Samara King

Most of the products found on the Erie Zoo eStore site are made possible through the generous art contributions of Samara King. Samara began her career as an illustrator at age 17 following a family visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium where she was inspired by a leafy seadragon. Samara spent the next 18 months working with 'Project Seahorse', researching and painting vulnerable and endangered seahorses. Combining the liveliness of fine art with the accuracy of scientific illustration, the paintings in this series were eventually used in aquarium exhibits and shops. From the California Academy of Sciences, to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in D.C., Samara has since had the privilege of working with curators, biologists and partner conservation organizations sharing the beauty and wonder of the natural world with others.