrating) when my son was young, I learned about dinosaurs along with him, learning many of the names, etc.
I can't help but wonder whether "Dinotopia" was further inspired by a shared interest with your son/s.
I have your books on illustration and now I am wanting to read "Dinotopia" as well.
James, I was going to compliment you and the Museum for commissioning such a professional movie, complete with smoke effects. When I read in the comments that you made this little beauty yourself, I was doubly impressed. Is there no limit to your talents?
ReplyDeleteThank you, David, and look who's talking--art museum curator, book author, and that's not even including your day job.
ReplyDeleteMP, yes, I never would have come up with Dinotopia if I hadn't been a dad first.
Lanz, 20 years goes quick!
Alhaitham and Bruce, I'd love to have the exhibit travel to Atlanta or Ontario. Please talk it up to any contacts you may have there.
I'm amazed at this. You're an amazing artist.
ReplyDelete