Blue Lantern Studio - Earthwatch Fellowship

In June 2004, Robi was awarded an artist fellowship by the Earthwatch Institute. From June 28 - July 9 of that year, she joined "Salmon Hotspots of the Skagit River" — a scientific expedition looking at the links between biodiversity at tributary junctions and salmon habitat.

The expedition was incredible, surpassing all my hopes and expectations. Our team consisted of three scientists from the NOAA's Fisheries Science Center in Seattle (Drs. Peter Kiffney, Correigh Greene and Tom Good), an intern from Smith College (Maggie Vinson) as well as seven volunteer field assistants from around North America.

We spent our days measuring habitat in three creeks that eventually flow into the Skagit River. Over the course of 10 days, we counted and measured more than 7,000 rocks, thousands of pieces of wood, and hundreds of underwater insects. We collected algae on tiles. We watched birds hop along the rocks looking for food and diving from trees to catch insects mid-air. We came across a massive underwater web of toad eggs and monitored the growth of the tadpoles. We saw black-tailed deer and red-tailed hawks. Turkey vultures and bald eagles. And we snorkeled among hundreds of tiny coho salmon and rainbow trout.

About the artwork

I created a large 24-panel painting which reflects the myriad creatures I encountered on the expedition: fish, birds, amphibians and insects. The painting is circular, flowing from water and water-based creatures in the centre to air and air-borne creatures at the edges.

Click here to see pictures of the work in progress.