NatureArt Lab Blog

Last month, we had the incredible opportunity to explore the captivating world of one of Australia's most iconic species. Snakes and lizards, often misunderstood or overlooked, took centre stage as we delved into their beauty and uniqueness in the course, Illustrating Australian Reptiles with Zoe Lawrence.

Over the course, our students were given the rare chance to intimately interact with live reptiles, gaining firsthand knowledge and mastering techniques to accurately capture their essence through coloured pencil illustrations. It was a harmonious fusion of art and science, allowing us to raise awareness and foster a deep appreciation for these magnificent creatures and our native fauna as a whole.

Lesley Wallington is a professional, award-winning artist and tutor with more than 30 years’ teaching experience. Her journey in water based media, through studies at the ANU School of Art has resulted in innovative approaches to her painting and competency across a range of mediums. With a background in Biology, Ecology and Mathematics Lesley brings together in her work, a love of art, science and nature.

Dr Anna Voysekhovich is an award-winning botanical artist and scientific illustrator based in Sydney. Her illustration of this beautiful Albany Pitcher Plant recently won the Best in Show at the BASA, and here is her story about this threatened plant species from Western Australia!

It all started with a visit to Mulligans Flat as the temperature drifted gently towards 40 degrees C and the threat of bushfires simmered in the background. As a group we were a mix of both experienced artists and enthusiastic, but relative beginners. We were out there on this improbably hot day looking for botanical specimens to paint and preserve as part of one of NatureArt Lab’s many and varied workshops. The 'Collecting herbaria specimens and botanical art' workshop with Mali Moir provided students with a series of challenges which were both demanding but intensely satisfying. This blog provides one student's perspective on this experience.

"I realised that ... a workshop (on bettongs) was really worth doing .... Sure, it was going to be an enormous challenge for everyone, and yet the science and the culture it would embrace and promote is so critically important for the future".

NatureArt Lab's recent workshops have focused on endangered and threatened wildlife species, including the elusive Southern Bettong. Following a special twilight tour at Mulligan's Flat in Canberra, Australian illustrator Peter Trusler led a group of enthusiastic artists on a journey to better understand the bettong - using oil paints, coloured pencil and watercolour to create a series of impressive artworks.