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Three Dimensional Designs How to Prepare Models

JNSI_Roth_Printed SnailThree-Dimensional Design: How to Prepare Models

- By Mieke Roth

< Figure 1. 3D Printed Snail. All images © 2023 Mieke Roth 

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Journal of Natural Science Illustration Volume 55, No. 2: Abstracts

JSNI 55_2 CoverJournal of Natural Science Illustration Volume 55, No. 2: Abstracts

Welcome to the second Journal edition of 2023!

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Journal of Nature Science Illustrators Volume 55, No. 1: Abstracts

JNSI_2023-1Journal of Natural Science Illustration Volume 55, No. 1: Abstracts

Welcome to the first Journal edition of 2023! 

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Member Spotlight - Sara Lynn Cramb

Cramb_Fig 1Member Spotlight - Sara Lynn Cramb

Sara can often be found drawing in her studio with some tea, lazy cats dozing nearby, with a view of the Alaska Range out her window.

< All images © 2023 Sara Lynn Cramb unless otherwise noted. 50 States map art from Smithsonian Young Explorers Fact Book & Floor Puzzle: 50 States, published by Silver Dolphin Books. Illustration © Silver Dolphin Books.
 

I like to say that I draw things for a living. It’s what I’ve wanted to do for as long as I can remember. I grew up in rural Ohio and had abundant time to explore outside when the weather was agreeable, and a wonderful library of beautifully illustrated children's books to pore over when it was not. I illustrated stories on loose sheets of paper that my mom helped me staple together into makeshift books. I wanted to be like my idols: children's illustrators Jan Brett, Eric Carle, and Charley Harper. 

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Book Review: The Cold Canyon Fire Journals: Green Shoots and Silver Linings in the Ashes, by Robin Lee Carlson

Carlson_01Book Review: The Cold Canyon Fire Journals: Green Shoots and Silver Linings in the Ashes, by Robin Lee Carlson

Reviewed by Linda M. Feltner

Robin Lee Carlson’s book is an up–close–and–very– personal study of fire’s relationship with Stebbins Cold Canyon ecosystems. Her familiarity with this canyon grew through many years of walking, observing, and sketching in the Reserve. She watched with sadness and grief as her familiar trails and forested canyons succumbed to wildfire. Her journey begins armed with her scientific background, creative and curious mind, while she devotedly recorded its recovery.

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Book Review: Building Science Graphics

BSG CoverBuilding Science Graphics: An Illustrated Guide to Communicating Science with Diagrams and Visualizations by Jen Christiansen

Book review by Diogo Guerra, medical illustrator

Building Science Graphics is a new practical guide written and designed by science communicator Jen Christiansen, Senior Graphics Editor at Scientific American, and published by CRC Press.

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Creating a Fine Art Painting: From Research to Exhibit

Hunter_01Creating a Fine Art Painting: From Research to Exhibit
by Erin E. Hunter

Erin E. Hunter’s most ambitious piece yet is “Look Closer,” a large painting of California native bees and wildflowers that anchored a 2022 solo show at the San Francisco Botanical Garden. She tells the story of its creation – inspiration to process – from the sketching, designing and painting, to presenting the piece in multiple formats to various audiences.

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Journal of Natural Science Illustration / Volume 54 Number 3 Abstracts

JNSIcover2022_3Journal of Natural Science Illustration Volume 54, No. 3: Abstracts

Welcome to the third Journal edition of 2022!
To inspire you, we offer you excellent and innovative stories in this issue. The journal begins with a recap of our third online Visual SciComm Conference, an introduction to 19th century author and illustrator William Hamilton Gibson, Erin E. Hunter’s process for creating a large pollinator piece of artwork, a book review about the Cold Canyon Fires, an article about modern Medical Illustrators’ challenges, some photoshop tips for your traditional illustrations, an overview of Kathleen Garness’ grant project identifying orchids, and a Memoriam to the late illustrator Peg Estey. Thank you to all our contributors!

