Maggie Enterrios Sea Life Illustration for The Nature Conservancy featuring shellfish and other sea life

The Nature Conservancy
Editorial Illustration

  • Maggie was commissioned by the Nature Conservancy to create a stunning one-page illustration for their feature on the science of shells. The illustration, a dense wallpaper of shells and other sea life, accompanied a concise 125-word story. Maggie's artwork captured the intricacies of shells and sea life found along the Gulf Coast, creating a visual feast for readers.

  • The Nature Conservancy is a leading global conservation organization dedicated to protecting the lands and waters upon which all life depends. Through innovative approaches, collaborative partnerships, and science-based initiatives, the Nature Conservancy works to conserve the Earth's most precious natural resources.

The Nature Conservancy Magazine entrusted Maggie with the task of creating an illustration that would serve as a captivating backdrop for their feature. The artwork, designed to create a visually rich and immersive experience, featured a selection of shells and sea life native to the Gulf Coast region.

Among the highlighted shells and sea life were the Shark's Eye, Scotch Bonnet, Florida Sand Dollar, Calico Crab Shell, Angulate Wentletrap, Fighting Conch, Lightning Whelk, Rose Petal Tellin, Calico Scallop, Florida Cone, Auger, Junonia, and Sea Urchin Skeleton. Maggie's meticulous attention to detail brought these marine organisms to life, capturing the essence of their unique forms and textures.

While creating the artwork, Maggie considered color combinations that would enhance the visual impact of the illustration. Even for shells traditionally appearing white or light-colored, she found opportunities to introduce soft warm and cool tones. This thoughtful color palette, which included shades of oranges, purples, and golds, broadened the overall color range and added depth to the composition.

Maggie Enterrios created each shell and sea life element individually, investing careful attention to detail. The final deliverables included a full-page illustration that served as a captivating backdrop for the feature, as well as a gastropod diagram that provided informative insights into the different shells and their characteristics.

Maggie Enterrios creating illustration for The Nature Conservancy