Aysha McConkey
Combining Biology and Art
My name is Aysha McConkey and the sole owner behind this small business. I was born in beautiful British Columbia in a town called Abbotsford, which is located on the ancestral lands of the Halq'eméylem-speaking Stó:lō Peoples (People of the River), who have occupied this land since time immemorial.
Art and wildlife conservation have always been a part of who I am, and now I am able to share my passions with the rest of the world. Creating colourful and scientifically accurate illustrations of native and invasive wildlife to BC, species at risk, and other biological topics I am fascinated by.
A Background in Environmental Science
Growing up in the lush forests of British Columbia, Canada, I always had a close connection to nature. Ever since I was little, I was always drawing animals and watching wildlife documentaries. This passion lead me to pursue a career in wildlife conservation and work towards a Bachelors in Environmental Studies Natural Sciences from the University of the Fraser Valley.
I spent my years in university gaining valuable work experience. In 2022 to 2023 I worked as a co-op research student in integrated pest management of insect pests at the Agassiz Research and Development Centre. I assisted with current research projects on the invasive Anthonomus rubi (strawberry blossom weevil) and prepared experiments for A. rubi fecundity and oviposition. I conducted an independent research study on whether A. rubi utilizes Potentilla fruticosa for reproduction and had my research published in the Journal of the Entomological Society of British Columbia. I also have worked as an environmental technician for the Fraser Valley Conservancy and assisted in many conservation projects like the Owl Nest Box Monitoring Project, habitat restoration, snail surveying, and the Ryder Lake Amphibian Protection Program by monitoring the Western Toad population during their summer migration. Currently, for the last 3 years, I also have committed an extensive amount of my time towards bat conservation in BC. Working as a bat ambassador for BCBATS, I spend my summers conducting bat colony counts, bat rescue, assisting with bat research, and giving presentations to the community on bat conservation.
In 2024, I graduated with my bachelors and have been working as a Environmental Tech since. I am currently registered as a Biologist in Training and aiming to return to school and pursue a masters. However, from graduating it gave me the time to focus on my art and role in science communication.
Art and Science Communication
Growing up, I believed art would just be a hobby of mine, a place for me to express my interests. That all changed in 2023, where I was approached by my professor to design and paint a mural that spanned 4 walls up a stairwell at the University of the Fraser Valley.
This first mural opened the door for me to pursue art as a career and use it as a form of science communication. My next large mural was for the city of Richmond, where I painted on a outdoor washroom the bat species found in Richmond with their corresponding habitats. I have since painted a variety of different murals for small companies and helped with collaborative murals.
From my background as a research assistant, it lead me to start illustrating for research papers, such as for the article "Weighing consequences of action and inaction in invasive insect management". One of my goals is to continue to make illustrations for research papers, museums, national parks, and non-fiction books focused on wildlife.
I now sell my illustrations and original art through my online shop, at markets, and festivals. From commission work, I also have created graphic designs for t-shirts, logos, stickers, and more! My art has been taking me places all over BC and soon other regions across Canada.
I am excited for you to follow my journey and thank you so much for reading my story and supporting my dream.