Sharon Birzer

I live in Seattle by the shores of the Salish Sea, work as an illustrator and teach Scientific Illustration.

Earning a BFA and an MFA in painting and printmaking, and a certificate in Natural History Illustration from the University of Washington, my studies have included extensive inquiry in visual art. Honing and melding these various artistic forms over time, I’ve always had particular interest in exploring and documenting the beauty and precise details found in nature.

In support of this lifelong pursuit, I am currently focused on the Botanical Illustration courses at the Royal Botanical Garden of Edinburgh. These extensive studies required in earning a Diploma of Botanical Illustration allow me to better observe, understand and record the rich and fascinating mosaic of plant life.

Title of the Project:

Wildflowers of the Garry Oak Ecosystem

About the Project:

I observed and recorded plants associated with Garry oak (Quercus garryana) ecosystems: specifically, native wildflowers found in the environs of the Pacific Northwest.

Prior to European settlement, many coastal areas in the Pacific Northwest (Washington State, Vancouver B.C. and the West coast of British Columbia) were dominated by Garry oak ecosystems, but these ecosystems are Washington State's most rapidly disappearing and threatened ecosystems, currently comprising less than 3 percent of the original acreage.

Garry oak ecosystems play a mutually beneficial role in the rich and complex culture of the First Nations of this region. There is currently an effort to rescue and restore this imperiled ecosystem, which includes connecting to essential knowledge of Garry oak ecosystem management that comes from the First Nations.

The landscapes of Garry oak ecosystems include shady woodlands, grasslands, and meadows with scattered trees. These meadows are known for their spectacular wildflower displays during spring, and the five wildflowers I chose to focus on are a few of the many species which thrive as part of these unique environments.

Illustrations: