James Gurney: Dinosaur Painter

Written by Nikki Jeske

Every one knows that dinosaurs are extinct. But what if they were not? What if dinosaurs were alive and walking among us? Writer and illustrator James Gurney often ponders this question, as one can plainly see when looking at his wonderful paintings of dinosaurs and people living together. This painter is an incredibly unique person as well as artist. His background is quite interesting, his paintings are beautiful, and he happens to be my favorite artist as well.

James Gurney is the talented author and illustrator of the Dinotopia books. He grew up in Palo Alta, California, and has loved dinosaurs since he was a child. He would often daydream about seeing the skeletons of dinosaurs in museums get up and walk around. "Gurney's daydreams took him beyond dinosaurs into archaeology and lost civilizations" (Brokehorn). He went to study at the University of California at Berkeley and loved archeology and paleontology. After this he attended the Art Center College of Design to "pursue his interest in drawing and painting" (Brokehorn). This interest soon led him to co-write a book called The Artist's Guide to Sketching with Thomas Kinkade. He also began working on movies, painting backdrops and scenery. A few years later, James Gurney began working as an illustrator for National Geographic. In his spare time he worked on two paintings. These two paintings of dinosaurs and humans are what brought about the idea for Dinotopia. Gurney's unique style of painting using vibrant colors and intense lighting has given him fans all over the world.

All of Gurney's paintings are beautiful. Some of them, though, completely stand out from the others. One of these is an oil painting entitled "Morning in Treetown." In this picture, several brachiosaurs are coming up to the houses built in the trees, ready for their morning snacks. Down by the water, a group of humans sit talking with a thirsty two-legged dinosaur. Together, the people and the dinosaurs create a very peaceful and tranquil bond between two different worlds. The painting is bursting with color. The leaves in the trees are changing to bright red and brilliant orange; the dinosaurs are vivid green and pure sky blue; the people wear colorful costumes, and the use of light in the foreground and background is a stroke of genius. This painting is a prime example of Gurney's work and unique style. Although he doesn't use so many dark colors, his highlights and dazzling style put him right up there with other famous artists such as Caravaggio and Rembrandt. James Gurney has given the world a new way to look at dinosaurs and a very unique way to daydream about those long ago giants.

It is not a surprise then, after learning more about James Gurney and his work, that he is my favorite artist. I think that the way he paints is amazing and beautiful. He is a one of a kind painter and writer, his works of art bringing out the stories with no need for words. Most painters these days are more into abstract or materialistic approaches to art. James Gurney has a more classic feel to his art. Perhaps it is the dinosaurs that give it its dream-like state, or maybe it is the peace between the two species. Whatever it is that makes the paintings of James Gurney special, every fan of his work would agree: his work is so incredibly beautiful and detailed, that its realistic quality is one of the main reasons they keep coming back to view his art.

Any other artist will never outdo James Gurney's paintings of dinosaurs. He is the one and only Gurney. He has an interesting background, wonderful paintings that are filled with light, and anyone can easily see why he is one of my favorite artists. In all of his fantastic paintings, the viewers can almost see the famous Dinotopian phrase come to life: "Breathe Deep, Seek Peace" (Gurney, 55).

Works Cited

Brokehorn. Home Page. 1 Nov. 2003. < http://dinotopia.com >
Gurney, James. Dinotopia: A Land Apart from time. New York: HarperCollins, August 1998.