Miles Thompson

My excitement for the connection between art and nature grew with my exposure to science illustrations at an early age, particularly those by Peter Schouten. His art brought long extinct or far away animals to life in my living room. My interest in this connection led me to study Biology and Studio Art at Grinnell College. Exploring each field on its own showed me that the practices of science and art involve the same fundamental skills. Scientists and artists both rely on creativity to learn about the world and share what they have discovered with others.

While conducting marine ecology field work during a study abroad experience in Ecuador, I started to illustrate the creatures I met while diving. Wishing to continue to bring art with me into the field, I interned for the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. There, I explored the marine ecosystems along the isthmus to build a portfolio that highlights their incredible biodiversity. Now, I am lucky enough to participate in the CSUMB Science Illustration Certificate program where science and art are formally combined. I am overjoyed to follow in the footsteps of the illustrators that inspired me to be curious about the natural world, and hope my work can inspire others too.