Sunday, January 8, 2012

Covers and art on display at MIT




I have an art display in MIT's infinite corridor during January. I am displaying the two covers I did for Trends in Cell Biology [link], along with some of the original watercolors and a blurb about the process.

The display is in the main infinite corridor, very close to MIT's main entrance at 77 Massachusetts Avenue (Lobby 7, the bright lobby in the photo). After entering at 77 Mass Ave, continue walking into the main corridor. The display is to the right.


Below are the blurbs I used:

Atomic force microscopy techniques, or AFM, allow scientists to observe and manipulate cell surfaces using a small probe tip. This conjured an image of a scientist kneeling on a cell surface and prodding things, which lead to this cover. Graphite, watercolor and gouache were used.

Many thanks to MIT graduate students, who assisted by donning lab gear and crouching in the hallways while I took reference photos.



Protein molecules are transported through the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane by translocation channels. I read as far as “protein transportation” in the abstract, then put it down and drew the cover. (I did do other research, but the basic design was very fast.)

Pen and watercolor were used to finish these illustrations. Both covers were digitally edited with Corel Painter.

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