Bonnie Marris, b. Michigan, United States

Bonnie Marris has taken an unusual path into art: she developed her talent by portraying animals "from the inside out." While she was a student at Michigan State University, Bonnie illustrated several major books. One volume she worked on was a leading expert mammalogist's text that contained several hundred drawings and detailed studies. This massive project attracted the attention of noted zoologist George Schaller, who invited Bonnie to prepare the art for posters that would support his worldwide rare animal relief programs.

Beyond academic training and emotional involvement, art requires another element for which there is no substitute: experience. Each year, Bonnie makes two m...