Welcome to Jurassic Park (1993) Concept Art by David J. Negron Sr.

Check out Jurassic Park (1993) concept art by David J. Negron Sr.!

Welcome to "Flashback Friday" where I feature artwork from classic science-fiction movies or tv shows. Today's feature is Jurassic Park (1993).

It's sad to say we lost a masterful artist last month. Dave J. Negron Sr. the concept illustrator and storyboard artist for such classics as Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, and Star Trek: The Motion Picture passed away in October. His family told Deadline that he died peacefully in his sleep on October 12, 2021.

The man was a visionary whose legacy transcended the films he worked on. So much so that he was inducted into the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences in 1997.

The bio for his website gives a short summary of his life and many accomplishments:

David J. Negron holds a Bachelor of Professional Arts "with distinction" from the world-renowned Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. After some years as a movie artist and art director, he became an instructor at the same school. In addition, he cameo' a B.A. degree in mathematics from Baylor University. He was voted into the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. In 2011 he was inducted into Marquis Who's Who. Negron has received many awards and recognition From numerous one-man shows, exhibitions, and special television appearances. He has also conducted many seminars and lectures in Universities and Museums. He is nationally known in the motion picture industry For his artwork in movies such as Hello Dolly, Jurassic Park, Rambo Iii, and Raiders of the Lost Ark. He has won awards for his poster work, one being Dog- Day Afternoon. His Fine art pieces have been featured in publications such as Southwest Art and Northlight - his movie art in Premiere and Star Trek magazines and Raiders of the Ark Art Collector's Album. 

His paintings are owned by many influential art connoisseurs including Steven Spielberg- and the Disney Family. Samples of his work hang at J. Walter Thompson Advertising. Times Mirror Press, Disneyland and Disnegworlcl in France. Herbert Roman, California Artist once said of him: "...His dedicated convictions in the very best traditions of the giants in the rich heritage of the past brings an energetic, dramatic and sensitive quality to his work." Negrc5n has a gift for expressing a zest For lire on canvas in a touching, enduring, and colorful Fashion. His contemporaries hold him in high esteem and recognize his mature talent as one of a great American Modem Impressionist. 

In 2012 I had the pleasure of interviewing his son David J. Negron Jr. for his work on Peter Berg's film Battleship. While the movie was not a commercial success his professionalism shines in his work ethic. 

 I still laugh at his short story. "All in all, I was on the show for about eight months and produced probably the most amount of storyboards for a film in my 24-year career," he told me. "[Berg] looked at [the storyboards], then walked right past me and gave me one of those football slaps on the butt and said 'good job!'  I think that meant he liked it."

While it's impossible to encapsulate David J. Negron Sr.'s entire career his work on Jurassic Park (1993) are some of my favorites from the film.

Click on the images to enlarge

Reference: Deadline

About Jurassic Park (1993)

Official synopsis: "Genetically engineered dinosaurs run amok at a tycoon's island amusement park. Based on Michael Crichton's novel."
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Cinematography by Dean Cundey
Production Design by Rick Carter
"Jurassic Park" stars Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Bob Peck, Martin Ferrero, B. D. Wong, Joseph Mazzello, Ariana Richards, Samuel L. Jackson, Wayne Knight, Jerry Molen
"Jurassic Park" was released on June 11, 1993 (United States)

© Copyright 1993 Amblin Entertainment, Universal Pictures, and David J. Negron Sr. All rights reserved.

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