Artist Statement
For a long time, I struggled with the choice between a science career
and an art career. I reconnected with my creative side towards the
end of my PhD, and I'm now thrilled to be able to combine my passions by pursuing art in the service of science. I am especially interested in developing illustrations for education and outreach.
In many of my pieces, I explore the diversity of the natural world and
the organization of spaces and things, inspired by my scientific work
on object recognition in the brain.
I see art as a conversation, and enjoy creating visual narratives that connect or generate ideas with the goal of facilitating learning and understanding. I'm especially interested in the natural world and science education for all ages.
Education
Formal:
Certificate, Natural Science Illustration
University of Washington (2019)
PhD, Neuroscience
University of Washington (2017)
BS, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Maryland, Baltimore County (2010)
BA, Ancient Studies
University of Maryland, Baltimore County (2010)
Informal:
Science Communication Fellow, Pacific Science Center, Seattle WA (2012-2017)
Studio art lessons
Ksenya Litvak, Artichoke Art Studio
(2002-2010)
NHI101x: Natural History Illustration
edX.org (completed 2018)
Proficiency
Traditional media:
Specializing in:
watercolor, oils, mixed media
Additional media:
graphite, scratchboard, inks, acrylic
Digital media:
Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator)
Procreate
Sketchbook Pro
Group Exhibits
Current:
Changing Tides: the Art of Environmental Stewardship, Coos Art Museum
'GRFT (Griffithsia pacifica)'
Coos Bay, OR (Jul 2023-Sept 2023)
Upcoming:
The Hidden Specimen, Puget Sound Museum of Natural History
'Goliathus goliatus' Explorations I-III
Tacoma, WA (Aug 2023-Oct 2023)
Past:
Natural Science Art Show, Greenwood Art Collective
Seattle, WA (Jan 2023)
Virtual Juried Art Show, Shoreline Arts Festival (juried exhibit)
'Coven' and 'Grandiflora'
Virtual (Jun 2021-Jul 2021)
Summer Exhibit, Jansen Art Center (juried exhibit)
'Heartsease' and 'Lavandula'
Lynden, WA (Jun 2021-Aug 2021)
Tiny Works Show, Seattle Art Post Gallery Pop-up
'Bloom'
Kirkland, WA (Dec 2020)
14th Annual Holiday Mini Art Exhibit, Ghost Gallery
'Douglas Fir', 'Lorquin's Admiral', 'Orca'
Seattle, WA (Dec 2020-Jan 2021)
*Miniature Masterpieces, Tsuga Fine Art (juried exhibit)
'Heartsease' and 'Lavandula'
Bothell, WA (Nov 2019-Jan 2020)
*First Place awarded for Heartsease
THE BUG SHOW, Plank Studios
'Coven'
Seattle, WA (Nov-Dec 2019)
Efflorescence, UW Natural Science Illustration Program Cohort Exhibit
'Preening I'
@ Plank Studios, Lowercase Brewing,
Los Pajaros Studio, UW Allen Library
Seattle, WA/Redmond, WA
(June-Oct 2019)
Art Neureau, Fremont Abbey
Seattle, WA (June 2019)
Art Neureau, Fremont Abbey
Seattle, WA (2013)
Annual student exhibit
Artichoke Art Studio
Gaithersburg, MD (2002-2006)