Paleoart with Ely Kish

What might the dinosaurs have looked like?

Paleo art (Paleoart): artistic achievement that attempts to reconstruct and depict prehistoric life or geological times, according to established knowledge and scientific discoveries at the time of creating the work.

Dinosauroid by Kish, Eleanor M. (Ely)Canadian Museum of Nature / Musée canadien de la nature

Here is an interesting hypothesis.

Tyrannosaurus and Edmontosaurus by Kish, Eleanor M. (Ely)Canadian Museum of Nature / Musée canadien de la nature

The beginnings of Ely Kish

As a paleoartist and sculptor, Ely Kish used to sculpt the dinosaurs she wanted to paint.

Dryptosaurus by Kish, Eleanor M. (Ely)Canadian Museum of Nature / Musée canadien de la nature

Under the direction of Dale Russell, a paleontologist, the creation of sculptures was a necessary step in the creative process, allowing for an authentic representation.

Platecarpus by Kish, Eleanor M. (Ely)Canadian Museum of Nature / Musée canadien de la nature

Saurolophus by Kish, Eleanor M. (Ely)Canadian Museum of Nature / Musée canadien de la nature

She concentrated on her sculpture, working the clay furiously, splashing her co-workers in the process.

Diplodocus by Kish, Eleanor M. (Ely)Canadian Museum of Nature / Musée canadien de la nature

She found herself surrounded by a pool of clay at the end of each workday.

After this crucial step in the process, she could begin to paint on a canvas following the directions of the paleontologists.

Massospondylus by Kish, Eleanor M. (Ely)Canadian Museum of Nature / Musée canadien de la nature

Pachycephalosaurus by Kish, Eleanor M. (Ely)Canadian Museum of Nature / Musée canadien de la nature

Can you find the intruder?

Here it is!

Asteroid impact Extinction Event by Kish, Eleanor M. (Ely)Canadian Museum of Nature / Musée canadien de la nature

Dromiceiomimus by Kish, Eleanor M. (Ely)Canadian Museum of Nature / Musée canadien de la nature

Final word

This series of works was commissioned by the Canadian Museum of Nature and is included in An Odyssey in Time: The Dinosaurs of North America. 

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

Interested in Natural history?

Get updates with your personalized Culture Weekly

You are all set!

Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.

Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites