Remember ~ Illustration Friday

I haven't participated in the Illustration Friday challenge for some time. Part of the reason is because the topics/themes have been too difficult. I'm typically not a 'think outside the box' type of person so I wasn't able to come up with an idea for many of the previous themes (Phoenix, Communication, Clear, and Total are just a few). The biggest reason, however, is that I just haven't had the time to actually sit down and illustrate anything. This has frustrated me because I love to draw (biological illustration is what I'm most skilled at - though, I'm certainly just an amaetuer).

Emerita analoga "Sand or Mole Crab" - pencil sketch

This week's topic is "Remember". When I read it in my email, I immediately remembered a time when I had the opportunity to draw frequently, whenever the mood struck. In the summer of 1997, I was taking classes at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology... a full load of graduate level courses: BI 551 Invertebrate Zoology, BI 507 Marine Biology Seminar, and BI 574 Marine Ecology. I loved the experience of being surrounded by serious students of the sciences & research biologists. It was so fascinating to me. As I listened to the lectures, participated in discussions, and worked on my lab report or a paper, I continually wondered why I hadn't been as 'intrigued and focused' when I was an undergrad.

"Scallop" - colored pencil

Back then, I didn't push myself to achieve high marks. I seldom actually read the reading assignments. I did what I needed to in order to simply pass the course. I suppose it had something to do with the fact that I had to work 30+ hours a week on top of my courseload of 18-20 credits (back then, my determination was more focused upon earning a dual Bachelor degree AND graduating on time - 4 years).

"Scallop" - stippled ink

The following summer, I again immersed myself in the marine science world taking additional graduate level courses: BI 508 Lab-Biological Illustration, BI 508 Lab-Drawing Natural Forms in Color, BI 508 Lab-Biology of Toxic Tides, and BI 557 Biology of Estuaries.

To see more participants in today's challenge, visit Illustration Friday.