FITZ
Behind the brush
ROAR
My Dinosaur Roar Turns on the Moon at Night in Chicagoland 2024 Fitz
Frank Fitzgerald, an artist born in Chicago and raised in its northern suburbs, holds a strong academic background in art. He earned his B.S. in art from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1991, followed by an M.F.A. in painting and printmaking from Northwestern University in 1994, where he notably studied under and assisted Chicago painter Ed Paschke. His early career was marked by recognition, including the "Best of Show" award for his collage "Oklahoma City" at the 1995 "Figurative Abstraction" group show, juried by Ed Paschke himself.
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For over three decades, Fitzgerald has been a dedicated art educator, teaching diverse age groups across the Chicagoland area, most notably kindergarten through second grade at Spaulding School in Gurnee. Beyond the classroom, Fitz's artistic practice centers on the playful and surreal interpretation of landscapes, showcased in numerous exhibitions. He's an active member of local art communities, including the Dandelion Artistic Allegiance and the Grayslake Arts Alliance. In recent years, Fitzgerald has expanded his reach through "The Mr. Fitzy Painting Show" and "The Mr. Fitzy and Amelia Drawing Show," engaging wider audiences through television and YouTube, and is currently developing a Storytime series and children's books, all while continuing to live and create in Lindenhurst with his family.
The true story of my pet dinosaur Roar began when I first started teaching art over 30 years ago. I was out taking my nightly walk along Lake Michigan when I saw a large bluish green egg floating near the shore. Since it was too big to be a chicken egg, I assumed that it must be an ostrich. I carefully loaded it on top of my blanket, into my trusty red wagon, and wheeled the egg home. After two weeks under a heat lamp, I heard a loud crack and to my amazement a tiny T-Rex peeked his cute little head out and smiled and cried.
I know what you are thinking. Impossible! Dinosaurs are extinct! That's what I thought...As it turns out there was one very special dinosaur that had been waiting for millions of years at the bottom of Lake Michigan for just the right time to hatch. Well, I did the best that I could and I taught him to talk and now I have a pet T-Rex! Roar even got a job! At night, Roar turns on the Moon! I know what you are thinking. Impossible! The Moon is very far away and there is no oxygen in outer space. Well Roar and I visited many fire stations and bought some older fire ladders and connected them together he wears a space helmet so he can breathe! Each night he says "Howdy Moon!" and the Moon says "Howdy Roar!" and then he pulls on the chain to light up the Moon. Then Roar says "See you tomorrow, Moon!" and the Moon says "See you later alligator!" Then Roar says "After a while crocodile!" Now Roar is a friendly T-Rex and he sleeps in my garage. I know a spell that turns him into a Pinata so that I can bring him back and forth to school each day. I know what you are thinking. Prove it! Turn him into a real dinosaur.
Unfortunately, no pets with claws and sharp teeth are allowed at school and he would not fit through the door anyway. I created this painting to prove to my students that Roar is real. Over the years my students and their families have peeked out their windows to try to get a glimpse of Roar turning on the Moon at Night. While he does his best to hide behind the clouds and avoid being seen sometimes the children have caught a glimpse or two! We learn about fiction
and non fiction in elementary school. Sometimes the children tell me that I am a liar and that Roar is fake! I prefer to be known as a storyteller. I will leave it up to you to decide for yourself if my dinosaur Roar is real or imaginary. I dedicate this painting to all my wonderful students and their families at Spaulding School where I teach art! Keep painting!
—Mr. Fitzy