J. Marie Metz is a scientific illustrator at the USDA/Washington, D.C.NMNH Smithsonian Institution in the department of Systematics Entomology. She had previously worked as a scientific illustrator at The University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign and as an instructor in the Department of Art and Education at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield IL.
Marie's interest in Entomology began when her uncle placed a large moth into her hands at the age of 6 years. As a child, seeing for the first time the natural color, form, and design on the moths wings she thought she held a fairy. This experience brought art and science together for Marie in one small magic moment. As a child of 6 years she had no idea how holding a moth would in time shape her life into a scientific illustrator. Now forty something and holding, and almost grown up, Marie hopes to create illustrated images which are accurate in color, and form, capable of imparting some of the true beauty nature creates in each life she observes.
