Local Leader Spotlight

Julius Csotonyi

Meet Julius Csotonyi, a Vancouver-based scientific illustrator and natural history fine artist who has been generously donating his time to host learn to draw workshops with Sierra Club BC since 2020.

Dr. Julius Csotonyi has a scientific background in ecology and microbiology which has taken him to study sensitive ecosystems, from sand dunes in the Rocky Mountains to hydrothermal vents at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. These experiences have fueled a strong resolve to work toward preserving biodiversity. Painting biological subjects is one means that he uses to both enhance public awareness of biodiversity and to motivate concern for its welfare.

Julius paints murals and panels that have appeared in numerous museums including the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, press release images for scientific publications, books, stamp sets like the 2018 “Sharks of Canada” set for Canada Post, and coins for the Royal Canadian Mint. Learn more about his work through his online gallery.

Read on to learn more about Julius and his inspiring work. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

How did you get involved with Sierra Club BC?

I attended one of your fundraising events sometime in January of 2020. I did a live acrylic painting that was then donated for the auction. And so that was the very first learn to draw event I did. And then from there, it just snowballed.

I had the idea for the how to draw webinars soon after because the pandemic had just hit, and kids were at home instead of school. I thought it would be really nice to have an educational way for them to keep busy at home. So I contacted you guys about that, and you thought it was a great idea and it just went from there. They have been such a hit. I love the fact we’re reaching this new generation, inspiring them to care.

What made you think about using art as a way to teach people about science?

People love to learn about science a lot of the time. But for many people it feels over their head, and they can get overwhelmed. I find that art is something that engages different parts of our minds. And it reaches people in a way that is fun and engaging. We take away from these events not just learning about the environment, but also about how to develop a new, fun skill we can apply to so many other things.

And something that’s so interesting about when you’re doing art about a being, you get to see different sides of it. You learn about it through a textbook or through a presentation. Lovely. I love to do that, but when you’re drawing it, you get to see, like, how the different parts of it would interact with the system. I feel like that’s such a unique way to go about learning and teaching.

Are there, in the learn to draw webinars, any plans for animals you are excited to draw that we haven’t featured yet?

Oh absolutely. I know this year we’re going to be doing a shark! Sharks are among my favorite animals. We’re going to be doing salmon sharks. They’re beautiful. And it’s a being that more of us than we realize can see since they live on the coast of B.C. So be on the lookout for that.

Do you have a message for folks who want to do more for the environment but don’t know where to start?

Oh, so many messages. There are so many things we can do. One of the things that I’ve learned over the last little while getting involved with Sierra Club BC and other organizations and independently, is that that we really can make a difference in so many ways. And one of them is just setting an example.

We can talk to our friends and family about , not in a way that’s necessarily judgmental, but when they see your excitement about these beautiful beings and things we can do that are fun, interactive and, cooperative, like going to ocean cleanups, for example, it makes a huge difference.

One of the other things that I always tell people during learn to draw webinars, is to take your drawings and include them in letters to your government representative, MLAs, MPs and City Hall councilors. It’s easier for them to remember a message if they see a beautiful picture associated with it. This is just one more fun way to involve artwork.

Keep bugging politicians. It really makes a difference. This is the only way they can see very clearly that we want them to do certain things. Meet with them. Tell them what you want. You can arrange individual meetings by phone or in person. Do it as much as possible because they actually want us to do this, because this is how they can go to their meetings to say: “You know what? This is what my constituents want, and they are really vocal about it.” So keep doing that!