Delicate web-footed birds, scaly frogs and fuzzy-haired bees now line the walls of the University’s Museum of Natural History. But it isn’t a new campus zoo, only the seemingly life-like creations of two dozen artists.
Sight & INSight, a new exhibit showcasing the work of 24 Oregonian scientific illustrators, opened at the museum last week. The gallery show will run through December, along with several related lectures and classes open to the public, including next month’s classes, “Drawing Nature” and “Stippling the Wild Asparagus.”
Cynthia Budlong, exhibit designer at the museum, said scientific illustration combines science and art to make exact examples of insects, other animals and physiological body processes commonly displayed on the pages of scientific journals. She said these kinds of illustrations are often used for wildlife, medical and children’s publications.
“The idea is for people who love both art and science,” she said. “The variety is just amazing.”
She said each artist has two pieces on display, including black-and-white drawings, paintings and three-dimensional models.
Budlong, who helped choose the pieces for the display, said a photograph and a short biography are included with each artist’s work.
“I wanted to make it personal and get the artists more involved,” she said.
Deana Dartt, senior archaeology major, is one of two student artists whose work is on display. Her illustrations include drawings of archaeological artifacts.
Dartt, a former art student, came to the University to pursue an archaeology degree, but those who knew her artistic past asked her to try scientific illustrating.
“I had kind of given up art before, but being able to blend these two disciplines has been kind of cool,” she said.
To create her illustrations, Dartt first takes measurements of the artifacts she uses as models, then sketches them. She next uses a technique called stippling, which involves punching many tiny holes through the sketch onto paper. The end result produces a shaded effect.
“Journals usually don’t use photographs because it’s difficult to see the detail that can be seen in illustrations,” she said.
Besides publications, Dartt said scientific illustrating is also used in the archaeology field.
“People are needed on archaeology sites to illustrate things that can’t be removed from the site,” she said. “There are few archaeologists that seem to have the skill.”
Although some of Dartt’s drawings will soon be displayed in professional publications, she said she has no plans to stray from archaeology.
“Illustrating will be a great way to supplement my income, but I want to be an archaeologist,” she said.
Eliza Schmidkunz, marketing and public relations coordinator for the museum, said the high quality of the display impresses her.
“What’s amazing is how many scientific illustrators live in Eugene,” she said. “I think it has a lot to do with the natural beauty of Oregon.”