Bird’s Eye View: Science in Illustration
Date & Time
Thursday, January 30, 2025
6:30–8 p.m.
This event is in the past.
Tickets
$20 for General Public
$15 for Burke members
Registration coming soon!
Location
VIRTUAL EVENT
Join us from your home!
See behind-the-scenes in this unique virtual program showing how researchers and illustrators collaborate to transform scientific findings into compelling images. Learn the latest in hummingbird research with Dr. Alejandro Rico-Guevara and draw-along with Madison Mayfield as she creates an initial sketch. Experience firsthand the power of collaboration in making artwork that is both beautiful and scientifically accurate.
Rico-Guevara, Curator of Ornithology at the Burke Museum, will join us from the field in Colombia to share insights from ongoing research in hummingbird physiology, from the shapes of their beaks to their feather coloration and iridescence. Mayfield, scientific illustrator and Burke Ornithology Assistant Collections Manager, will demonstrate her illustration process and invite viewers to draw along as she creates the initial sketch of what will soon become a Burke Store exclusive product.
This program is a part of a suite of programming for the special exhibit Rare Air: Connecting with Species of Flight.
Program registrants will receive reference materials in advance including science images and an illustration guide.
About the Speakers
Dr. Alejandro Rico-Guevara (any pronouns) is the Curator of Ornithology at the Burke Museum and Principal Investigator of the UW Behavioral Ecophysics Lab. His research focuses on how the physiological, anatomical, and behavioral aspects of hummingbirds drive their evolution and the relationships they have with the ecosystems in which they live.
He attended Universidad Nacional de Colombia for his undergraduate work, received his Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut as a Fulbright Scholar, and held a postdoctoral position as a Miller Fellow at UC Berkeley. He’s authored 21 peer-reviewed publications, 16 as first author, and 6 highlighted on journal covers. He firmly believes that, as a biologist, he has the privilege to learn about the wonders of nature and the responsibility to share that knowledge with other scientists and the wider community. His research has been regularly featured by news media (e.g. New York Times, National Geographic Magazine), and in 6 nature documentaries / TV series.
Learn more about about his work.
Madison Mayfield (she/her) is the Assistant Collections Manager of Ornithology at the Burke Museum and a Research Tech in the UW Behavioral Ecophysics lab. She is a natural history artist, taxidermist, educator and museum professional, holding a Bachelor of Science in Biology: Ecology, Evolution & Conservation as well as a certificate in Natural History Illustration from the University of Washington.
For years, Madison has been creating science art as a freelance illustrator. She is passionate about introducing anyone and everyone to the world of science illustration and nature journaling. Her own personal art practice is driven by her work in museum collections and often focuses on birds as specimens. She is an avid birder and truly loves nothing more than watching and drawing birds!
