Project Title: Biological Illustration: floral and faunal form
Project Author: Sandy Zetlan (Estrella Mountain)
Abstract: Write a concise summary with descriptive information about your project, location, time span, your relationship to it, etc. Include specific information-- since you have completed your project, your knowledge is valuable and can be shared with your colleagues.
I spent 2 weeks in New York City completing botanical illustration classes at the New York Botanical Garden. I also read and competed exercises in drawing books, illustrated plants in the field, collected pressed specimens, examined and drew their parts. In the process I learned about floral anatomy, and how to present different scientific concepts in illustration. I now particularly understand that while drawing takes time, the hours spent greatly add to the understanding of form and function.
Outcomes: In a paragraph or two describe what worked well. Did you accomplish your objective(s)? Were you able to complete your summer project as written? If not, what did you modify and why? What did not go as well as expected, if anything? Were there any surprises? Note: Use the questions as guides for your outcomes. Do not include detailed list of workshops attended, speakers who presented, or a list of items you have seen, heard, or read.
I definitely accomplished my objective for the summer project. I was able to complete most of my summer project as written. Unfortunately, I did not take the avian illustration class, as it was cancelled for this summer. However, I took two botanical illustration courses. The workload for these courses was much greater that expected. Each night, I completed about 4 hours of homework. The 4-5 hours of class, 3 hours of commute time and 4 hours of homework each night did not leave too much time for other activities during that time period. Sometimes, my slow progress was discouraging. However, the intensity of the class really allowed me to immerse myself in the work and the instructor and interaction with classmates was excellent.
The heat of Phoenix during the summer made field work very challenging. Outside illustration was restricted to very early morning hours although some work was done at night. I modified my project by doing more collections and work at higher altitudes, in the Huachuca and Chiricahua mountains. I also worked more inside with pressed plants than I had planned.
Professional Growth: Your own professional growth is a large part of your project. Your professional growth is important to you, your students, your college, and possibly other colleagues. How did project affect you professionally? What skills did you learn? What environments were you working in and how might your summer project influence your teaching or other responsibilities? Did you gain a different perspective? Was it professionally valuable for you?
As a scientist, I know that illustrations form an important part of learning biology, but I was not sure how to express this myself. I learned drawing from the ground up starting with selection of proper tools, and techniques such as shading, sizing objects, and transfer.
I met people from an entirely different community. I was one of only two scientists in my classes. The instructor was a well-known biological illustrator, and most people in the class were artists. This experience was a little intimidating for me, but a reminder for what my students go through learning new material in a new setting. The instructor's attitude helped me progress although I was clearly the slowest and least adept student in the class. The entire experience was a valuable lesson in patience and perseverance, and a concerted effort to be proud of what I was able to accomplish in a short time.
Dissemination: How will you share this information with your colleagues, department, students, or college?
This project will clearly be useful for my biology classes. I will continue to emphasize drawing as a way to understand form and function. I will need to give students encouragement, and time to complete their projects. During my sabbatical, I will continue to use illustrations, in addition to photographs and text, to document the natural world of Arizona. Some of these illustrations will be posted on a Blackboard site during the year.
For more information about this project, check out the "package" in the Maricopa Learning eXchange:
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/mlx/slip.php?item=01364