The Paleontology of Chris Wildrick Is Overrated: Artist Interviews, 2007-present
As part of his project to study dinosaur aesthetics, or why we think dinosaurs looked the way we think they looked, Chris is interviewing some of the people most involved in creating our perceptions of dinosaurs: the artists who draw, paint, design, model, illustrate, animate, and otherwise create images of dinosaurs.
These interviews take place over the phone and by email. The phone interviews, which are recorded, will all eventually be transcribed so that they will be available in both audio and text versions, but are now only available as audio files. Interviews vary in length and topic, based on how much time the artists were able to spare from their very busy schedules, their particular areas of expertise, recent projects of interest, etc.
When possible, Chris has added a link to the artists' own personal website as well.
Chris would like to thank all these artists for participating in this project. They have all been extremely kind with their time and thoughts, which reflect just how much consideration and effort goes into their works.
Michael Emberley, celebrated children's book artist and writer, creator of the how-to-draw Dinosaurs! and More Dinosaurs! books. Phone interview. (This is an hour-long conversation, so it is about 27 MB). Michael Emberley's personal website: http://www.michaelemberley.com/
Matthew Reinhart, renowned pop-up book artist, creator of Encyclopedia Prehistorica: Dinosaurs with Michael Sabuda. Phone interview. (This is a 30 minute conversation, so it is about 14 MB.) Matthew Reinhart's personal site: http://www.matthewreinhart.com/
James Gurney, Hugo-winner and creator of the Dinotopia series. Email interview. James Gurney's personal sites: http://www.jamesgurney.com/, http://www.dinotopia.com/
John Sibbick, acclaimed paleo-artist who has worked with National Geographic, the BBC, and the National History Museum in London, as well as being the illustrator on many books such as The Illustrated Book of Dinosaurs and The Evolution and Extinction of Dinosaurs. Email interview. John Sibbick's personal site: http://www.johnsibbick.com/
Jeff Ballinger was my very first test interview, in a proto version of this project in 2005. He was a BFA student in design at SIUC and he showed a series of paleo-art drawings as his thesis exhibition. The field of paleo-art has a very wide range of practictioners, from hobbyists to highly engaged and skilled amateurs to professionals. While Jeff may not yet have achieved the level of some of the other interviewees in this series, I think his thoughts nicely illustrate the diversity of points of view that can be found in this field. Live interview. (Approximately 10 minutes and 5 MB.)