Gerald Gaitan, a longtime artist and cartoonist, has spent over six decades sharing his love of drawing and creativity. Born in San Bernardino and raised in Colton, Gerald discovered his passion for art at the age of five. “I started drawing on the dirt with a tree branch,” Gerald recalled. “I just fell in love with it. Every chance I got, I grabbed a pencil and a piece of paper and started drawing whatever I saw.” Remarkably, he attributes his talent to natural ability, noting he never took an art class—his creativity simply came to him.
Though Gerald initially studied retinal photography, life led him down a different path. He became a groundskeeper for the Colton School District, a position he held for 20 years until retirement. Yet this unexpected career choice turned out to be a blessing. While working at Plymouth Village, a retirement community, Gerald met Dick Bickenbach, a layout artist for Warner Brothers, MGM Studios, and Hanna-Barbera Studios. Before his passing, Bickenbach entrusted Gerald with model sheets used in Hanna-Barbera productions, a gift that would profoundly influence Gerald’s artistic journey.
Meeting Bickenbach also opened doors for Gerald to inspire others. “When I started working for the school district, I was invited into classrooms to talk about artwork and future goals for students,” he said. “I enjoyed encouraging kids to follow their dreams.” This mentorship role gave Gerald a sense of purpose, especially as he had faced many rejections in the art world himself. Over time, his artwork was published in magazines and books, including the Gold Prospectors Association of America publications and Bird Talk Magazine. He even designed a character for the Sheriff Search and Rescue Department—a canine rescuer awarded for its design.
Throughout his career, Gerald met some of the pioneers of animation. He became friends with Joe Barbera of Hanna-Barbera and met the last four surviving members of Walt Disney’s famed “Nine Old Men,” including Mark Davis. Gerald fondly recalls his relationship with Davis’s wife, Alice Davis, who became like an adopted grandmother to him. Alice Davis was instrumental in creating costumes for Pirates of the Caribbean, It’s a Small World, and the TV series Toby Tyler. “I said, can I call you grandma? She said, sure,” Gerald shared.
For young artists, Gerald offers advice drawn from his own experiences and the wisdom of Alice Davis: “Look up once in a while. You’re so busy looking down at your cell phones that you’re missing the world around you.” He encourages aspiring artists to persevere, regardless of setbacks or rejection. “If you’ve got a dream, follow it. Put your time into it. Don’t ever give up on a hobby you enjoy,” he said.
Gerald’s affiliation with City News Group stems from both a professional and personal alignment. He appreciates the newspaper’s informative content and Christian values, noting that it offers something unique in today’s media landscape.
From drawing in the dirt as a child to mentoring students, meeting animation legends, and contributing published work to various outlets, Gerald Gaitan’s journey is a testament to persistence, passion, and the joy of sharing art with others. For him, cartooning isn’t just a profession—it’s a lifelong calling that continues to bring smiles to readers and inspiration to the next generation of artists.