I'm Wendy, an evolutionary ecologist and natural history artist.

I've always loved both science and art. But in university I chose to pursue science — a B.Sc. joint major in Physics & Astronomy. In my last year I found myself in a course on plant evolution, simply because it fit into my class schedule. And that was it. I was hooked on plants.

I went on to complete my M.Sc. at Trent University studying the evolution of plant reproductive strategies, and then a PhD at the University of Guelph where I got into the wonderful world of polyploid ecology and evolution. From there it was on to Queen's University for a two-year postdoctoral fellowship, followed by another postdoc position at the University of Toronto Mississauga. If you'd like to know more about my academic work, you can read about my projects on the Science page.

By this time art had fallen by the wayside for nearly 15 years. But in 2021-2022, I suddenly felt the urge to start painting again. I picked up my first set of watercolours, and what better subjects to paint than my lovely plants? I enrolled in an online certificate course by the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, passing with distinction.

And so began the next chapter of my life, on a journey to satisfy both my scientific and artistic sides. I am creating artwork in which I emphasize the ecological and evolutionary stories of plants. I love to use my paintings for science communication, to raise awareness of the central role that plants play in both natural ecosystems and in human society. Plants are always shaping our world around us, though we may not always realize it!

I also love reading, kdramas & kpop, knitting, and adopting retired racing greyhounds! (This is Monty, my first greyhound and forever heart dog)