GNSI 2021 Special Projects Award: Joel Floyd
Presented by GNSI President Kalliopi Monoyios at the All-Member Open Board Meeting on August 4th, 2021
For the most part, scientific illustration is a comparatively conservative field. Perhaps the most basic definition of scientific illustration is “images created to help facilitate communication among scientists.” If this were the sole definition, then accuracy, clarity, and an understanding of what scientists need and want might be the only “givens” to consider. However, almost since “true” scientific illustration emerged during the Renaissance, it is not scientists alone who were the recipients of the information that can be conveyed by drawings of scientific subject matter. Today, audiences for scientific illustration include children, adult members of the general public and students of all ages and levels, as well as scientists (natural, physical and social).
There are few instructional books that are dedicated to the use of traditional pen and ink materials in natural history illustration. Those interested in developing those skills now have a new reference thanks to GNSI member, Sarah Morrish, who has written Natural History Illustration in Pen and Ink. The beautifully illustrated book provides instruction for both the beginner and the experienced illustrator who is looking for inspiration or new ways to combine media. Morrish is an illustrator for Curtis’s Botanical Magazine and has produced work for the Natural History Museum in London.
In this age of information with instant messaging and “fingertouch” communication, it’s sometimes hard to imagine a world where the best ways to connect with distant relatives, friends and colleagues was by mailed letters and long-distance phone calls. One of the reasons why the Guild came into existence was to provide easier communication among members and to give them a venue to hone skills, share experiences and strengthen friendships. Probably the best way to achieve this goal is participation in the annual conference.
Despite advances in technology that allow for faster, more effective communication, there is no substitute for face-to-face interactions. This is especially obvious to those of us who have been most profoundly affected by the social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. While it’s true that social and professional network sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. are somewhat effective substitutes for real-time, in-person interactions, and our recent conferences have offered chances for those who cannot travel to connect on a personal level to a degree, there is something special about being able to occupy the same space as those with whom you are socializing.
Guild conferences have always provided members with numerous opportunities to connect – with friends and colleagues who really understand what scientific illustration is about and are familiar with the joys and concerns experienced by those of us who are not exactly scientists and not exactly fine artists (though there are those who are both and those who are neither). It has been said that in order to advance in the world it’s important to cultivate relationships – it’s “who you know” that is most important. While this might sound somewhat cynical, the truth is that at Guild conferences this kind of networking requires no effort. Friendship, mentorship, collegiality and comradeship are givens. The past two years have alerted us to the value of personal interaction – whether in person or online. Let’s continue to connect through our local chapter and group meetings and especially events like annual conferences!
GNSI Local Chapters: https://www.gnsi.org/local-chapters
When considering my circuitous career path toward botanical and nature art over the past 40 years, I clearly see that—apart from quantum leaps, serendipities, and sheer determination along the way, the seed was well and truly planted during my time living in the Galápagos Islands. Witnessing first-hand the extraordinary forms, colors, and sizes that the flora and fauna evolved into—ensuring survival on these inhospitable islands 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador—engraved on my soul a powerful respect and awe for them. My view of the world we live in and our humble place as human beings was changed forever. Growing up, I was always “arty” and influenced by my father and grandmother, spending creative summers painting or building projects and tasting raw nature in rural Vermont. I went on to pursue Fine Art and a stint of Graphic Art before making my way to London for my semester abroad. I felt I had come home in England’s green and pleasant land. After nearly three years, my visa expired and I never finished at the university... but I knew I would return...somehow.
< The endemic mangrove finch (Camarhynchus heliobates) and red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) on the Galapagos Islands.
Learn a New Skill, Make New Connections, Renew Your Passion!
Core Conference: July 17–18, 2021; Workshops: July 24–25, 2021
What GNSI Conference Planning Is About
by Britt Griswold
It all starts with an urge to give your GNSI friends a place to gather. Then you remember all the cool things you could show them. Then you remember the connections you have to your local institutions and suddenly you think “my friends and I could do this!” Fortunately, the Guild has developed a sophisticated set of tools to help you plan and organize talks, workshops and field trips, along with the celebration of the Guild family gathering each year.
