Leigh Madeline Nelson

I AM FROM EARTH

I DESIGN SCIENCE THROUGH ART

I LIKE COCKTAILS

FREELANCE AVAILABLE

OPEN

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RESUME

I am a scientific and medical illustrator, with a passion for visual communication and an extensive background in the sciences and arts.

Work Flow

My process generally involves discussing an illustration concept, reviewing the materials provided by the client, creating some rough drafts and/or “concept” illustrations, and then creating a final illustration subject to small revisions as needed.

Work of Art

I create illustrations using traditional fine arts methods (pen and ink, watercolor, etc.) and digital illustrations using Adobe Illustrator and/or Adobe Photoshop (both raster and vector). I am familiar with creating graphs and charts, presenting complex data in interesting ways, and creating infographics that incorporate illustrations into the data presentation.

Published Work

My illustrations have been published in the SF Bay Area at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center in Santa Cruz and at the Wildlife Health Center at the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis. Other published works include illustrations for the Fall 2016 issue of ‘Scopes Magazine (Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine); a 30-slide powerpoint used in a webinar presented by Aquafix Inc. for professionals in the field of wastewater treatment; various academic usage (including an Oceanography manual) through Bluedoor Publishing, a science-based publishing company in the post-secondary market, and A Pass Educational Group, a custom educational content provider. 

DESIGN SKILLS

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

InDesign

Watercolor

Pen & Ink

EDUCATION

2015 – 2016

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
in Natural Science Illustration

California State University, Monterey Bay

This program is extremely competitive, accepting only 13 students per year, and the applicants come from all over the US and Canada. I graduated in 2016 and began my freelance career at that time.

2014 – 2015

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
in Botanical Illustration

Cornell University, School of Plant Science

I explored botanical art for a year through this course at Cornell, as well as taking local workshops and classes with the Mary Harden School of Botanical Illustration.

2009 – 2011

Post Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Certificate
in Pre-Medical

Mills College

I attended this program with the intention of going to medical school. While studying the hard sciences extensively for two years, I began taking art class again as an outlet for my creative side. I realized I was much better suited to the development of scientific communication than practicing medicine in the field.

2002 – 2007

Double Degree Program:
BA in English, BM in Vocal Performance

Oberlin College

PORTFOLIO

BU Trees: Modern Concepts in Biosciences

BU Trees: Modern Concepts in Biosciences

Amyloid Plaque Formation

Amyloid Plaque Formation

Neural Networks

Neural Networks

How To Fight A Bear

How To Fight A Bear

Abbott BurstDR™ Patient Brochure

Abbott BurstDR™ Patient Brochure

Teaching Guide: Launch Angles and Trajectories

Teaching Guide: Launch Angles and Trajectories

Human Kidney Anatomy

Human Kidney Anatomy

Vernal Pool Tadpole Shrimp

Vernal Pool Tadpole Shrimp

Specimen Holder

Specimen Holder

Fanciful Microorganisms

Fanciful Microorganisms

Mapping The Feline Lymphatic System

Mapping The Feline Lymphatic System

Anatomy of the Feline Eye

Anatomy of the Feline Eye

Bike Lock

Bike Lock

Gas Can

Gas Can

Two Curious Owls

Two Curious Owls

Twenty-Sided Die

Twenty-Sided Die

Cecelia

Cecelia

Sophie

Sophie

First Galaxies

First Galaxies

Skin Irritants: Poison Oak, Cape Leadwort, Stinging Nettles

Skin Irritants: Poison Oak, Cape Leadwort, Stinging Nettles

Skin Irritants: Poison Oak, Cape Leadwort, Stinging Nettles

Skin Irritants: Poison Oak, Cape Leadwort, Stinging Nettles

Sink or Swim? The Osteologic Transformation of Secondarily Aquatic Mammals

Sink or Swim? The Osteologic Transformation of Secondarily Aquatic Mammals

Theories in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Theories in Traditional Chinese Medicine

The Ogasawara Islands: Subduction of Oceanic Plates

The Ogasawara Islands: Subduction of Oceanic Plates

How to Make a Sugar or Salt Rim

How to Make a Sugar or Salt Rim

New Techniques in Canine Cardiac Ablation

New Techniques in Canine Cardiac Ablation

Blastocyst in Utero

Blastocyst in Utero

Geochronology: Three Fossils

Geochronology: Three Fossils

Fossils

Fossils

Fossils

Fossils

Shoreline Erosion and Sea Wall Collapse

Shoreline Erosion and Sea Wall Collapse

Benthos (Bottom Dwellers) Representative of Intertidal and Shallow Tidal Forms

Benthos (Bottom Dwellers) Representative of Intertidal and Shallow Tidal Forms

Mapping the Juan de Fuca Subduction Zone

Mapping the Juan de Fuca Subduction Zone

Juan de Fuca Subduction

Juan de Fuca Subduction

Grunt Sculpin

Grunt Sculpin

Pelagic Red Crab – Anterior

Pelagic Red Crab – Anterior

Pelagic Red Crab – Posterior

Pelagic Red Crab – Posterior

Krill of The Monterey Bay

Krill of The Monterey Bay

Krill of The Monterey Bay

Krill of The Monterey Bay

Unfolding The Mind

Unfolding The Mind

Bird Foot Skeletal Schematics – Scoter

Bird Foot Skeletal Schematics – Scoter

Bird Foot Skeletal Schematics – Grebe

Bird Foot Skeletal Schematics – Grebe

Bird Foot Skeletal Schematics – Loon

Bird Foot Skeletal Schematics – Loon

Slide 6: M = Microorganisms

Slide 6: M = Microorganisms

Slide 12: Adjusting the M-Side

Slide 12: Adjusting the M-Side

Slide 21: SmartBOD

Slide 21: SmartBOD

Slide 28: Vitastim Rebuild

Slide 28: Vitastim Rebuild

Coleus Blumei

Coleus Blumei

Ascomycota Morphology – Conidiophores with Hapoid Conidia

Ascomycota Morphology – Conidiophores with Hapoid Conidia

Petite Orchid

Petite Orchid

Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray

Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray

Polished Stones I

Polished Stones I

Polished Stones II

Polished Stones II

From The Backyard: Iris Roots

From The Backyard: Iris Roots

Kieffer Pears

Kieffer Pears

Succulent

Succulent

CONTACT

To get a starting quote for your project, please fill out the form or click the request button below! There are a lot of things to consider, so please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Leigh M. Nelson

(650) 207-1627

[email protected]

Leigh Nelson

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