Michelle Parsons

In 2020, I received the gifts of binoculars and plenty of time for birdwatching. I was surprised to learn that many migratory bird species pass through my hometown of Toronto, Canada! Then I took a watercolor course on birds and I was hooked. As I learned about my local birds through painting them, I set in motion a multi-year plan to increase my art and science skills. As of 2025, I have exhibited my bird paintings at several juried art fairs, completed my first solo gallery exhibit, and illustrated a popular science book, Daydreaming in the Solar System (MIT Press, 2024).

All of this led me to accept the opportunity to study science illustration at CSUMB. I’m choosing this path because I enjoy making scientifically accurate art and I feel a great sense of accomplishment when my art serves as a conversation starter about conservation issues.