Today's post is part of my new blog series called "Meet the Artist." Each month I will be interviewing a different artist and featuring several examples of their work. This month I chose Daniel Mullendore, of Pullman, Washington. Daniel studies plant biology at Washington State University and creates the vivid micrographs you see here. Scroll down to read the full interview below.
"The aesthetic value of plant anatomy is often overlooked in the course of scientific inquiry. Light microscopy, with the aid of dyes, yields images of hidden landscapes imbued with color and symmetry. These beautiful microscopic structures are eclipsed by more easily observable botanical features, such as foliage and inflorescences. All of my images are micrographs of plant anatomical features that may be dyed to accentuate differing cell wall features."Merriam-Webster defines a micrograph as "a graphic reproduction (as a photograph) of the image of an object formed by a microscope"
Daniel took the time to answer a few questions about his work:
I like how your titles read like ingredients for a potion that might allow one to talk to unicorns for six minutes ... all we're missing is hoof root and dire wolf hair. What is your favorite micrograph you've taken so far?
"My favorite micrograph so far is Crystal Creek Stream Bed because the entire micrograph is one cell layer thick, which is extremely difficult to preform because parenchyma cells average 50 microns in diameter."
What inspired you to pursue a degree in plant biology?
"My Grandma is my biggest inspiration because she would always let me help gardening in the summers and make jelly from wild picked berries."
I like that your grandma is your biggest inspiration. My grandma has inspired me too. Have you had any formal training as an artist or are you self-taught?
"I completed a one semester course in beginning sculpture during my undergraduate degree but besides that I guess I am self taught."
Where do you hope to see yourself 5 years from now?
"In five years, I hope to be running my own lab, teaching students microscopy and perhaps traveling a bit to exhibit my artwork for public outreach."
What is one of your favorite cities you've lived in or visited?
"I have two favorite cities, Paris, France and San Francisco, CA because of the food, art and culture."
What was the last album or song you listened to?
"The last album I listened to was Greatest Hits of Waylon Jennings (I love old time country)."
Ah, yes. I find Willie Nelson and Hank Williams Sr. are both relaxing to sketch by. What was the last book you read?
"The last book I have read is Taiz and Zeiger's "Plant Physiology". Boring, I know, but my prelims are in three weeks."
I bet it has a lot of interesting illustrations! Good luck with your prelims and thanks for sharing your work!
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Find Daniel's unique shop (called MicroscopicArt) over on Etsy HERE.
I like "Big Banana Root." It reminds me of the ocean floor somehow.
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