Much of Gaylord's earlier years were spent on adventures around the globe. These quests encompassed camera safaris to the Kalahari Desert of Africa, anthropological research on the native tribes of the Amazon River, studies of Mayan ruins of Chitchen Itza in the Yukatan Peninsula, to the ancient world of Alexander the Great, from Syria to Mongolia.

All of these places and experiences have had a causal effect leading to the exotic nuances, romantic spirit, and sometimes a primeval quintessence found in Gaylord's paintings. With his extraordinary talent, Gaylord produces work of enormous impact and unusual sensuousness; that is filled with primal mystery.

Gaylord's artwork is imbued with a feeling of freedom and spontaneity in both image and technique. Thematically, an idea is allowed a metamorphosis, to expand and grow as the work is executed. Lines, figures, textures and colors evolve as the work progresses until the final stroke makes the statement of completion.