Dispatches from Himmapaanland: Dakota

Dispatches from Himmapaanland Illustration Museums

Dakota the Edmontosaurus dinomummy returns to public view in a new exhibition by the North Dakota Geological Survey’s Paleontology division, which opened just over a week ago on October 16th at the North Dakota Heritage Centre. Specifically, Dakota’s exquisitely preserved right hand and tail are currently on display.

I’m sincerely honoured (and more than a little struck by Imposter Syndrome) to have been commissioned for an illustration for the exhibit; my first in a museum.

My profound thanks to palaeontologists and curators, Becky Barnes and Clint Boyd for their infinite patience with me. To Becky in particular for suggesting me for the commission in the first place. Thank you so much.

Since it’s Dakota’s right hand on display, it would have been more pertinent for me to have drawn this facing the right. Fortunately, it still works when mirrored. ^_^;

Although I haven’t yet seen the extent of the illustration’s usage, I’ve been reliably informed that it’s in prominent use throughout the exhibit. So far, I’ve glimpsed a cropped version of it for some signage from a short clip taken by a visitor. If any of our readers do manage to visit and are able to share some photographs from it, I’d be thrilled!

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1 Comment

  • Reply
    George Starr
    October 26, 2021 at 4:41 pm

    Congrats! That’s a beautiful illustration. I love the heft and weight you give to your reconstructed animals, it always gives them a great sense of realism. 🙂

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