JOURNAL
Notes from the field, studio and curious places in between.
Observations, work in progress, natural history rabbit holes, expedition stores, ideas and experiences that surface while in the pursuit of creative and curious adventure.
Group Exhibition ~ Carmel, California
I’m delighted to have three pieces included in LOOK CLOSER, a group exhibition dedicated to the art of scientific illustration at the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts in Carmel, California.
I’m delighted to have three pieces included in LOOK CLOSER, a group exhibition dedicated to the art of scientific illustration at the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts in Carmel, California
Monterey Bay shaped both my life and my work, so it feels especially meaningful to have these pieces shown close to where they began. The exhibition includes the Great White Shark illustration from Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sharks: Myth and Mystery exhibit, along with two works from the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary’s Threatened and Thriving poster series.
All three pieces grew from close observation: the shark painted with the smallest brushes I had, then enlarged 1000% for the aquarium exhibit; a Right Whale, which I hope someday to see in the wild, paired with the ever-present Western Gull, which I see anytime I’m near the coast; and a composition inspired by watching Snowy Plovers navigating a beach dotted with Elephant Seals.
My work has taken me from Hawaii to Antarctica and across the seven seas, but Monterey Bay will always be home.
July 10 – August 15, 2026
Fourth and Guadalupe, Carmel, CA 93921
The exhibit features a diverse collection of carefully rendered depictions of the natural world that are both scientifically accurate and visually striking. Inspired by local talent and the respected certificate program at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB), the exhibition displays artwork ranging from monarchs to marine life, and dahlias to dinosaurs. In total, twenty artists have contributed pieces capturing the biodiversity of the Central Coast and beyond.
The participating illustrators bring varied backgrounds to their work. While some entered the field from biology and naturalist backgrounds, others pursued a scientific education after established careers in art and design. Many are recent graduates of the CSUMB program (which was originally developed at UC Santa Cruz), and several now teach there. Their field research spans the globe—one artist currently lives in Germany and has been diving in the Antarctic, while another draws inspiration from the tide pools near Marin County. All share a dedication to exploring oceans, shorelines, and forests, using field books to record and share their unique observations of the environment.
Magazine Article ~ Lessons Under the Ice
This month, I’m sharing my Antarctic expedition in the July 2026 issue of Exploration Quarterly that highlights drawing underwater and the artworks from that experience.
This month, I’m sharing an expedition story, “Lessons from Under the Ice,” in the July 2026 issue of Exploration Quarterly that highlights drawing underwater and the artworks from that experience.
Magazine cover
The project that began in 2017, when I traveled to Antarctica as an artist-in-residence with the National Science Foundation Antarctic Artists and Writers Program. What started as an opportunity to dive beneath the sea ice and sketch the world below has continued to unfold in ways I never expected — through field drawings, studio work, memory, and the unexpected wonderful journey of creating a 26 piece artwork series called Undersea Illuminations.
One of the things I love about Exploration Quarterly is its deep connection to curiosity: exploration not only as travel, but as attention, learning, and looking more closely. That feels like a wonderful home for this story, because Antarctica did not stop changing me when I came home. In many ways, the exploration continues every time I return to those underwater sketches.
Huge thanks to Roseanne and Jonathan Hanson for inviting me to share this work, and for creating a magazine for people who keep following their curiosity to all ends of the earth, above and below sea level.
Learn more about Exploration Quarterly and how to read the article.
Magazine article
A Day Above the Black Forest
Under blue skies and temperatures somewhere in the 90s, we hiked a treetop path past beautiful old trees and spiraled up the lookout tower for views across the Black Forest.
Under blue skies and temperatures somewhere in the 90s, we hiked a treetop path past beautiful old trees and spiraled up the lookout tower for views across the Black Forest.
A super-fast slide took us 55 meters back down to the ground, and from there we crossed a suspension bridge, swaying in the breeze 60 meters above the forest floor.
By then, my big toe was developing a blister, so I snagged a piece of kneaded eraser from my handy art bag and wedged it into place. I felt like MacGyver (and a first-time use of eraser as moleskin).
We ended the day beside the water in Calw with cold beers (mine AF) and a Little Grebe for company—a beautiful day spent walking amidst treetops, open air, and water.
A Mystery is Afoot
A mystery is afoot! I spied this caterpillar crossing a road (helped it across), and was excited to see what it would metamorphose into…just a cute little moth called: Mordraupe [Murder caterpillar]. It’s not a vegetarian but will gobble fellow insects and it morphs into the Satellite moth, which lives in the winter. The little guy I found will go on eating his omnivorous diet through the summer and goes into its pupa stage in June, only to sprout wings in September.
