• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
SayoStudio

SayoStudio

Seeking: Scientific dreamers in need of a partner to visualize their discoveries & technology.

  • Case Studies
  • Services
    • Animations
    • Illustration
    • Design
  • Our Process
  • About Us
    • FAQs
  • Get In Touch
  • Gallery
  • Blog

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Ecosystem Drawing for Gentian Creek Preserve

Gentian Creek Preserve Nature Murals

ecosystem drawing of a pond with birds, insects, amphibians and fish.
SayoStudio’s science illustrators created ecosystem drawings for the brand-new nature center at Gentian Creek, GA. Pond illustration © SayoStudio’s Ari Gea, May Jernigan, Natasha Mutch, and Nicolle R. Fuller.

 

Gentian Creek Preserve’s mission is cultivating an appreciation for native flora and fauna; particularly for younger generations to come. Gentian Creek Preserve (GCP) contacted us with an epic nature art installation in mind. The preserve celebrates the rich biodiversity that Georgia state has to offer, protecting 255-acres with a conservation easement acquired in 2016. With their nature center’s construction nearly complete, GCP needed anchor exhibits to invite students to look closely at the plants and animals around them. They found us, and two mural projects were born:

  • an illustration of a beaver pond to highlight wetland creatures, both above and below water,
  • and an accurate painting of mixed wood forest transitioning into meadow grasslands.
Printing the aquatic ecosystem landscape for Gentian Creek Preserve’s exhibit display. Used with permission from © Gentian Creek.

The size of these murals is a statement unto themselves; printed roughly 8’ wide and 5’ tall. Printed you may ask? Murals and exhibit art aren’t always created the way they used to be. In fact, it’s much more common to utilize modern digital painting technology, easing the costs associated with on-site hand painting and site preparation (although we can help you with on-site painting if that’s what you chose!). GCP chose to digitally render the art, print on vinyl for durability, and frame in wood. Read on to learn more about our process, and to see the final science art in action.

Research and Sketching the Ecosystem Drawings

Animal sketches for the ecology drawings, © SayoStudio’s Ari Gea, May Jernigan, Natasha Mutch.

SayoStudio worked closely with GCP throughout the creation of preliminary sketches and beyond. To start, we worked with GCP to narrow down their initial species list. Even then, we had a total of 53 distinct species to depict across the two murals, along with a mix of hardwood and pine trees.

Printed terrestrial ecosystem landscape for Gentian Creek Preserve’s exhibit display. Used with permission from © Gentian Creek.

In order to create the detailed ecology art in these two exhibit illustrations, four of SayoStudio’s science artists came together to cooperatively create the nature art. To do so successfully as a team, we communicated constantly; sharing photo references and discussing drafts. As trained science illustrators, one of our first tasks is research. Starting with GCP’s thorough list and incredible photo references by their cofounder Jerry Turner, we built off that base to supplement the references needed for illustration accuracy. We researched which species and variants were common in the area.

Some of the bigger players you’ll see in our aquatic ecosystem are species like herons, turtles, and dragonfly nymphs below the water’s surface. Plants like duckweed, cattails, and root systems under the dirt are also important parts of school kids’ educational programs during their excursions to Gentian Creek.

For our terrestrial ecosystem, we had many insects, reptiles, mammals and bird species native to the forests of the southeastern US to draw. In total, SayoStudio illustrated over 23 distinct animal species for the aquatic mural, and over 30 species for the terrestrial mural.

Ecosystem drawing sketch.
Terrestrial ecosystem preliminary drawing for clients. Scroll down to the finished artwork, to see similarities and differences. Artwork © SayoStudio, by Ari Gea, May Jernigan, Natasha Mutch, and Nicolle R. Fuller.

