So I spent the afternoon with Jim and Jeanette Gurney today. I can't even begin to tell you what a wonderful experience it was - from the moment they walked into the museum to the moment he autographed my Dinotopia book.

He explained his paintings - how he creates them - what he does to get the lighting, the poses, how he gets the costumes just right. He described the inspiration he found in the cracked paint of a Chinese restaurant's sign. He spoke in detail of the paintings he has loaned us.

And then Jeanette handed me his Moleskine and I was lost in its pages.

I hope I don't find my way out anytime soon...