InverteFest Anthology

Cover art by Aspenhearted for the InverteFEST Anthology

I gave a talk this week about Data in Art, featuring how I depict scientific data in my art, and contrasting that with some of my favourites - artists working at the intersection of data and art and scientists who have produced data visualizations influenced by art. I found myself reviewing this blog and some of the posts I have made over the years. I found that I have neglected Magpie and Whiskeyjack! Hence, this is my cue to resume. So, let me draw your attention to the InverteFest Anthology! InverteFest is a thrice-yearly week-long celebration of all things invertebrate. Participants are encouraged to observe and share images of their local invertebrates. Science artists share invertebrate art. Science artist Franz Anthony has been publishing art books of shared invertebrate art. This year, author and artist Saimi Hanma organized an anthology, pairing up writers and artists who all produced collaborative works. It's a weird and wonderful, varied collection (layout by Franz Anthony). There's everything from poetry, to short stories, sci-fi to children's lit, satire, historical fiction and fantasy. You can download it for free from Saimi's website.

My cover art for 'Meet The Pollinators,' written by Lisa Jaffe and illustrated by me, Ele Willoughby

In it you'll find my contribution. I was paired up with Seattle-based writer Lisa Jaffe and together we decided to produce a board book, with some of our favourite pollinators from our respective homes in Ontario and the Pacific Northwest, respectively. She wrote the sweetest text introducing the little ones to our insect neighbours and I illustrated the book with my linocuts of insects and plants. Check it out! Be sure to also check Franz Anthony's gorgeous collections of submitted invertebrate art from artists of all ages, and from all over the world,