What is Natural Science Illustration?

Put simply, natural science (or history) illustration is “art in service of science”.  The artist “uses scientifically informed observational, technical, and aesthetic skills to portray a subject accurately.” (The Guild Handbook of Scientific Illustration, by the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators). The scientific illustrator is a “Visual Science Communicator” (Diana Marques).  This title aptly describes the key role of a scientific illustrator -- communication!  Shapes, anatomy, details, and concepts that cannot be conveyed with words alone, and are often ambiguous in photographs, are visually described by the artist with crystal clarity. 
​Personally, I have a fondness for, "Natural History Illustration", as it puts emphasis on the stories, often complex and interwoven, of the visualized subjects.
"Late Autumn Forage", Bombus impatiens (Common Eastern Bumble Bee) feeding on Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England Aster), © Suzanne Matheson, 2018

Recent News

​Art of the Garden: 
The Garden in Art  Exhibition
Grey Gallery, Owen Sound, ON
​June 5 - July 6, 2019

In celebration of their 5th annual "Amongst the Peonies" garden open house, held this year on June 15, 2019, Ginkgo Footprints has partnered with Grey Gallery in Owen Sound, to exhibit horticultural-themed art work depicting gardens, cultivated and wild plants.  A number of my works will be on display, along with various other members of the Botanical Artists of Canada.
​To learn more, please visit my Events Calendar.      

'Woodland Jack-in-the-pulpit' on view at Nature Art Studio, Toronto, ON

In 2018, my 'Woodland Jack-in-the-pulpit' was featured in the juried 'Art of the Plant' exhibition, Canada's contribution to the groundbreaking international initiative, Botanical Art Worldwide.  Presently, it is among a select few on the walls of Nature Art Studio, Toronto, Ontario.  Viewing dates are listed on my Events Calendar.  By appointment,  please contact NellieSue@NatureArtStudio.ca. 

Phalaenopsis 'Yu Pin Peach Girl' moth orchid cultivar on display during the 2019 RBG Orchid Society Show & Sale, Burlington, ON

A feast for your eyes!  Orchids, both living and representative!
Annually, the Royal Botanical Gardens Orchid Society holds an orchid-themed art show for the duration of their orchid show & sale.  The jurers of the society's 2019 art show deemed my graphite drawing, Phalaenopsis 'Yu Pin Peach Girl' moth orchid cultivar, Best In Class.  

Hatchlings  A Coloring Book Anthology

Back in July, 2018 Cordelia Norris, of Luna Creations design & illustration, and her husband, Joseph Cadotte, of Old Sins publishing collective, sent out a call-for-entry.  They were seeking black & white line drawings of North American nesting birds, with their hatchlings, for an educational colouring book anthology.  The juried entries were to be limited to birds who spend some or all of their time in the USA.  ... read more ...