Color and Design of the Ecology Mural Art

After confirming the sketched composition, we got to work digitally painting. One of our goals at SayoStudio is to create scientific communication pieces that function as fine art and spark curiosity. To anchor the 2 pieces, Creative Director Nicolle Fuller began work on the landscape backdrops. The landscapes were primarily 3d creations, using tree and plant models to compose the landscape. Simultaneously, science illustrators Ari Gea, May Jernigan, and Natasha Mutch ‘hand-painted’ the animals, albeit on digital tablets.

Southeastern United States animals, drawn for Genitan Creek's murals. Artwork © SayoStudio, by Ari Gaea, May Jernigan, Natasha Mutch, and Nicolle R. Fuller.
Southeastern United States animals, drawn for Genitan Creek’s murals. Artwork © SayoStudio, by Ari Gea, May Jernigan, Natasha Mutch, and Nicolle R. Fuller.

As pieces were finished, May Jernigan helped bring everything together in Photoshop. Giving the plants and animals a sense of depth, by pushing and pulling animals in the foreground, middle and background was paramount.  The smaller animals and plants had to be visible for identification, but also sit convincingly in their environment. Posing each animal, and adding shading and highlighting was quite a puzzle.

One technique to pull the artwork together was adding light-rays streaming from the left side of both murals. We always welcome client feedback; and in fact, this idea came straight from their resident biologist. Not only did this addition create depth and space in the composition, but it also serves as a teaching tool for students visiting the nature center to learn about photosynthesis and energy transfer through an ecosystem.

Meadow to forest ecosystem illustration of SouthEast Unitied States © SayoStudio's Ari Gaea, May Jernigan, Natasha Mutch, and Nicolle R. Fuller.
A widescale full-size mural created for Gentian Creek Preserve of Thomasville, GA. Nature art © SayoStudio’s Ari Gea, May Jernigan, Natasha Mutch, and Nicolle R. Fuller.

Final Wildlife Mural Art as a Teaching Tool

Gentian Creek Preserve outdoor educator, Reena Coppola, answers eager students’ questions. © Gentian Creek, used with permission.

While our artists haven’t yet made it down to Georgia to see the murals installed, we’ve heard from GCP that the murals are a resounding success.

The ecosystem murals are at the center of teaching and outreach. Students have the opportunity to participate in lessons on entomology, herpetology, avian ecology, aquatic ecology, and botany. These murals will also help students identify native species and learn about the importance of local ecosystems and habitats.

We’re so proud to support GCP’s mission, and hope that our art can help encourage the many visitors to become strong stewards of Georgia’s wild spaces. We encourage all those inspired by Gentian Creek Preserve’s mission statement to visit their website, where you can donate to provide more free classes to Georgia students.


« Previous
Next »

Back to Case Studies

 

Ready to get started?

We are excited to learn more about your work to help visualize your story.



Footer

Navigation

  • Case Studies
  • Services
    • Animations
    • Illustration
    • Design
  • Our Process
  • About Us
    • FAQs
  • Get In Touch
  • Gallery
  • Blog

RSS Recent Posts

  • Zombie Ant Fungus
  • Science Graphics for Cancer Therapy
  • Best Science Images 2022
  • Cell Science Art
  • Chemical Engineering Journal Art

Categories

  • Animation
  • Art Process
  • Business
  • ecology
  • health
  • Inspiration
  • nano
  • Science
  • Science Communication FAQ
  • Science Illustration
  • Scientist Feature
  • Work-Life-Balance

Contact

(703) 594-6755

info@sayostudio.com

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Resources

  • Science Image Pricing & Licensing Rights

Newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • Zombie Ant Fungus
  • Science Graphics for Cancer Therapy
  • Best Science Images 2022
  • Cell Science Art
  • Chemical Engineering Journal Art

sayostudioscience

#sciart—microbes 🔬to galaxies 🔭—Nicolle Fuller leads SayoStudio creating art & animation of science wonders. #scienceillustration

SayoStudio
Did you know you can make a free, DIY water filter Did you know you can make a free, DIY water filter out of wood?! 

