Scientific illustration breeds fine art and biology at Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History – Santa Cruz Sentinel

SANTA CRUZ >> In biology, the old axiom form follows function means that an organisms structure is formed in direct correlation to its purpose. Think Darwins finches.

When it comes to art, utility is often sacrificed for form. Beyond their ability to intrigue or inspire, most works of art are not useful.

The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural Historys The Art of Nature hits a sweet spot between art and science. Now in its 29th year, the annual show showcases 20 California artists whose illustrations of insects, plants, birds, mammals, landscapes and microorganisms are also gorgeous research tools.

As a result, its not surprise that many of the artists are also scientists or scientists at heart.

Ben Witzke is a professional herpetologist he studies amphibians and reptiles whose skill as an artist led him to CSU Monterey Bays scientific illustration program.

Im more compelled to be out in the field flipping logs, but a professor of mine, Dugald Stermer, convinced me to combine zoology with illustration, said Witzke.

Witzke found that his focus on illustration made him a stronger zoologist. His work exhibited in The Art of Nature depicts a little green heron intently eyeing a hatchling Western Pond Turtle and a study series of eight colorful, spotted salamanders.

Whats fascinating is the differences in colors in each of the salamanders actually tells us a lot about paleogeology. They were all separate populations at one point, said Witzke. These salamanders tell a story of earthquakes and tectonic plates and rising and falling sea levels.

Monica Jurik produced her trompe loeil illustration of renowned Death Valley biologist Joseph Grinnel and his specimens for a student publication. Yet the creation of one of her other illustrations on display at the museum was a personal voyage of self discovery.

While strolling on McAbee Beach on Cannery Row in Monterey, Jurik came across an intriguing purple organism.

Youre not allowed to take anything from the beach so I sat down and began drawing it and taking careful notes, said Jurik.

Her illustration and notes were so precise that a biologist she brought them to easily identified it as a brittle star.

Curator Liz Broughton said that the annual show was historically associated with the UC Santa Cruz science illustration program. However, when the program moved to CSU Monterey Bay, the shows ties followed suit. The show also partners with the Guild of Science Illustrators.

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The Art of Nature, which runs through June 2, also includes work by Krista Anandakuttan, G. Lee Boerger, Sondra Cohelan, Maria Cecilia Freeman, Megan Gnekow, Jaye Hays, Erin E. Hunter, Martha Iserman, Molly Keller, Mattias Lanas, Vance Lawry, Calene Luczo, Glenda Lee Mahoney, Elizabeth Romanini, Stephanie Rozzo, Anne Scott-Chambers, Emily Underwood and Sophie Webb.

For more information, visit santacruzmuseum.org.

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Scientific illustration breeds fine art and biology at Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History - Santa Cruz Sentinel