Scientific Illustrator & Educator

Christine Elder holds a Master’s degree in Biology and a Graduate Certificate in Science Illustration, which ensures that her work is both anatomically accurate as well as beautiful. She specializes in drawing insects, vertebrates and botanicals.

She is proficient in a variety of media including traditional watercolor, gouache, acrylic, pen & ink, scratchboard, shaded pencil and carbon dust. Digital media skills include Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign and Dreamweaver. And with experience in graphic design and writing, she can organize your projects from start to finish.

Previous projects completed include natural history interpretive exhibits, children's books, laboratory manuals, scientific research papers, designs for posters and t-shirts, writing and illustrations for environmental newsletters, as well as a variety of graphic design projects.

Christine teaches workshops for both children and adults in biological illustration, for which she is well known for her lively presentations, intriguing biological specimens and high quality art materials.
For more information visit Christine's new website at: http://www.christineelder.com/.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Butterfly Encounters


This week, the butterflies are out in full force. During a spring hike along the North Fork of the Yuba River, we encountered literally thousands of this species, the California Tortoiseshell, which is known for its mass migrations. Surely, they are thriving from our recent rains, and the success of their host plant, the California Lilac (actually a group of related species of Ceanothus), all of which are blossoming profusely at the moment and filling the mountain air with their scent. During our hike, we were also greeted by many other species of butterflies, who were enjoying the puddles and moist mud from recent rains, and included swallowtails and California Sisters.

For more information about butterflies, visit the excellent site listed below created by a University of California professor, Art Shapiro:
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Gifts for the Home, Office & Body

Gifts for the Home, Office & Body
Featuring original illustrations by Christine Elder. Click image above to visit my online art gallery store.

Coral Reef Fishes

Coral Reef Fishes
I created this laminated field guide to assist SCUBA divers such as myself who enjoy identifying the many fishes of the ocean realm.

Recent Illustration Project

Recent Illustration Project
An 11" x 16" orignial watercolor of foothill sierra newts created as a private commission.

Water Strider

Water Strider
Click on image to learn about this creature in the July issue of 'Bay Nature' Magazine

Taking a Break from Class

Taking a Break from Class

Testimonials for Christine's Art Classes

  • "Christine is the rare professional artist who can bring art and natural science alive for kids"
  • "Christine is stellar in the classroom"
  • "She has the background & ability to design lessons and activities that are age-appropriate"
  • "Her style engages & motivates students"
  • "Her class was a week rich with lessons and activities that complemented the science curriculum"
  • "Christine brings a passion and enthusiasm that is infectious"
  • "I didn't know I could paint like this"

Adult Salmonfly

Adult Salmonfly
Photo by Dan Pickard. To see more of his outstanding photos, visit the Aquatic Bioassesment Lab's Digital Reference Collection (click on photo to visit)

Incredible Salmonfly Hatch

Last week, we were hiking in the forest along an irrigation ditch when we began to notice numerous shucks of the salmonfly, Pteronarcys californica. They were not only attached to the stream side aquatic vegetation, but had also made their way across the trail, and six feet up the trunks of nearby firs and pines. Salmonflies are one of my favorite aquatic invertebrates, being among the largest and flashiest of stoneflies. I collected a handful of shucks to show my students, and also observed a large adult, about 3 inches long, while it rested calmly on my arm! One never knows what special events you'll see when you're being observant out in the field!

My first major commission

My first major commission
These are photos of a natural history exhibit I created in 1996 for Butano State Park on the central coast. With my extensive background in biology, education and writing, I was able to take the project from start to finish. I designed the overall concepts, wrote and silkscreened the text, created the paintings in acrylic as well as designing the wooden display structures.