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Cayuga Lake Floating Classroom Decal Project

JNSI_Cayuga Lake_Decal 1

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Cayuga Lake Floating Classroom Decal Project

- Elizabeth Morales, Marla Coppolino, Carla DeMello, Lucy Gagliardo, and Annie Zygarowicz



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Journal of Natural Science Illustration / Volume 54 No. 2

JNSI Cover 2_2022Journal of Natural Science Illustration Volume 54, No. 2: Abstracts

Welcome to the second Journal edition of 2022!
To inspire you, we offer you excellent and innovative stories in this issue, ranging from affordable 2D and 3D renderers, an overview of the 2022 Visual SciComm Conference, a decal project at Cayuga Lake, selected artworks from the graduating class of CSUMB program, and watercolor paper tests by Kathryn Killackey. Thank you to all of our contributors!

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Journal Of Natural Science Illustration / Volume 54 No.1

JNSIcover-2022_Vol. 54 No. 1Journal Of Natural Science Illustration / Volume 54, No. 1: Abstracts

Welcome to the first Journal edition of 2022! 
To inspire you, we offer you the excellent and innovative stories in this issue, ranging from communication and collaboration, inspiration on a career path, a book review on ink drawing techniques, to information on programs at RISD; along with summarized discussions from our GNSI Listserv. And last but not least, a page of lovely sketchbook art from Carol Schwartz. Thank you to all of our contributors!

Log in to your member account to view the Journal: JNSI 2022, volume 54, number 1
Not yet a subscriber? To view the issue for free, become a GNSI member today!

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GNSI 2021 Special Projects Award: Joel Floyd

GNSI 2021 Special Projects Award: Joel Floyd

Presented by GNSI President Kalliopi Monoyios at the All-Member Open Board Meeting on August 4th, 2021

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GNSI Conference’s Role in Re-defining Scientific Illustration as a Profession

For the most part, scientific illustration is a comparatively conservative field.  Perhaps the most basic definition of scientific illustration is “images created to help facilitate communication among scientists.”  If this were the sole definition, then accuracy, clarity, and an understanding of what scientists need and want might be the only “givens” to consider.  However, almost since “true” scientific illustration emerged during the Renaissance, it is not scientists alone who were the recipients of the information that can be conveyed by drawings of scientific subject matter.  Today, audiences for scientific illustration include children, adult members of the general public and students of all ages and levels, as well as scientists (natural, physical and social).  

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Book Review: Natural History Illustration in Pen and Ink, by Sarah Morrish

Helicoid shellBook Review: Natural History Illustration in Pen and Ink, by Sarah Morrish

Reviewed by Camille Werther

There are few instructional books that are dedicated to the use of traditional pen and ink materials in natural history illustration. Those interested in developing those skills now have a new reference thanks to GNSI member, Sarah Morrish, who has written Natural History Illustration in Pen and Ink. The beautifully illustrated book provides instruction for both the beginner and the experienced illustrator who is looking for inspiration or new ways to combine media. Morrish is an illustrator for Curtis’s Botanical Magazine and has produced work for the Natural History Museum in London. 

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GNSI Conference: Making Social Connections,

GNSI Conference: Making Social Connections

by Scott Rawlins

GNSISocialConnectionsIn this age of information with instant messaging and “fingertouch” communication, it’s sometimes hard to imagine a world where the best ways to connect with distant relatives, friends and colleagues was by mailed letters and long-distance phone calls.  One of the reasons why the Guild came into existence was to provide easier communication among members and to give them a venue to hone skills, share experiences and strengthen friendships.  Probably the best way to achieve this goal is participation in the annual conference.  
 
Despite advances in technology that allow for faster, more effective communication, there is no substitute for face-to-face interactions.  This is especially obvious to those of us who have been most profoundly affected by the social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.  While it’s true that social and professional network sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. are somewhat effective substitutes for real-time, in-person interactions, and our recent conferences have offered chances for those who cannot travel to connect on a personal level to a degree, there is something special about being able to occupy the same space as those with whom you are socializing.
 
