Penny, the Department of Entomology's collections manager, describes the illustrators as angels, doing work absolutely fundamental to the Academy's scientific mission, but often devoting their time for no pay. Hundreds of able illustrators have passed through the Academy's scientific departments over the years. On these pages is a selection of work by a few of those working here today. Looking at her flies, I see what she means. Each one has its own character.
Speckles illustrates both for the botany and entomology departments.
Male fly, Exetasis eickstedtae , mixed media, illustrated for Academy research associate Evert Schlinger. Color Xerox, pen and ink, and mixed media. Wings by Ginny Kirsh, body and coloring by Victoria Saxe. Through the microscope I have access to whole other worlds. It's a form of meditation.