Scio13 Sketchbook Swap

All filled up!

Many of you have probably seen me carrying around this sketchbook for the past year. It accompanied me to ScienceOnline 2012 (my thoughts on it here), the Grand Opening of the Nature Research Center in Raleigh,  ScienceWriters 2012, and many other places. When looking back through old sketchbooks, some of the pages I treasure most dearly end up being the pages filled with doodles and sketches from my friends.

Dragon by Maki Naro

In September of last year, I hung out with a crazy wonderful group of Mad Art Labbers at Dragon*Con. Whenever I met up with Maki Naro (of sci-ence.org/) we'd exchange sketchbooks (or in his case, an iPad) and work on an ongoing doodle. By the end of the four days I had a super spiffy dragon to live in my sketchbook and I created a fancy octopus for his iPad.


Since I'll be starting a fresh sketchbook this week at ScienceOnline 2013, I'd like to carry on the idea of sketchbook swapping and have help from all of you to fill its pages with stories, doodles, and arts. During lunch, break, or any time you might have a few minutes to make a sketch or two, wave me down and we'll swap sketchbooks/notebooks for a few minutes. I think it would be great to leave little pieces of art with as many people as we can.

Painting through the Universe: Mars

Despite how it may appear, I have not given up on Painting through the Universe! In fact, I have a new addition today. I have to admit, I felt quite a bit of pressure painting the Red Planet, but I think working my way through the panic phase of "Oh my gosh I've screwed it all up!" was worth it. This one, like most of the rest, has a black background, but I'm not sure if I'll continue that trend for the rest of them. Thoughts?

Koala Tapeworms

Earlier today I ran across a whole page of koala gifs. Koalas being cute and animated? Of course I had to share it. Somehow a conversation about koala parasites and fluffy ears sprung up between me, Tommy Lueng of The Daily Parasite, and Michelle Banks (aka Artologica) and it went something like this:

Here is a dose of adorable koalas for your day! You're welcome. diankovna.tumblr.com/post/206427552… #koalas #wanttohugALLthekoalas
— Katy Chalmers (@katyannc) April 7, 2012

@katyannc thank you - and here's a dose of adorable koala tapeworms to go with it! #whatisinsideakoala plus.google.com/photos/1114796…
— Tommy Leung (@The_Episiarch) April 7, 2012

@katyannc @The_Episiarch This was the first tweet I saw after being out all day. It's a doozy : ) They do look like they have fluffy ears
— Michele Banks (@artologica) April 8, 2012

@artologica @The_Episiarch Fluffy koala ears!!! Omg, I have to go draw that. #brbdrawing
— Katy Chalmers (@katyannc) April 8, 2012

Unable to pass up on the fluffy-eared parasite idea, I grabbed my nearest sketchbook and brush and this happened:

Fluffy-eared koala parasites. I think they want a hug?

Honestly not sure whether to say you're welcome or I'm sorry. I'll let you decide. 

Notes About Science Online 2012

This started out as a post about sketchnotes, but quickly evolved into some thoughts about Science Online...


Just over two weeks ago I nervously embarked on my first experience with Science Online 2012. Little did I know that I would leave forever changed by a community that not only welcomed me, but accepted me as one of their own.

As a lowly biology major still trying to make it out of undergrad, I felt quite a bit of the oft mentioned "impostor" syndrome. Coming at science communication from the science art angle, I wasn't sure at first how I would fit in. Science Online had an inspiring group of science artists in attendance this year, and It was wonderful to finally meet and hang out with many of them. Our "circle of artittude" at the reception held at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences was definitely one of the highlights of the conference.

I can't even begin to describe all of the wonderful people and amazing experiences (though I'm covering some of the highlights in daily science online comics here. Don't worry, Day 2 is coming!). After just the first day, my head was full of new information, ideas, and memories of great conversation. By the end, I was completely in love with the Science Online community and hated to see everyone go.

To avoid getting too sentimental, I'd just like to say this to the attendees of Science Online 2012: Thank you. Whether we exchanged many hugs throughout the conference, shook hands once, or never quite met, you all contributed to creating a community where people like me felt welcome to participate. You have given me courage and determination to continue my journey into the world of science. I feel as if I do so with a world of support at my side.

Now to give back...

Protist in Space!

I wonder how they made a space helmet this small...

This little guy happened earlier today. It was inspired by a conversation on twitter with @PsiWaveFunction who I had the pleasure of meeting last week at Science Online. The few of you who have seen it before will recognize my Earth painting in this protisty mashup.

I'm beginning to notice a pattern of sending little critters into space. Maybe I should continue with this apparent trend. Any suggestions for the next critter I should send to space?