Diagrams for Publication

As a freelance science illustrator, I am often asked to work directly with scientists, marine labs, and environmental organizations to create diagrams for publications and presentations. The artwork that I create helps scientists disseminate their research in a format that is more accessible and reaches a broader audience than words alone.

Hawksbill Sea Turtles in Baja

These diagrams were created for Luli Martinez, PhD candidate at University of California, Santa Cruz. Luli wanted some diagrams to use in presentations to communicate research findings, study area, and methods for data collection and capturing turtles in the field.

Nitrogen Cycling and Microorganisms

I have worked closely with Dr. Jonathan Zehr on several projects since 2016, creating visual conceptual diagrams of microscopic and macroscopic processes that are impossible to capture with photography. Their research focuses mainly on cyanobacteria, nitrogen fixation, and nutrient cycling in the world’s oceans. The diagrams presented below were created for manuscripts that were published in Science Magazine and other publications.

Ongoing Partnerships

The Western Flyer

I have always been enamored by the writings of John Steinbeck and the contributions his friend, Ed Ricketts, made to the scientific community. In 1940, Steinbeck and Ricketts chartered the Monterey fishing vessel, the Western Flyer, on a 6-week scientific collecting expedition to the Sea of Cortez. This historic journey was documented in their co-authored book, The Log from the Sea of Cortez.

Since that expedition, the Western Flyer has served as a fishing vessel in Alaska, Oregon, British Columbia, and Washington. Exchanging hands through the decades, and neglected here and there, the ship sunk and was retrieved on three separate occasions. In 2015, John Gregg purchased the Flyer, and hired shipwright Chris Chase to head the restoration project in Port Townsend. I have been fortunate to develop a friendship with several members of the Western Flyer Foundation (WFF), and continue to restore old designs and create new ones for the WFF that celebrate the rich history and rebirth of this incredibly resilient vessel.

Creekside Science

Creekside Science is an environmental consulting group focused on the conservation of threatened butterflies, plants, and their habitats. I’ve worked with the team at Creekside to redesign their logo, and to create patches to raise awareness for species they’ve helped restore, like the Bay Checkerspot Butterfly (Euphydryas editha bayensis) and San Mateo Thornmint (Acanthomintha duttonii).

Public Art

In 2020, I was selected from a pool of local artists to create educational science panels to be installed in the outdoor garden area of the newly remodeled El Gabilan Library in Salinas, CA. I spent several weeks researching native plants and pollinators to produce the written content and illustrations for each panel. Each panel measures 36’’ tall and all information is available in Spanish to ensure that people of all backgrounds can learn about and appreciate these local critters.

Spot Illustrations (Analog and Digital)

Below is a collection of single illustrations created as commissions or created to advance my skills in a variety of media. Analog media includes watercolor, graphite, colored pencil, gouache, scratchboard, pen and ink, and acrylic. Digital media includes work done in the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and After Effects). Much of my work is a combination of both analog and digital media.

Educational Science Posters

My mission as a science illustrator is to create artwork that communicates scientific information while showcasing the beautiful array of organisms found locally and globally. During my free time, I get a chance to create artwork that you can hang in your home, office, or classroom as a constant reminder of an environment that you love, or a group of organisms that are near and dear to your heart.