In Which I Brag on My Friend … Again

If you’re in the biological sciences and expect at some point to get published, here’s someone you should know: Carl Buell.

He’s done heaps of illustrations for science author Carl Zimmer as well as cover and interior illos for countless other books and magazines. He has pieces in museums all over the world, and has designed blog headers for PZ Myers, Chris Clarke and a number of others. (And I’ve probably written about him before, but he’s just one of those cool people you can’t say enough good stuff about.)

Anyway, this article just came out on the CBS website: UBC, U.S. scientists identify organ that helps whales gulp up prey, with an illustration of a rorqual jaw showing the organ in question. Credit: Carl Buell.

Carl has a couple of enviable things about him. The artistic talent, of course. But also, the field he works in, he gets to work with biologists and paleontologists from all over the world. And damn, wouldn’t that be fun? I mean, holding an extended dialogue with the guy digging up the fossilized remains of some newly discovered ancestral whale, and then recreating the thing digitally? Whoa.

The one bad thing I can say about him is that he’s friends with me, which sort of throws his judgment into doubt, right there. But to make it worse, he also picked me as a roommate — he allowed me to live in his basement when I had my financial meltdown, and now shares an apartment with me. (And yes, I get to watch him work sometimes, as he turns a blank screen into a beautiful ancient landscape, complete with romping prehistoric critters!)

Also, all you rich ladies: He’s straight, and available.  One thing, though — if he invites you up to his artist’s loft “to show you his etchings,” and you’re all fluttery with anticipation …

For the first hour or two, you’re going to end up really looking at etchings.

 

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BTW: He also sells prints of his work. Give him a shout through his Facebook page.