We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Clancy Weaver. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Clancy below.
Clancy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
The mission behind my work is all about using art to promote environmental literacy and conservation, especially focusing on the often-overlooked species like insects. I’m really passionate about illustrating the delicate balance in nature and showing how every tiny detail, whether it’s a beetle or a flower, plays a vital role in the bigger picture. A lot of times, people overlook the importance of insects and other small organisms, and my goal is to change that by bringing them into the spotlight through my illustrations.
Why does this mission matter so much to me? Well, conservation has never been more important. We’re living in a time where the planet is facing some huge challenges, like climate change, habitat loss, and the alarming decline in biodiversity. It’s not just a matter of saving trees or large animals, I think about understanding that the entire web of life, from the tiniest insect to the tallest tree, is interconnected. Without healthy ecosystems, we risk losing essential services that we often take for granted, like pollination and pest control. That’s where conservation comes in. If we want to have a healthy future, we need to take care of every part of nature, not just the parts we see or value most.
I also believe that all of this starts with education. If we want people to care about conservation and take action, we have to meet them where they are and make the information easy to understand and engage with. That’s where my illustrations come in, I hope to create educational content that makes environmental issues more digestible and accessible. The goal is to simplify complex scientific concepts without losing their meaning or significance. Like textbooks, online content, or educational programs, I want my art to play a part in making environmental literacy more approachable and relatable for everyone.
What really drives me is the idea that art can bridge that gap, if that makes sense. A drawing can capture a moment in nature in a way that is visually compelling and can make people stop and think. I think if people can appreciate the beauty and complexity of the natural world, especially the parts they might not even notice, it might inspire them to take action. Whether that means supporting local conservation efforts, making sustainable choices, or even just getting outside and paying attention to the world around us, every little bit helps.
And right now, with everything that’s happening on a global scale, conservation feels urgent. We don’t have the luxury of time to wait. Species are disappearing, ecosystems are collapsing, and we’re facing a future that could be drastically different if we don’t make a change. That’s why I’ve dedicated my work to helping people see the importance of these issues in a way that’s personal and meaningful. We all have a part to play, and I hope my illustrations can help spark that awareness and action.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a scientific illustrator with a particular focus on natural science. I’ve always had a deep love for nature, and I’ve spent most of my life fascinated by the tiny creatures and ecosystems that are often overlooked. My journey into the world of scientific illustration started in childhood, when I’d spend hours sketching plants, insects, and animals from the world around me. It wasn’t until I was in college, pursuing my BFA in Illustration with a minor in scientific illustration, that I realized I could blend my love for art with my passion for science.
Growing up with learning disabilities like ADHD and other handicaps, I often found traditional learning methods challenging, especially when it came to absorbing information from lectures and worksheets. I learned that visuals made all the difference. Diagrams, illustrations, and infographics helped me break down concepts in a way that felt more interactive and accessible. I would find myself in class flipping ahead in textbooks just to see the illustrations. This experience sparked my passion for textbook and academic illustrations. I realized that hand drawn visuals have the power to make even the most complicated subjects easier to understand. Now, I aim to create illustrations that do the same for others, whether it’s simplifying scientific information or visually conveying environmental issues. I want my artwork to serve as a bridge for those who learn best through visual storytelling, just as I did.
I use my illustrations to promote environmental literacy and conservation, aiming to make complex environmental/ecological and scientific concepts more accessible and digestible for a wider audience. My primary focus these days is on insects (entomology) and the role they play in maintaining ecosystems. Insects are vital to our environment, how they pollinate plants, control pests, and contribute to the natural cycles that sustain life and our local communities. Through my work, I strive to highlight their importance and bring attention to the role that smaller, often invisible creatures play in the bigger picture of environmental health.
Alongside this, I also aim to create illustrations for educational purposes, such as books, magazines, and other resources that teach people about nature and conservation. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with institutions like the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, and network at the Smithsonian to meet more experienced artists in my industry. I am involved primarily in Georgia’s coastline, where my work hangs in a collection highlighting our coastal flora and fauna at the Grey’s Reef and Ocean Discovery Center in Savannah, GA. I am also proud to say I am a member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, GNSI. The organization is dedicated to advancing and promoting the field of scientific illustration. Our members include illustrators, educators, and researchers who use art to communicate scientific knowledge in a clear and engaging way
What sets me apart is my dedication to making scientific information accessible without losing its depth and meaning. I understand that conservation and environmental education can sometimes feel overwhelming or distant, so I have always wanted to make my work approachable and engaging. Whether through fine details in my insect illustrations or my use of color and composition to tell a story in an infographic or poster, my goal is to spark curiosity and inspire people to connect with the natural world in a meaningful way.
I’m most proud of how my work helps bridge the gap between science and art, and I’m excited about the potential my illustrations have to educate and inspire others, especially in my own community here on the Georgia coastline. The most fulfilling part of my journey has been seeing how my work has resonated with people. It’s inspiring someone to learn more about conservation or simply making them see the beauty in something they may have never noticed before. For example, recently some of my friends told me that my illustrations have made them feel less afraid of the bugs they find in their homes and on the sidewalk, which is exactly what I had hoped my work would do.
For potential clients or followers, I want them to know that my work isn’t just about creating images. It’s about conveying a message and helping to shift the way people think about the environment. I’m passionate about using art to make a difference, through environmental education, conservation efforts, or simply sparking curiosity about the world around us. I want my illustrations to be a tool for change, helping to shape a future where we recognize the value of all creatures and work together to protect the natural world.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is the ability to make a meaningful impact through my work. I can help someone understand a scientific concept in a more accessible way or inspire curiosity about the natural world. When people resonate with my illustrations, they’re learning something new or seeing beauty in something they hadn’t noticed before. It’s a powerful and personal reminder of the power art has to inspire, educate, and even change perspectives. The act of translating complex ideas into visuals that can evoke emotion or curiosity is incredibly fulfilling, especially through scientific illustration. It feels like I’m not just creating art, I’m contributing to a greater conversation, helping others connect with the environment and the world around them in a more thoughtful way.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
One of the most defining moments of my journey as a creative has been navigating my own struggles in academic environments. As I grew up, traditional learning methods often felt like an uphill battle. I would find myself falling behind in classrooms, feeling trapped in an endless cycle, struggling to absorb verbal lecture and information, and feeling frustrated with the pace of lessons. It wasn’t until later in life that I began to understand how I learn best, through visual representation. Diagrams, illustrations, and images helped me process information in a way that made sense to me. It was a turning point when I realized that I wasn’t “bad” at learning, I just needed a different approach.
This realization not only empowered me but also deepened my passion for creating art that makes information more accessible. My experience with struggling in those environments has given me the drive to make education more approachable for people like me, those who might not connect with traditional text-heavy formats. Through my illustrations, I really want to provide visual tools that simplify complex topics and make learning an inclusive experience. I want to give others the same opportunity I found to engage with information in a way that feels natural and intuitive, making knowledge feel less daunting and more relatable.
My journey has shown me that resilience isn’t just about pushing through challenges, it’s about understanding and embracing the way we process and learn. My work is a reflection of that, helping others see that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to education, and that visual storytelling can be a powerful tool for those who learn differently, like I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.clancyweaver.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiramisoou/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clancy-weaver-044786223/
