I have always been interested in dinosaurs, after seeing the Life Magazine pictures of dinosaurs many years ago.

Many years ago, we went to visit my uncle in Minnesota. He said, "I have some equipment here that you are going to buy. I know you will enjoy using this equipment." It was like a command, so I bought rock jewelry making equipment for $25.00. I found I did enjoy working with rocks of all different colors. I started going to rock shows and that led me to dinosaur bones, manure, teeth, claws, skin, and gastroliths. I started collecting petrified dinosaur bones and manure. I framed large posters of dinosaurs and that led me to wanting someone to paint dinosaur pictures for me. My sister painted one dinosaur picture, but she had other pictures she wanted to paint, so I just started painting my own dinosaur paintings. My only art training was in a one room country grade school, which didn’t amount to much. I have been to Western Illinois University for one year and two quarters. No art courses were taken. Uncle Sam stopped my college life and sent me to Okinawa as a tail gunner on a B-29, so the only school I graduated from after high school was Aerial Gunnery School.

I had a terrible time drawing dinosaurs on canvas and was making a mess of my work. So I drew dinosaurs on poster paper so I could draw and erase until my drawings looked more like dinosaurs. I then would cut out the dinosaur picture and use them as stencils: and draw around them on canvas.

Art critics have told me, "You can’t paint, but don’t stop painting and never take lessons as no one paints like you do, you are different. If you take lessons, your paintings will look like everyone else’s and you won’t be noticed." So, what you see in my show is my attempt at painting.

My advice to you is, if you want to paint, just strike out on your own and always paint what you like. Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks. If you like your paintings, that is good enough in my opinion, but don't be afraid to take lessons if you want too.

I belong to the Fulton County Rock Hounders in Canton, Illinois and the Intermountain Natural History Association in Vernal, Utah.

I don’t believe my paintings need explanations. They are what you see. I hope you enjoy my artwork. This art show is one of my 72nd Birthday presents.

-George Hutson