VISUAL
JANUARY 2018: MERIDITH MCCLURE
Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus
As a biologist, I draw from my professional background and meld it with my artwork.
Gambel Oak, Quercus gambelii
My favorite things to embroider are also my favorite things to identify and study in the field: plants, insects, and animals.
Mourning cloak butterfly, Nymphalis antiopa
Initially attempting to create more realistic pieces, I found myself drawn to the use of a botanical motif to more abstractly illustrate the image of a species.
Rio Grande cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarki virginalis
I first started doing embroidery as a way to deal with the solitude that often comes with working remotely as a field biologist.
Claret cup cactus, Echinocereus coccineus
Having lived with anxiety for a large portion of my life, embroidery provides a calming escape in which both my mind and hands are occupied.
Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis
Great blue heron, Ardea herodias
Meridith McClure
Meridith McClure is a biologist living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She seeks to use her embroidery as an outlet to educate and engage people in the beauty of the natural world. You can find more of her work at etsy.com/shop/biobroidery and instagram.com/biobroidery.