Here’s a small bit of an illustration from Gwango’s Lonesome Trail.
The illustration was inspired by the above photograph, taken in the summer of 2000. I found this strange skull in the hills of San Jacinto, Ca. It’s made of wood, and sits alongside a collection of other carved skeletons—a Raptor and Pterosaur. I did some research, trying to find the sculptor of the works, but had little success. The sculptures were destroyed the following summer in order to build a housing development. They’ll forever stay a mystery I guess.
Here’s a small bit of an illustration from Gwango’s Lonesome Trail.
The photograph of the dino skull is amazing... VERY IMPRESSIVE!!!!, the drawing is pretty cool too :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, the drawing is great but I feel awful that the sculpture doesn't exist anymore! I wish I had one of those, it's a pity you never found out who did it.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I really like your illustration, and the picture is great.
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame! Great photograph though... and the illustration, of coarse, is top-notch as well. I can't wait for both your and Josh's books to come out.
ReplyDeleteAwesome man!!!Beautiful And Mysterious...
ReplyDeleteI have some news in my blog...
wow, you found a skull!? hot diggity! that's a awesome keeper.
ReplyDeletestuff like that happens too often.
ReplyDeletegreat photo and drawing.
nice, loose treatment
-brian
Thanks for stopping by Greg.
ReplyDeleteI agree Gabriel, it is quite a shame. The entire things kind of a hometown legend now.(Atleast in my mind)
Thanks for stopping by Debralee. And it’s very cool you have a blog now. Your works really great.
Thanks Jared. The book comes out in October, so I’m trying to post some behind the scene kind of stuff.
Thanks Alexei.
Edward, that was actually the same exact terminology I used when first I came upon the dino’s. “Hot Diggity” I said. But I think I added a “Dog” at the end of diggity :)
Brian, I agree completely. Man loves to replace the unique with the uninspired. Welcome to the modern world I guess.
Those wooden skeletal creations were done by a small boy called Darren during an intense period of sleepwalking between the ages of 7 and 9.
ReplyDeleteThen the great mystery is solved, thank you Elliot-- I’ll remember to call upon your services on my next adventure!
ReplyDeleteI know something about everything...
ReplyDeleteAll mysteries solved with a simple question.
I wish I had run across something like that as a young kid. It would practically be a religious experience...
ReplyDeleteThank's for the comment on my blog, more dinosaurs in Art, that's what I say
ReplyDeleteReally wonderful illustration. Nice feeling.
ReplyDeleteThe fact the sculptures are gone is a bummer.
-Ryan
Very cool style. So, why didn't you go and get the wooden skulls before they where destroyed. They would have looked great atop a fireplace mantle...a very big fireplace mantle.
ReplyDeleteWOW!! beautiful take on the photograph!! Love your stylization, NICE ... very NICE!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you think so Nick. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteIt was kind of like a religious experience, Moro. When I found the sculptures, I remember the raptor was being guarded by a noisy rattlesnake. On top of that, the sight lay near a small Indian casino. So it was a bizzare religious experience— but I guess there’s really no other kind.
Mattias, I agree completely.
r.a. macneil, thanks for stopping by
Joe, I didn’t want to steal the sculptures. They were hidden away in the hills, and that’s were they belonged. However if I knew they were going to be destroyed in advance, that would be a different story. I’d probably snatch them in an instant.
Thanks Alina.
Brilliant colors, sir. It's a tragic fate for the sculptures, but I'm glad you were there to document them for the ages.
ReplyDeleteI once came upon a bleached cow vertibre, on a dark mossy forest floor in Meaford Ontario, and it felt like a religous experience. I took it home though. I keep it still, in our bathroom on a shelf.
ReplyDeleteHow big were these sculpts? The one in the photo has a primitive feeling. Quite beautiful. Neat the way they are kind of hidden in the brush. I like the flare in the photo. Your illustration is cool and it really does feel like an extension of the sculpture.
Hello man...to see more sea creatures...please visit my blog!!!
ReplyDeleteWow that's a pretty amazing discovery, I wish I had come across something like that. I really like the illustration.
ReplyDeleteThe Doodlers,
ReplyDeleteThat’s a nice little story. And you keep it on the bathroom shelf? That sure seems like one hell of a bathroom. Maybe I can use it one day?
In regards to the rest of your comment, everything was life-size. The raptor was about five feet tall, the pterosaur’s wing span was probably ten feet wide, and the Rex skull was the size of a washer machine.
I’ll post the rest of the pictures soon.
Thanks for stopping by everyone.
Nice drawing!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I was the one who destroyed those sculptures.. "People got have homes".. That’s what I always say.
-Hurray for pre-fab housing!
Josh, you’re a suburban zombie. Drink some Starbucks, talk it up on your cellular phone, and go rot inside a mini mall.
ReplyDeleteBest regards,
your big brother
They always name the subdivion after what they destroy; maple grove, orchard ln, canyon meadows. What did they end up calling the development?
ReplyDeleteJoe,
ReplyDeleteI don’t know what they ended up calling the neighborhood.
If I was a heartless developer, I would go with these choices:
The Neighborhood that Time Forgot
Stone Age Estates
Dinosaur Heights
And if they decided to turn the space into a trailer park, they could always call it Jurassic Trailer Park or something :)
Nice skull! I've never stolen anything cool either. But if I had found that on a hillside walk I might have taken up a life of crime, or at least a life of questionable ethics.
ReplyDeleteAre those Parpan girls fighting again? Griefousness!
ReplyDeleteLovely pic and great backstory regarding the inspiration. I always love to hear about how things come about, especially paintings and pieces of art. Heck, maybe the sculptor had seen one of your drawings and that inspired him/her to do that skull! Now THAT'd be a funny old chicken/egg tale...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteJeff, I’m glad my little story made you consider a life of crime. Boy, what a compliment!
ReplyDeleteMr. Curtis, sorry for the bickering. Next time if I have something offensive to tell my brother, I’ll give it to him in person like a normal lad :)
Hello man...i have news in my blog...
ReplyDeletelove your work...
Give over, I'm all for sibling punch-ups. I say we vote to see Parpan versus Parpan in some kind of wicker cage showdown.
ReplyDelete"TWO PARPANS ENTER! ONE PARPAN LEAVES!"
;-D
Mr. Bling, that’s the best idea I’ve heard all week
ReplyDeleteThat is a sad story. Leave you mark. Piss wide and far or they will bury you forever.
ReplyDeleteI agree William. One day I want to rebuild these sculptures. Maybe that will restore some dignity back to the man who created them?
ReplyDeleteHow can they destroyed the sculpters?!!They seemed to be great!!!
ReplyDelete