Journal of Nature Science Illustrators Vol. 55, No. 3: Abstracts

GNSI • February 23, 2024
Cover image:
A strangler fig reaching up for the sun (from Hidden Kingdom:
Fantastical Plants of the Western Ghats) © 2023 Nirupa Rao

Welcome to the last Journal edition of 2023!

Welcome to JNSI volume 55 number 3. In this issue, we say goodbye and honor member Dick Rauh. This issue also contains an interesting article about Indian botanical art from an artist from Bangalore, member spotlight featuring botanical artist and 2022 GNSI special projects award recipient Camille Werther, with an added bonus about her pandemic sketchbook project!



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Apios americana
ground nut, watercolor,
© 2013 Dick Rauh

In Memoriam: Richard (Dick) Rauh 

-Gretchen Halpert 


This article celebrates the accomplishments and of beloved member Dick Rauh, who passed at 98. His extensive career spanned film and animation, and once served as President of the NY screen cartoonist union, and of the Animation Community organization. The fields of Science and Botanical Illustration were greatly enriched by the second career of Dick Rauh. After retiring, he earned a Ph.D. in botany to enhance his knowledge and educate others about drawing plants. his knowledge and educate others about drawing plants. Rauh's legacy includes teaching, a distinguished service award, the publication of "The Science Behind Flowers," and numerous exhibitions showcasing his botanical art.


India’s three
native sundew species
From Hidden
Kingdom: Fantastical Plants
of the Western Ghats. © Nirupa
Rao

Indian Botanical Art (Open Access)

-Nirupa Rao 


The author, who grew up in Bangalore, reflects on the environmental changes in the city and her connection to nature, stemming from family ties to botany. Frustrated by the disconnect between urbanized Indians and nature, Nirupa collaborates with a cousin to create an illustrated book, "Hidden Kingdom," featuring unique plant species from the Western Ghats, aiming to challenge perceptions and raise awareness. The article also discusses the historical context of botanical art in India and the author's efforts, including a short film, to inspire appreciation and conservation of the country's diverse flora.



© 2022 Camille Werther

Member Spotlight: Camille Werther

-Sara Taliaferro 


Camille Werther, a Content Editor at the Journal of Natural Science Illustration (JNSI), received the 2022 GNSI Special Projects award for her innovative contributions to production management. Initially responsible for manuscript development, Camille revamped the production scheduling system, streamlining the process for assembling articles into a print-ready JNSI edition. Her career journey, rooted in Louisiana and connected to nature, includes teaching, extension work, and a notable exhibit that combined her love for science, storytelling, and botanical illustration to prompt discussions about nature and trees.




Venus high in the
hazy night sky, smartweed sketch.
Colored pencil, HB pencil, white
roller ball pen on Ingres paper.
© 2020 Camille Werther

Sketchbook: Day/Night Journal

- Camille Werther


In response to the disconnection brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the author embarked on a small art project in late 2020 to reconnect with time and the natural world. Using a hand-bound journal with textured paper representing day and night, the author recorded observations of plants, insects, astronomical events, and environmental conditions for a month, aiming to ground themselves in nature and experimenting with artistic techniques like silverpoint and watercolor grounds.

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Deb Haines. Portrait by Phil Snow-UTCVM medical photographer
By by Deborah K. Haines (Deb) BA, MFA, CMI, FAMI May 17, 2025
Deb Haines. Portrait by Phil Snow-UTCVM medical photographer
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