Biography

'Although it is seldom felt, and seldom fulfilled, it is nevertheless one of the foremost duties - to know Nature, to realize the value of Nature’s great and wonderful Chain,- to regard its splendour devoutly and with admiration,- to use its products wisely and with consideration.' Carl Peter Thunberg

Dr Anne Llewellyn exhibits her work both in Australia and internationally and is interested in the use of illustration in communicating environmental information. Anne's research in the development of fieldwork methods has taken her to a range of habitats throughout Australia and the United States. The traditional and historical underpinning of natural history illustration and how it is applied in a contemporary framework is a main focus of her research, teaching and professional practice. Anne is particularly drawn to the arid regions of Australia and has conducted fieldwork along the Canning Stock Route, Larapinta Trail in Kakadu, Uluru and the Kimberley regions.

Qualifications

• PhD, University of Newcastle, 2009
• Master of Design, University of Newcastle, 2002
• Graduate Diploma of Art, Hunter Institute of Higher Education, 1998
• Bachelor of Arts (Visual Arts), Newcastle College of Advanced Education, 1987

Research

Research keywords

• Art of Environmental Information
• Fieldwork Methodology

Research expertise

After completing a research Master’s degree titled: The Art of Communicating Environmental Information in 2002, Anne undertook doctoral research in a thesis titled: The development of an Innovative Field Research Methodology for Natural History Illustrators - Is There Method in the Madness? and was awarded her PhD in 2008. This project focused on the importance of field observation and recording in the development of accurate illustrative artwork.

Field research in the area of natural history illustration is ad hoc at best and the development of a cumulative new approach to data collection, interpretation and application will benefit natural science illustrators in Australia and internationally. The research involved the development of an integrated new field research model that was derived by critically evaluating and extracting relevant methods from the diversity of techniques and methods currently practiced, as well as interviewing key practitioners in the field. The resultant methodology assists illustrators to achieve consistently accurate data collection in the field and reliable results in their 'finished' artwork.

The diverse nature of research in Natural History Illustration requires a multi-disciplinary approach to supervision and research. It is common for Anne to collaborate with colleagues from the Earth Sciences, Fine Art and Education and organizations such as the Australian Museum and Royal Botanic Gardens.

With over twenty years as a practicing illustrator and extensive experience in creative achievement including exhibition, consultancy and publication, Anne has had 22 solo and 22 group exhibitions as well as a range of publications and research presentations. She is currently supervising over twenty research projects across a broad spectrum of related areas that are examining the ways natural history illustrators can interpret and visually clarify what are often complex scientific concepts.

Collaboration

Development of an innovative fieldwork methodology for Natural History Illustrators.

Fields of Research

Memberships

Body relevant to professional practice.

• member - Guild of Natural Science Illustrators
• Member - The Australian Museum Society
• member - Friend of the National Library

Committee/Associations (relevant to research).

• member - Friends of Kings Park and Botanic Garden Perth

Appointments

Awards

Award

Invitations

Administrative

Administrative expertise

Head of School Design Communication and Information Technology

Teaching

Teaching keywords

• Natural History Field Studies
• Natural history Theoretical studies
• Natural history studio studies

Teaching expertise

• Curriculum Development
• The development and supervision of fieldwork methods and their application to studio practice.
• Conduct tutorials, studio sessions, workshops and student field excursions across the four years of the program and for RHD students
• Initiate, develop and review course and program material
• Course coordination across the four years of the undergraduate program
• Preparation and delivery of lectures and seminars
• Supervise the program of study of honours students and of post-graduate students engaged in program work
• Supervise major honours and postgraduate research projects
• Consultation with students
• Marking and assessment
• Established liaison with professional and community networks

Programs

• B Natural History Illustration
• B Natural History Illustration (Honours)

Courses

• DESN1550 - Natural History Field Studies 2
• DESN1560 - Natural History Studio Studies 2
• DESN2550 - Natural History Field Studies 4
• DESN2560 - Natural History Studio Studies 4
• DESN3560 - Natural History External Project
• DESN4600 - Natural History Illustration Honours A
• DESN4620 - Natural History Illustration Honours C
• DESN4630 - Natural History Illustration Honours D