Gerald grew up in the Hopi village of Munqapi, Arizona and the Cherokee woods of Oklahoma. Gerald's interest in art led to a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art from the University of Arizona (U of A). After completing his degree, Gerald worked with the Arizona State Museum as an exhibit specialist and interned with the National Museum of American Indian, Smithsonian Institute. His internship led to a children's book entitled "The Butterfly Dance," in which Gerald is Author and Illustrator.