Artist Bio:
Gabby Basil is a Visual Arts and Biology double major from Schenectady, New York. During her time at Union, she has participated in Beekeeping Club, Octopus Garden, and Ornithology Club. As both an artist and a scientist, Gabby strives to bridge the gap between the two disciplines by creating scientific illustrations that depict the natural world. While her favorite medium is acrylic paint, she also loves to draw, paint with watercolors, and embroider. After graduation, she will be looking for field assistant positions in the western United States with the goal of going to graduate school for ornithology in the near future. As an artist, she hopes to be able to continue the practice of scientific illustration, and would like to keep applying it to her work and research in biology.
Artist Statement:
Birds are fascinating, complex creatures with a rich natural history. They are extremely varied and can teach us not only about the world around us, but about ourselves. Lately, birds all around the world are threatened with extinction by many factors: deforestation, invasive species, climate change, and more. My project seeks to highlight the wonderful world of birds by showing them in a variety of habitats and positions. From their unique physiology to their elaborate courtship displays, there is much to be learned from these unique creatures. By drawing attention to their beauty, I hope to increase awareness and get more people involved in avian conservation, a topic that needs much more attention.