I was fascinated with natural history for most of my life and so after attaining my B.F.A. from the University of Southern California I began assisting in field expeditions, and laboratory work for the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles.
The NHMLAC (Natural History Museum of Los Angeles) has bestowed upon me an understanding of the scientific process that I may not otherwise been afforded by any other means. Long term projects like the Tyrannosaurus rex named “Thomas”, and the museum’s newest Triceratops mount, served as fantastic learning experiences for me as I participated in the process of excavation, preparation, and curation, while producing artwork for exhibits and publications.
As an artist I use traditional and digital illustration techniques to deliver accurate interpretive graphics and images for publications, exhibit display, and consultation for visual effects. As with sculpting, I try to work directly with the specimen that I intend to illustrate, but I also rely on science journals, photographs, and sometimes work closely with a paleontologist.
In other industries I work as representational sculptor for fine artists, museums and zoos usually within the confines of portraiture and animal figures. In the toy industry I worked primarily on collectable lines of licensed characters ranging from animated to live action, and comic book properties.
Although working is nice, I tend to spend my free time traveling, drawing in my sketch book or ipad, sculpting in clay or on the computer, and making artwork that I believe is interesting, and worthwhile to me. I also consider myself a lifelong learner, so I am usually attending classes/workshops, or simply reading books from a range of subjects including history, science, art, computer arts, and philosophy.
The NHMLAC (Natural History Museum of Los Angeles) has bestowed upon me an understanding of the scientific process that I may not otherwise been afforded by any other means. Long term projects like the Tyrannosaurus rex named “Thomas”, and the museum’s newest Triceratops mount, served as fantastic learning experiences for me as I participated in the process of excavation, preparation, and curation, while producing artwork for exhibits and publications.
As an artist I use traditional and digital illustration techniques to deliver accurate interpretive graphics and images for publications, exhibit display, and consultation for visual effects. As with sculpting, I try to work directly with the specimen that I intend to illustrate, but I also rely on science journals, photographs, and sometimes work closely with a paleontologist.
In other industries I work as representational sculptor for fine artists, museums and zoos usually within the confines of portraiture and animal figures. In the toy industry I worked primarily on collectable lines of licensed characters ranging from animated to live action, and comic book properties.
Although working is nice, I tend to spend my free time traveling, drawing in my sketch book or ipad, sculpting in clay or on the computer, and making artwork that I believe is interesting, and worthwhile to me. I also consider myself a lifelong learner, so I am usually attending classes/workshops, or simply reading books from a range of subjects including history, science, art, computer arts, and philosophy.
RESUME:
Doyle Trankina
Education
Bachelors of Fine Arts, University of Southern California. May, 2004
USC Presidential Scholarship, and Friends of Fine Arts Scholarship
Work Experience
°Fossil Preparator / Sculptor. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. CA. 01/02- ongoing
About 10 years of field experience, assisting in the collection of Mesozoic fossils during expeditions to Montana, Utah, Arizona, Mohave, CA, and New Mexico. Worked extensively in conservation, while producing artwork, and replicas for publication, and exhibits.
°Sculptor. Charles Ray Studios. CA. 06/08- ongoing
Hand sculpting, and pattern finishing for works by the artist Charles Ray. Traditional techniques in oil and water-based clays, and plater-based/stone masters, in creating representational sculptures that are typically reproduced in metal, fiberglass or ceramic.
°Sculptor / Prototyper. Hot Buttered Elves. El Segundo, CA. 11/05 – 2/07
Sculpted toys and collectables based on licensed live action, animated, or comic book characters. Clients included Lucas Films Ltd, Disney, Pixar, Mattel, Jakks Pacific, and Zizzle.
°Figurative Sculptor. Danielle Anjou. Santa Barbara, CA. 4/05-6/05
Assisted artists Danielle Anjou, and Suton Betti on a series of olympian/athlete nudes for bronze.
Exhibits
Los Angeles Zoo. Summer 2013-ongoing
Produced several models for the new rain forest and kids activity area. Models were hand sculpted and painted to be realistic and durable, and intended for tounching by the public. Plants of the rain forests of South America and california native animals.
°Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. CA.
Sculptor / Illustrator / Preparator. Dinosaur Hall
Produced several skeletal and life reconstructions of dinosaurs through sculpture and illustration. Projects included a baby Tyrannosaurus rex, a hurd of Fruitadens haggaorum, a skull of Mamenchisaurus and partial skull for a baby Edmontosaurus. Assisted in the collection and preparation of several specimens including Thomas (T. rex), a Triceratops, and Gnataly (a sauropod). Produced interpretive graphics, and replicas for interactive displays.
Sculptor / Fabricator: Dogs: Wolf, Myth, Hero, Friend
A nationally touring exhibit focused on the evolution and domestication of canines. Produced life size anatomical models of dogs, and assisted in producing interpretive displays and dioramas.
Artist / Fabricator: Tinniest Giants:
Based on the findings in 1997 in Argentina of the largest dinosaur nesting site ever discovered. Assisted in producing models, and dioramas mostly as a fabricator and painter.
Skills
Software: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Silo, Maya, Zbrush.
Sculpture: oil/water based clays and wax, foam carving, 3d printing, mold making, and prototyping/fabrication
Illustration: Traditional and digital rendering, quick rendering in pencil, and marker, acrylic and oil painting
