#ichthyologist

Kit Fraser @kitcadoodle​ contributed “The Shark Lady” about Euginie Clark to Awesome ‘Possum 4, now on Kickstarter. Kit is a cartoonist living in New York. Her work can be found on The Nib, The Stranger, and in other publications and anthologies. She contributed to Awesome ‘Possum 3: “Introducing Salmon.”

How did you pick your topic for Awesome ‘Possum? For this volume of Awesome ‘Possum, I knew I wanted to make a biographical comic about a scientist. I love learning about the natural world, but I often forget that behind this knowledge are many years of hard work and research by many passionate people, so I wanted to highlight one person’s work. Eugenie Clark stood out to me as a strong female scientist who overcame many obstacles that women (especially biracial women and women of color!) face in the field of science. She made deep impacts in the study of marine life and really blazed a trail for women who followed in her footsteps. I knew only a little bit about her when I began my proposal for Awesome ‘Possum 4, but it quickly became clear that she was a scientist everyone should know about! By featuring Clark, I hope some people are inspired to become more involved in studying the natural world or supporting those that do!

(The above image of Euginie Clark is copyright John Pendygraft)

What is your favorite animal or plant? My favorite plant (at the moment!) is hibiscus—beautiful and edible!

Why do you think talking about nature is important? I think for many people nature can feel distant, but we are inextricably tied to the natural world. The more we talk about different species of animals, plants, and ecosystems, the more holistic our worldview is. By 2020, 67% of invertebrate populations will have gone extinct, as compared to numbers from 1970. It’s clear that we are in a time where talking about nature and our relationship to it is essential, not just for the well being of our favorite animals, but for our own well being as a species.

What are your favorite drawing tools? I love using Sakura ink pens and I usually color with watercolor paints, but I also enjoy playing around with different mediums.

Rest in peace, Eugenie Clark.  Known throughout her career as an ichthyologist as the Shark Lady, Clark worked her whole life as an educator in the marine sciences, including spreading awareness of the need for marine conservation, leading pioneer innovations in SCUBA diving, and capturing the public’s imagination with her accounts of adventures on the high seas throughout the world (get Lady with a Spear if you need proof).  She died on this date in 2015 at the age of 92, still teaching classes and diving all the way up to the time of her death.  Buy some shark stamps today!