Spring Cleaning Pt 1
I decided to remove all the ribbons from my various medals. Not sure how I feel about doing that but I want to keep the medals ~ they mark some huge life events in my 30s and 40s.
Inspiration from Other Artists
I’m framing these so I can be reminded daily of these wisdom-isms.
FATHOM iT! Plankton
I've been nerding out on plankton since a class my senior year in college, I love to see them, draw them every chance I get. I also rescue stranded plankton from beaches and created a Plankton Rescue shirt for the cause. Plankton Nerd Alert.
© 2018 Kirsten Carlson | scratchboard + ink
Wanderlust | Drawing Under Ice
Here’s a look at some of the artwork featured in my current solo exhibition.
Exhibition | Beyond Illustrating Nature, WANDERLUST
Dates | July 8-Oct 5, 2025
Location | Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, Pacific Grove, California, USA
Weddell Seal | Leptonychotes weddellii
Benthic Sea Life | vertebrates and invertebrates of McMurdo Sound
This portrait of Antarctic sea life holds a deep significance for me. The story I wrote and illustrated for this magazine highlights my return to Antarctica as an artist in 2017. But, it was in 1992, as a graduate student in Marine Science, that I first encountered these creatures and was inspired to combine science and art.
I invite you to visit the exhibition at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History in person. Can’t make it to Pacific Grove or past the closing date? Visit the online version of the exhibition. Leave me a comment and let me know which sea creature in which art is your fave!
Wanderlust | Tiny Clues to a Big Mystery
Here’s a look at some of the artwork featured in my current solo exhibition.
Exhibition | Beyond Illustrating Nature, WANDERLUST
Dates | July 8-Oct 5, 2025
Location | Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, Pacific Grove, California, USA
Blue Whale | Balaenoptera musculus
Cassin’s Auklet | Ptychoramphus aleuticus
Adélie Penguin | Pygoscelis adeliae
Pacific Krill | Euphausia pacifica
Antarctic Krill | Euphausia superba
Spoiler alert, the tiny pink krill are the star of this children's book. Krill are planktonic shrimp-like creatures. How big is a krill compared to you? The largest one, which lives around Antarctica, is about the size of your thumb. I loved illustrating and designing this book, working alongside the scientists and authors to shine a light on the research they're doing to understand the food webs that interconnect these species. Krill are not just whale food, they are charismatic microfauna.
I invite you to visit the exhibition at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History in person. Can’t make it to Pacific Grove or past the closing date? Visit the online version of the exhibition. Leave me a comment and let me know which sea creature in which art is your fave!
Wanderlust | Drawing Under Ice
Here’s a look at some of the artwork featured in my current solo exhibition.
Exhibition | Beyond Illustrating Nature, WANDERLUST
Dates | July 8-Oct 5, 2025
Location | Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, Pacific Grove, California, USA
Underwater Sketch
Giant Volcano Sponge | Anoxycalyx joubini
Antarctic anemone (no common name) | Artemidactis victrix
Undersea Illumination of Sketch
Giant Volcano Sponge | Anoxycalyx joubini
Antarctic anemone (no common name) | Artemidactis victrix
This is a drawing done with graphite on polypropylene paper in 2017 while scuba diving in Antarctica. I've been diving and drawing underwater since 2006, but in the past I used the sketches as personal inspiration and reference for more detailed studio work and never shared them publically. My experience in Antarctica shifted how I felt about that and how I now use them. I want to inspire others to join me as an underwater explorer and take their sketchbooks snorkeling and scuba diving.
This is a continuation of the original drawing created with graphite, watercolor and gouache. It’s furthering my practice of exploring, and all that entails, from failure to wonderment. At this stage, I call this an Undersea Illumination because along with recording and observing during the dive, I add to it musings from my curious and creative mind, fill in details and further explore and keep the memory of the experience alive in the post-dive illustration.
I invite you to visit the exhibition at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History in person. Can’t make it to Pacific Grove or past the closing date? Visit the online version of the exhibition. Leave me a comment and let me know which sea creature in which art is your fave!
Wanderlust | Thriving Seabird & Threatened Whale
Here’s a look at some of the artwork featured in my current solo exhibition.
