Willow Bend Environmental Education Center

Watercolor and ink, 2021

Art Director: Julie Sullivan Brace, Shine Creative Industries

In 2021, Claire Loon Baldwin partnered with Shine Creative Industries to create a series of watercolor illustrations for the Willow Bend Environmental Education Center in Flagstaff, Arizona. The project focused on illustrating native species and ecosystems of the high desert region, which were incorporated into exhibits throughout the center. Claire collaborated closely with biologists and other staff to ensure scientific accuracy in her representations of the local flora and fauna.

To meet the project’s timeline, Claire utilized digital drafting techniques, enabling quick revisions and efficient editing to maintain accuracy. The final style combines organic, detailed elements with the graphic clarity needed for outdoor signage, ensuring both educational efficacy and aesthetic appeal. These illustrations were used in educational displays at the Willow Bend Environmental Education Center, providing an engaging and informative experience for visitors.

A beautifully illustrated chart labeled "High Desert Fauna," featuring nine animals found in desert habitats. The illustrations include a Lazuli Bunting, a small bird with vibrant blue and orange plumage, perched delicately. Next is a striped skunk, depicted mid-stride with a bold black body and prominent white stripe running along its back. A Bullock's Oriole, with its striking orange body and black markings, is perched elegantly. A gray fox with a sleek, agile body and bushy tail stands alert. A broad-tailed hummingbird, a small bird with iridescent green feathers and a bright pink throat, hovers mid-air. The Plateau Fence Lizard is shown resting on a branch, its rough-textured skin blending into its environment. The Many-Lined Skink features a slender, striped body with a long blue tail. A mule deer, with its graceful antlers, is depicted walking cautiously. Finally, the Red-Backed Dark-Eyed Junco, a small gray bird with subtle reddish-brown back feathers, is perched on a twig.

An illustration showcasing the ecosystem surrounding a Ponderosa Pine tree. The tall tree stands at the center, its textured trunk and green needle-like foliage depicted with fine detail. A circular inset shows an Abert's squirrel clutching a pinecone at the tree's base, emphasizing the animal's role in the tree's life cycle. Another inset features a Downy Woodpecker with its distinctive red patch on its head, perched on a branch. The background portrays a serene landscape of blue skies, fluffy clouds, and scattered desert flora, highlighting the harmony of the ecosystem.

A detailed illustration of a gray fox, gracefully walking with its head slightly tilted. The fox's sleek body is covered in silvery-gray fur, blending into warmer tones of orange on its sides and ears. Its bushy tail is tipped with black, and its keen amber eyes gaze forward. The pose captures the fox’s agile and cautious nature.

A detailed watercolor illustration of a Plateau Fence Lizard, scientifically named Sceloporus tristichus. The lizard is depicted in a naturalistic pose, resting on a rock. Its textured skin is rendered in shades of grayish-brown with subtle blue hues on its underbelly, indicative of its species. Its legs are slightly bent as it looks alertly to the side, its claws detailed with precision. The background is minimal, with white space emphasizing the lizard's intricate patterning and anatomy.

A watercolor painting of a Red-Backed Dark-Eyed Junco, scientifically known as Junco hyemalis. This small bird is perched on a delicate branch with its body facing left. Its plumage features soft gray tones with a distinctive red-brown patch on its back. The wings are carefully detailed, showing layers of feathers. The bird’s beak is a pale pink, and its round black eyes are vividly expressive.

A vibrant watercolor illustration of a Broad-Tailed Hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus, mid-flight. The bird's iridescent green feathers shimmer with subtle yellow undertones, and its throat is adorned with a brilliant magenta patch. Its long, slender beak is slightly curved, and its wings are gracefully outstretched, showcasing fine details of the feathers. The tail features soft gradients of gray. The background is left blank.

A watercolor artwork depicting a desert landscape with a rocky terrain and lush greenery, including bushes and trees. Two circular frames highlight specific creatures within the scene: a richly detailed lizard with a blue tail and a ground squirrel standing upright. The painting showcases the interdependence of flora and fauna in the high desert environment.

A detailed hand-painted depiction of a striped skunk mid-stride. The skunk’s characteristic thick black fur is complemented by its iconic white stripe running along its back and bushy tail. Its inquisitive expression and detailed features, such as its small nose and wide eyes, are rendered with precision.

A vibrant watercolor illustration depicting a Lazuli Bunting and a Raccoon in a high desert setting. The Lazuli Bunting, with its striking blue and orange plumage, is perched on a branch within a circular frame. Below, a playful Raccoon is illustrated within another circular frame, surrounded by lush grasses and rocks. The scene features a background of a sprawling willow tree and rugged terrain, painted in soft earth tones and muted greens.

Willow Bend Environmental Education Center

Watercolor and ink, 2021

Glacier Sunset

Wild Thoughts

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