The 2019 GNSI and AMBI Members' Digital Exhibit: Rendering Science - Clarity and Concepts, is now available to view in the GNSI website image galleries. This excellent exhibit combined GNSI and AIMBI member’s work, showcasing traditional and digital illustration, photography and animation entries. From July 1 - July 7, the exhibit displayed across 5 projection panels in the main entrance of the Queensland Museum, and also in the auditorium adjacent to the main entrance.
The evening of the exhibit opening started with a water taxi tour on the Brisbane River, from Women’s College to downtown Brisbane. Walking to the museum from the water taxi stop included a look at the pelican bronzes by Leonard and Kathleen Shillam, an inner-city beach and lagoon, and a treetop squabble between a ring-tailed possum and a fruit bat! The exhibit reception was a highlight of our exceptional conference experience in Australia.
Artist Michael Holland discusses the materials, techniques, and knowledge he uses at the intersection of art and science to create skeletal reconstructions of dinosaurs. Images of various processes are shown, and he presents work in progress - a famous and iconic Smithsonian dinosaur that has been on display for over a century - as you’ve never seen him (or her) before! 
Tuesday, July 2nd, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM, H. Marks Hall, Women's College.
The annual GNSI auction is always a conference highlight, full of anticipation, suspense, and excitement! The 2019 auction will be no different, although there will be some important things to take into consideration this year. Due to the greater distances traveled by many attendees, we will not be able to transport medium to large auction items. Instead, we will focus on small items that fit easily into luggage, AND a whole new suite of non-tangible items this year! Start thinking about experiences that you might like to offer, such as:
The Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Program is hosting the 2019 Ocean Awareness Contest, for young artists, thinkers, and activists (ages 11-18). The program is seeking entries with the theme of Presence of the Future.
Applicants are asked to create a piece about a coastal/marine species, place, or system that will be threatened, altered, or lost due to climate change. Submissions accepted include visual art, poetry, prose, film, and music. Deadline for submission - June 17th, 2019.
Accepted artists’ works will have an opportunity to exhibit in pop-up art shows and film screenings sponsored by the Bow Seat Program. Awards will also be presented to winners in their age divisions. A detailed call for entry and submission can be found hereThe blog Love in the Time of Chasmosaurus is conducting a survey of paleoartists to understand how paleoartists practice their craft: how they research their work, what they charge their clients, how they work towards scientific rigor and avoid repeating errors in existing work. The anonymous survey can be found here.
The Art of Planetary Science is an annual art exhibition run by the University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory that celebrates the beauty and elegance of space science and related science fields.
Submissions for fine art and data art are accepted through August 2nd, 2019. The exhibit will be held from November 15th through 17th at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Find out more information and submission instructions here.
The GNSI and AMBI Members' Digital Exhibit - Call for Entries is Open!
Rendering Science - Clarity and ConceptsGNSI is excited to join with the AIMBI (Australian Institute of Medical and Biological Illustration) for our 2019 Conference Exhibit, digitally displayed at the Queensland Museum in Brisbane, opening reception July 1, 2019, at 7 pm.
Two organizations - (1) the American Society of Illustrators Partnership, Inc. (ASIP),
teamed with Artist Rights Society (ARS), and, more-recently formed, (2) The American
Society for Collective Rights Licensing, Inc. (ASCRL) - are promoting distributions of
European reprographic royalties. The GNSI Board has been asked to give their formal
endorsement to or assessment of these organizations.
The GNSI Board of Directors, on behalf of GNSI, Inc., cannot endorse any organization
involved with royalty distribution nor advise members on their personal financial
decisions related to those organizations.
The GNSI Board of Directors acts according to our mission: “GNSI connects professionals
who promote, educate, and celebrate the visual communication of science”.
If a member wishes to understand the future directions of these reprographic rights and
royalties organizations, they can contact ASIP and ASCRL directly.
Most sincerely,
Sara L. Taliaferro, GNSI President
BioImages is an annual visual media competition that showcases the finest still, graphics and motion media work in the life sciences and medicine.
Entries will be judged on impact, composition, clarity, content, technique, lighting, image quality, presentation, creativity, originality and effective use of the medium to fulfill its stated purpose. Deadline for entries is March 31st, 2019. You can find detailed information on application and awards here
