"An artist's work reflects his particular commitment to life. The fuller the life, the richer the art produced. One must know his subjects in both character and form. I go to the source... nature."

Randal M. Dutra is an artist who both paints and sculpts in the school of impressionism/realism. His subject matter includes the figure, animal and landscape. Randal began his art career studying under Clarence Tillenius at the Okanagan Game Farm in British Columbia, Canada, from 1975 to 1984. These were formative years and instilled in him a lifelong love of observing and capturing the images and forms of nature.

During that time, Dutra also studied figure drawing in 1977 at the Art Students League in New York, and in 1978, painting with Robert Lougheed of Sante Fe, New Mexico. He later furthered his studies with George Carlson and Bob Kuhn. From 1979 to 1981, Dutra learned the art of bronze casting with Piero Mussi, in Berkeley, California. He has traveled extensively in Africa, Europe, Canada, and the United States.

Dutra has exhibited his work at:

• The "Prix de West Invitational" at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
• The "Masters of the American West Invitational" at the Autry Museum in Los Angeles, California.
• J.N. Bartfield Galleries, New York, New York.
• Spanierman Gallery, New York, New York.
• The National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson, Wyoming.
• Collector's Covey, Dallas, Texas.
• The Ponderosa Art Gallery, Hamilton, Montana.
• The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, Wisconsin.
• The Gilcrease Art Museum, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Dutra's work is included in the permanent collections of the National Museum of Wildlife Art and the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. He has served as an instructor of animal sculpture at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco, California. Dutra is also a member of the California Art Club.

Randal says, "My fine art training and discipline is what has made the varied opportunities in my life possible. Nature is the wellspring of anything I do. I am both thankful and grateful for that."

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Randal Dutra is also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, having been nominated for two Academy Awards for best achievement in visual effects for the 1997 film, "Jurassic Park II: The Lost World," and the 2005 film, "War of the Worlds."

Dutra has been a special visual effects artist/consultant for George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and Disney for cinema including; "War of the Worlds", "Star Wars - Return of the Jedi", "Gremlins", "Robocop", "Willow", "The Nightmare Before Christmas", Jurassic Park", "Jurassic Park II: The Lost World", and "101 Dalmatians".