Exhibition | Beyond Illustrating Nature, WANDERLUST
Dates | July 8-Oct 5, 2025
Location | Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, Pacific Grove, California, USA
Northern Right Whale | Eubalaena japonica
Western Gull | Larus occidentalis
Because Right Whales are so rare, I have yet to see one in real life. Quite the opposite situation with the Western Gull, as they are everywhere. But regardless of the animal, how threatened or thriving it is, when I’m near the sea, I always have my eye open for any and all sea life. I’m amazed by what I see, every time, and living landlocked in Europe has made it all the more precious.
I invite you to visit the exhibition at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History in person. Can’t make it to Pacific Grove or past the closing date? Visit the online version of the exhibition. Leave me a comment and let me know which sea creature in which art is your fave!
Sketchbook Complete
Do you have sketchbooks?
Do you have finished pages in them?
Mine are full of incomplete entries. But I use sketchbooks as a place for me to be in the present moment, be spontaneous, distracted, focused and imperfect; a place to observe, ponder, process what I perceive in the world and listen for the creative muse. Sure, it’s wonderful when I have a page I feel is complete, it does happen…and here the proof from the most recently finished sketchbook.
2nd Annual GeoARTBlitz complete!
July 19-27, 2025
2025 Global GeoARTBlitz
An artsy infused version of a bioblitz using the citizen science app iNaturalist.
View the results on iNATURALIST.
The Global GeoARTBlitz is hosted by the Royal Geographical Society Art of Exploration Collective: Roseann Hanson, Kirsten Carlson, Tom Napper, Alex Boon, Anna Brewster, Ali Foxon, Heather Fortune and Claudia Myatt.
Members of the collective will be at the Royal Geographical Society’s Explore Week sharing the results from this year’s GeoARTBlitz and talking about other ways to explore the world with both science and art. I’ll be there! It’s THE place to learn how to be an explorer!
Join Explore Week, October 27. to November 2. 2025 in London!
This year’s contribution to the 2025 Royal Geographical Society Global GeoARTBlitz | July 19-27
Wanderlust | Thriving Seal & Threatened Shorebird
Here’s a look at some of the artwork featured in my current solo exhibition.
Exhibition | Beyond Illustrating Nature, WANDERLUST
Dates | July 8-Oct 5, 2025
Location | Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, Pacific Grove, California, USA
Northern Elephant Seal |Mirounga angustirostris
Western Snowy Plover |Charadrius nivosus nivosus
While doing field research for this poster, I visited a secret colony and used my binoculars to watch Snowy Plovers navigating adeptly through the maze of Elephant Seals lying all over the beach. I was lucky to witness the incredible comeback of these seals while living in Monterey, there used to be one reliable place to see them and now there are many.
I invite you to visit the exhibition at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History in person. Can’t make it to Pacific Grove or past the closing date? Visit the online version of the exhibition. Leave me a comment and let me know which sea creature in which art is your fave!
Wanderlust | Great White Shark
Here’s a look at some of the artwork featured in my current solo exhibition.
Exhibition | Beyond Illustrating Nature, WANDERLUST
Dates | July 8-Oct 5, 2025
Location | Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, Pacific Grove, California, USA
Great White Shark (GWS) | Carcharodon carcharias
This art is on display at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History through November 5th, 2025. It’s the first art a visitor encounters in the stairwell on the way to the exhibition on the second floor of the museum.
The large business end of the shark is printed at the size of a full grown GWS. Take a selfie and share it with me, please! I have a goal to get 100 smiling sharkie selfies from visitors to the museum.
I created this illustration for Monterey Bay Aquarium and we broke one of the golden rules of illustration: shrink your art when reproducing it. Instead, we enlarged it 1000%. We blew it up! Figuratively speaking.
I invite you to visit the exhibition at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History in person. Can’t make it to Pacific Grove or past the closing date? Visit the online version of the exhibition. Leave me a comment and let me know which sea creature in which art is your fave!
She must be an artist…
I noticed my new Converse match my toenail polish EXACTLY 🤓 color coincidence? I guess I really, really like this color. 😆
A Wonderful Excuse to Spend Time in Nature
Join in from anywhere on the planet for a week of Creativity + Nature + iNaturalist = Global GeoARTBlitz 2025, July 19th to 27th.
Explore, record and share your field observations ~
CREATE a journal page, painting, poem, or music (any art) in response to your nature observations.
RECORD metadata: longitude, latitude, time, date, elevation, weather and
UPLOAD to iNaturalist.
Hosted by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) members of the Art of Exploration Collective. I'll be geoblitzing around Germany, and would love for you to join in! Get all the details and sign up via the event in this post. I look forward to seeing your GeoARTBlitz Creations!