Trees naturally have xylem -- a straw like tubing -- to transport water and nutrients into the tree. The pores inside these xylem tubes are very complex on a nanoscale. Water molecules can flow freely through the tubing, but larger bacterial cells get trapped inside the xylem structures.
Because this filtration system removes rotavirus and E. coli, these filters meet the standards set by @WHO for clean, drinkable water. 

Learn more about nanoscientist Krithika Ramchander and Dr. Rohit Karnik's (@mit_engineering) research and see an animation of the xylem catching bacteria on our blog: https://sayostudio.com/science-diy-water-filter-animation

Art and animation created by Nicolle R. Fuller, SayoStudio
.
.
.
#waterfilter #diywaterfilter #xylemwaterfilter #treefilter #tree #xylem #mit #engineeringweek #engineering #mitengineering #nanoscience #scicomm #sciart #scienceillustration #scientificillustration #sayostudio #animation
Is #ScienceFriday a thing on social media..? It is Is #ScienceFriday a thing on social media..? It is? Then allow us to introduce you to the basics of #StringTheory! ⠀
⠀
String theory is a Theory of Everything (Grand Unification Theory) that seeks to unite the gravitational force with the other fundamental forces (electromagnetism and nuclear forces) that are already described by quantum mechanics at the atomic level. ⠀
⠀
Gaining a foothold in the theoretical physics community during the 1970's, string theory states that fundamental particles such as quarks + electrons are not points of energy or matter, but result instead from the vibrations of one-dimensional ‘string-like’ entities on a far smaller scale. ⠀
⠀
Although string theory is highly debated and very complex, it poses very interesting solutions to why our observed universe acts the way it does. ⠀
What's your take on string theory? ⠀
⠀
Artwork by Nicolle R Fuller, SayoStudio ⠀
. ⠀
. ⠀
. ⠀
#stringtheory #granreunificationtheory #theoryofeverything #physics #quantummechanics #nuclear #multidimensions #dimensions #sciart #scienceillustration #scicomm #electromagnetism #energy #matter ⠀
⠀
⠀
⠀
Could neurodegenerative diseases really be caused Could neurodegenerative diseases really be caused by ancient viral infections? ⠀
⠀
The recent discovery of viral proteins in the brains of MS/ALS patients created a mysterious link between human genes and neurodegenerative disease. ⠀
⠀
Researchers are just now beginning to understand how ancient human endogenous retroviruses (or HERVs) affect our immune responses today. HERV proteins cause disruptions of nuclei in cells; triggering the cells to mount an immune response in the central nervous system. This disruption spreads from cell to cell progressively; and is shown to cause significant motor neuron deterioration. ⠀
⠀
You can read more about this research here: https://loom.ly/_uTOBvc ⠀
⠀
Artwork by Nicolle R. Fuller, SayoStudio for @the_scientist_magazine. ⠀
. ⠀
. ⠀
. ⠀
#msawarenessweek #multiplesclerosis #neurodegenerative #neurodisease #als #ms #medicalillustration #cell #sciart #scicomm #scienceillustration #medart #stem #sayostudio ⠀
Having your heart flutter on Valentine's Day might Having your heart flutter on Valentine's Day might seem normal...but for some, it's a common symptom of atrial fibrillation. 💓

Afib is a heart arrhythmia characterized by irregular or fast beating. Electrical signals in the heart dictate how often your heart pumps-- and for some this can get out of whack, causing palpitations and dizziness. 

Luckily  treatment exists to manage Afib. To learn more, visit the American Heart Association or click the link below: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/atrial-fibrillation

Artwork by Nicolle R. Fuller, SayoStudio for @popularmechanics
.
.
.
#AmericanHeartMonth #NationalHeartMonth #Scienceillustration #sciart #hearthealth #americanheartassociation #afib #atrialfibrillation #arrhythmia #valentinesheart #heartart #medicalart #medicalillustration
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 SayoStudio · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
  • Login
  • Sign Up
Forgot Password?
Lost your password? Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.