Join Brittany Roger, animal artist and founder of the Drawing Zoo, at Safe Haven Equine Warriors for an unforgettable day with baby horse, Little Miss Sunshine “Sunny” and her mother. We will get a tour of Safe Haven Farm and the opportunity to meet many of the wonderful horses under Director, Tina Snyder’s care. Next you’ll get top notch art guidance from Brittany; she will be focusing on pencil and pen techniques but we encourage you to bring your favorite art media. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to relax with baby “Sunny” and bond with other animal artists. Horses are stand-out animals that have inspired artists and poets throughout history. We can’t wait to see what you create!

Register here: https://marylandnature.wildapricot.org/event-3449665

Cost: NHSM Members $40, NHSM Non-members $50 (16 and older)

What to bring: Bring your own art supplies. Easels are optional. A hat, closed-toed shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, snacks, and a refillable water bottle are encouraged.

Artist’s Statement: When I was 5, I was given brown 8×10 construction paper, chalk pastels and a bowl of fruit. We plotted the scene with white, then added the biggest colors. I resented the tooth of the paper under my finger as I “tickled” the apple to make the shadow blend. This spark quickly escalated to lessons at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, AP art in high school, and installing solo shows.

While studying illustration at MICA (2011), I visited the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. I was struck. Murals, infographics, diagrams, taxidermy, sculpture, and more! I knew I belonged. The following year I began illustrating for their Invertebrate Zoology department. From there, my projects ranged from cataloging plants to photographing every venomous snake in the collection. After living my dream, I enrolled in MICA’s grad program, Masters of Professional Studies. In this process, I discovered that I wanted to bring my experience to others. The Drawing Zoo was born.

Throughout this journey, my work, my students’ work, my animals and I have been featured on WBAL-11, NPR, The Newsroom, The Baltimore Sun, a half page article in CityDog Magazine, and had a full page interview in City Paper. I’ve been asked to speak at The Stoop Storytelling, MICA Talks, and was flattered to find out that my work is still being used as an example in Rebecca Bradley’s Maps and InfoGraphics lessons at MICA.I simultaneously work as a fine artist, scientific illustrator, business owner, and teaching artist. I want to show you that you don’t have to pursue art or science. We can do both! Come draw with a group of nature-crazed artists for a productive use of passion.

Brittany Roger

Founder of The Drawing Zoo, BFA Illustration, MPS Business of Art and Design, TAI graduate