Andrea stands in the belly of the Western Flyer during its restoration in Port Townsend, Washington. This historic vessel was chartered by John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts on their expedition to the Sea of Cortez.

Andrea stands in the belly of the Western Flyer during its restoration in Port Townsend, Washington. This historic vessel was chartered by John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts on their expedition to the Sea of Cortez.

Andrea Dingeldein, M.S.

Andrea Dingeldein specializes in visual depictions of the maritime environment. She illustrates everything from the flora and fauna of the ocean realm, to the vessels and lighthouses that have guided generations of humans towards scientific discovery. With watercolors and field notebook in hand, she sets out into California’s tide pools, redwood forests, and coastal prairies to document the wonders and oddities of the natural world. Back in the studio she transforms her field studies into polished science illustrations for researchers, parks, and local environmental organizations that fight to protect the ecosystems she knows and loves.

In addition to working as a freelance artist, Andrea is an instructor for the Science Illustration Program at California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB).  She teaches Field Sketching, Design of Graphics for Motion, Print, and Web, and Botanical Illustration. 

If you are interested in hiring Andrea for an illustration project, please send an email to thelocalnaturalist@gmail.com. 

Contact

Email:  thelocalnaturalist@gmail.com

Instagram:  @the_local_naturalist

Education

Graduate Certificate in Science Illustration, California State University Monterey Bay

M.S. Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington

B.A. Studio Art, B.S. Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington





Public Lectures and Outreach

2023
Speaker at “Nature Journaling Educator’s Conference”
Wild Wonder Foundation

2022
“Art of Fungi” workshop
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

2021
“Sharks in Art” workshop
Gills Club & North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher

Exploring the Why of the Western Flyer Foundation video
Western Flyer Foundation

2020
“Expedition Expert” video
National Steinbeck Center

“Watercolor Landscapes” workshop
Western Flyer Foundation & Salinas High School

2019
“Art & Science” panel participant
Monterey Area Research Institutions’ Network for Education

“Science Illustration” workshop leader
Camp SeaLab

Exploring Science Through Artlecture
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

“Tidepool Sketching” workshop
Wild Wonder Conference

2018
“Science Illustration” workshop
Camp SeaLab

2017
“Science Illustration” workshop
Camp SeaLab

2016
“Art & Science” panel participant
Monterey Area Research Institutions’ Network for Education

Public Exhibits

2023
First Place
“History of Monterey County”
Monterey County Public Health Exhibition
Salinas, CA

2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
“The Art of Nature”
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Santa Cruz, CA

2021
“Drift: An Art Expedition”
Sylvan Gallery
Sand City, CA

2016
“Illustrating Nature”
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Pacific Grove, CA