Over the next couple months I will be assisting Dr. Jennifer Kahn (Associate Professor of Archaeology, William and Mary) in the creation of several large informational signs for a nature trail through the vast temple and agricultural complexes of the ‘Opunohu Valley on Mo’orea, French Polynesia. It has been a long standing goal of mine to collaborate on illustrations and info-graphics for community outreach in National Parks and I am finally able to begin realizing this dream!
‘Opunohu Valley, Mo’orea, French Polynesia
In 2012 I was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to Mo’orea with Dr. Kahn as a field technician and illustrator helping to survey for archaeological sites that would lend insight into the history of human habitation and subsequent ecological changes on the island. Some of my additional work with Jenny has included illustrations for the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii as well as field work and illustrations in the Miloli’i Valley on Kauai, Hawaii (see below).
My Illustration of Agricultural Terraces in the Miloli’i Valley, Na Pali Coast, Kauai
The ‘Opunohu Valley on Mo’orea is famous for its breathtaking volcanic peaks and lush forests however lesser known is the long history of human habitation. There exists a large network of sociopolitical, religious, agricultural and residential sites that span throughout the valley. Now a new nature trail is helping visitors explore and learn about the rich cultural sites that include marae (temples), houses, cooking facilities and agricultural terraces.
Marae in the ‘Opunohu Valley, Mo’orea
My participation in the project revolves around several large color reconstructive illustrations that will give viewers an insight into what the sites might have looked like when they were inhabited (up to 1,200 years ago). Much like my acrylic paintings the scenes will be active and vibrant in an effort to help bring the past to life. I will be creating these drawings digitally in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop simliar to some of my other archaeological reconstructions (see below). In addition to the color illustrations I will complete black and white drawings of plants and artifacts to help give a clear picture of objects, materials and tools found at the sites.
My Reconstructive Illustrations for the Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawai’i
For some additional information on my work as an Archaeological Illustrator please visit my website at www.archaeoillustration.com