Guild conferences have always provided members with numerous opportunities to connect – with friends and colleagues who really understand what scientific illustration is about and are familiar with the joys and concerns experienced by those of us who are not exactly scientists and not exactly fine artists (though there are those who are both and those who are neither).  It has been said that in order to advance in the world it’s important to cultivate relationships – it’s “who you know” that is most important.  While this might sound somewhat cynical, the truth is that at Guild conferences this kind of networking requires no effort.  Friendship, mentorship, collegiality and comradeship are givens.  The past two years have alerted us to the value of personal interaction – whether in person or online.  Let’s continue to connect through our local chapter and group meetings and especially events like annual conferences!

GNSI Local Chapters: https://www.gnsi.org/local-chapters

Book Review: Natural History of Edward Lear, New Edition, by Robert McCracken Peck

Lear 1Book Review: Natural History of Edward Lear, New Edition, by Robert McCracken Peck foreword by David Attenborough

Review by C.Olivia Carlisle

Edward Lear (1812–1888) is best known for his witty limericks and nonsense verse. But the celebrated author of The Owl and the Pussy-Cat also created some of the most stunning paintings of birds and mammals during an age when many species were just being discovered and brought to private menageries and zoos throughout Europe. In the Natural History of Edward Lear, New Edition, author Robert McCracken Peck, an authority on ornithological illustration in the United States, sheds light on Lear’s creativity, productivity, attention to natural science detail, and success as an artist. Through Peck’s extensive 20-year research in the Houghton Library at Harvard University, this book contains more than 200 of Lear’s beautiful and detailed illustrations of animals, plants, and landscapes.

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Restoration of Extinct Species

Restoration of Extinct Species

- Anthony James Gustafson

Our ancient ancestors told stories of great prehistoric beasts in the form of drawings on the walls of caves. These animals played a significant role in their daily lives, and they clearly felt their stories were worth telling. And whether they realized it or not, the stories themselves would long outlive those who wrote them. So, in effect, they’ve been able to tell those stories to us thousands of years later.

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Member Spotlight Mary Ellen Taylor

Member Spotlight: Mary Ellen Taylor

1_Member Spotlight ME Taylor_ Mangrove FinchWhen considering my circuitous career path toward botanical and nature art over the past 40 years, I clearly see that—apart from quantum leaps, serendipities, and sheer determination along the way, the seed was well and truly planted during my time living in the Galápagos Islands. Witnessing first-hand the extraordinary forms, colors, and sizes that the flora and fauna evolved into—ensuring survival on these inhospitable islands 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador—engraved on my soul a powerful respect and awe for them. My view of the world we live in and our humble place as human beings was changed forever. Growing up, I was always “arty” and influenced by my father and grandmother, spending creative summers painting or building projects and tasting raw nature in rural Vermont. I went on to pursue Fine Art and a stint of Graphic Art before making my way to London for my semester abroad. I felt I had come home in England’s green and pleasant land. After nearly three years, my visa expired and I never finished at the university... but I knew I would return...somehow.

< The endemic mangrove finch (Camarhynchus heliobates) and red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) on the Galapagos Islands.

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2021 Visual SciComm Conference

GNSI 21 Logo GIFLearn a New Skill, Make New Connections, Renew Your Passion! 

Core Conference: July 17–18, 2021; Workshops: July 24–25, 2021 

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Drawing for Scientific Illustrations: Technique and Rendering—How To Keep Illustrating When the WiFi Goes Out

Sayner in his OfficeWritten by Donald B. Sayner and Gladys Bennett Menhennet. Edited by Lana Koepke Johnson and Jeanette R. O’Hare, foreword by Paul Mirocha.

— Reviewed by Joel Floyd

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