Exhibition | Wanderlust
My 2025 Solo Exhibition begins this month!
My work is featured in a California exhibit that exemplifies the matrix of science, art, and nature. It’s a quarterly rotating exhibition done in partnership with the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History and California State University-Monterey Bay Science Illustration Certification Program. Visit it in person: July 8 to October 5, 2025.
A New Logo for my Studio
The new logo for FATHOM iT STUDIOS features a vintage diver’s helmet, as a way for me to acknowledge that I stand on the shoulders of the people who invented a way to travel below sea level. The light shining from within isn’t meant to highlight the diver but glows to illuminate the undersea world and is a metaphor for curiosity. Anyone could be inside the helmet looking out.
I printed business cards with MOO.com and took advantage of their ability to do up to 20 different designs on the second side (which in my case is the card front). I also got a spot varnish on the dive helmet which I LOVE. It’s something I always wanted to do when I was in traditional design publishing but we never had the budget for it. It adds to my ooh-ah factor.
The helmet illustration was created in scratchboard and is inspired from a real (though smaller than life-size) helmet that I found at an antique shop. I fell in love with its dented exterior. I had fun creating the new look, and enjoyed getting back into scratchboard as a medium. Looking forward to illuminating many, many sea creatures (and the occasional odd bird) wearing this new look.
Happy 2025!
The Making of a Happy 2025 (card)!
Preliminary sketches
This year’s card had an unusual journey and is full of meaning and emotion. It evolved out of a series of happy accidents which I sought to honor by embracing the non-linear path that it took. There is a unique joy in bringing something tangible to life that began as a spark of imagination, and this card embodies that journey.
I chose the bird, a European Nightjar, because of its connection to the moon, as a nocturnal insectivore. I have warm memories from college of their American cousins, the Common Nightjar, watching them hunt around the dome of my university’s administrative building, Jesse Hall. Earlier this year, I identified my first one here in Germany. Initially, I mistook it for a very odd bat.
Jesse Hall at the University of Missouri-Columbia, *I noticed after the fact that those columns…are ionic!
I learned that Nightjars are truly global, found on every continent except Antarctica. Their distinct white wing and tail markings make them easy to identify in flight. Except for its columnar roosting spot on this card, spotting one at rest is almost impossible. Their feathers blend seamlessly with their surroundings.
A Nod to Empires
Before settling on the bird as a central element, I knew I wanted to include a symbol of the Roman Empire, or more specifically, its fall. I needed to find a way to express myself as I witness our government following a script almost straight out of the Republic’s decline.
I ultimately chose an Ionic column to represent this—a Greek invention, but the Romans used it extensively, just as we’ve borrowed architectural styles from both civilizations in our government buildings. Next time you’re at the Jefferson Memorial, look up!
While I initially considered using a crumbling column to evoke ruins, I decided against dwelling on decay. Instead, I placed the column front and center, as a stoic and enduring symbol. The ultimate message? Nature persists. Ecosystems endure even when humanity stumbles. Borrowing from George Carlin, Earth isn’t going anywhere, we are. Though cynical, George helps me see the future with a grain of hope and a strong sense of humor.
The Moon and a Latin Reflection
Continuing with the Roman theme, I sought a Latin phrase to encapsulate the sentiment that life goes on, no matter what. The moon is the perfect reminder of this continuity and ties everything together. For much of its history, Rome used a lunar calendar until Julius Caesar shifted the calendar to align with a solar year. Even the months of our modern calendar carry the legacy of the Roman Empire. This connection between celestial cycles and human history inspired me to create my own lunar calendar this year. The moon symbolizes both permanence and change—a reflection of life’s constancy amidst its transformations.
Imperfect Perfection
For those reading this far, here’s a confession: the card isn’t perfect. As a nod to living in Germany, I used German month abbreviations. But I missed one, Oktober. I also made a last-minute change to the web address, switching from kirstencarlson.net to fathomitstudios.com. In my haste, I forgot to update the letters after the dot. Oops. On the bright side, I’m mentioning the erroneous URL here so you don’t use it—because when you can’t fix a problem, you might as well make it a non-problem.
Sharing these mistakes is also my way of embracing vulnerability and celebrating the messy beauty of being human. This year, I’m inspired to create boldly and abundantly, leaving perfectionism behind.
My wish for all of us in 2025 is that we can cultivate a sense of humour, accept life’s ups and downs with grace, find the beauty and wonder in nature and engage in kindness with others.
Here’s to 2025—imperfections and all!
Kirsten
January 2025