Everything started inconspicuously… SVPCA, lethargic rodent presentation (very sorry rodents!) and my mind reeling by a fantastic suggestion of Mark Wildman… what can you do? Start doodling! From doodling anywhere I could, to formal pencil leading inevitably to the final thing… The corridors of meetings like SVPCA or SVP are the source of so much paleontological riches!
The fact is that there’s evidence of T. rex teeth marks on the coronoid process of the lower jaw of a Triceratops (as shown in this display in the Carter County Museum). The rex pulling on the trikes’ skull brought me nightmarish images of its final decapitation! And thanks to Mark Wildman (and Andrew Parisi for the picture) for pointing out that this is not the only known lower jaw from a Triceratops showing the teeth marks… With the head shield out of the way, T. rex would have been able to expose the neck, even if the skin was protected with parallel rows of square scales as we know from the -still unpublished- evidence, it must have been an irresistible delicacy for a bunch of carcass-feasting T. rexes. That way they could pick and choose… initially avoiding the well protected spiky parts of the body!
At the end I have no doubt that very little of the body remained, probably except the, mostly, not very fleshy skull… maybe that is why we find so many skull remains and so little at the level of whole skeletons.
Food for the mind like this is what is still providing me the thrills to continue my work. Whenever something entices me I immediately jump to the challenge. Nowadays I care so much more about new, provocative ideas than technical art achievements! My advice to new paleoartists is: forget obsessing with technicalities and get into conceiving new scenarios, new looks, new ideas! These days it is becoming difficult to create novel alternative illustrations in the middle of the maelstrom of so much Paleoart.
This is a formal request: any reader of this blog that comes with a really interesting, new, provocative vision (like Mike Kelly has been providing us with lately) just get in touch… If you’d like to see something that really tickles my fancy you will definitively see it realised by yours truly if it pleases you!
Luis V. Rey Blog 
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Dear Mr. Rey,
Hello! I am the Andrew Parisi who helped Mark Wildman find the triceratops fossil! I love the picture, and have always wanted a copy for my office. It just took me over a year to realise I could ask you. How much would it cost for you to produce a copy? Thanks in advance, and I hope to hear from you soon,
Yours truly,
Andrew Parisi
Many thanks four your comments . I could send you an A3 poster (£10 plus postage)… in case you want something bigger our different I would have to ask. And congratulations for tour work!
Hello Mr. Rey,
A3 would be wonderful. I’d actually like to get two copies, if you don’t mind. Let me know how you would like me to send your payment.
-Andrew
Many tha`nks. Please let me have your address. You can pay me via Paypal if you don’t mind. But first let me have your details so I can prepare true package. Once I sent it I’ll let you know. All the best. Do you have e-mail? I think we better continue this via e-mail.
Hello again (after all this time), I think I missed your reply and got busy (especially finding more dino bones), but I’ve been wishing I had finished this conversation ever since. My e-mail is AndrewParisiGeology@Gmail.com. I don’t have a PayPal, but would set one up if it’s easiest for you. I currently am at the Department of Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences at UCLA in Los Angeles.
I’m sorry to have appeared out of thin air again after more than two years. But I do love the picture, I think it’s my favorite Dinosaur picture by far.
-Andrew
Hello again (after all this time),
I fear I missed your response, became busy with work, and completely forgot about this conversation. If it’s not too late, I’d still like to buy a poster please. I don’t have PayPal, but would be happy to set one up if that’s what’s easiest for you. I’m currently living in Los Angeles, California, and am working at the department of Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences at UCLA. My e-mail is AndrewParisiGeology@Gmail.com
I’m sorry to have re-appeared after more than two years, but I do love the picture. It might be my favorite dinosaur image of all time!