3Q4 Bryan Ochoa Mendez: Sketching the Lab's Wild Side

Meet EESA intern, Bryan Ochoa Mendez, who combines his summer research in carbon allocation in the Amazon rainforest with a gift for capturing the Lab’s ecosystem in illustration.

Bryan came to EESA through CCI to pursue his interest in Sustainable Environmental Design, a program that enabled him to expand his skills in climate/earth sciences through environmental management research.

Bryan is especially interested in working closely with researchers to make their work more accessible and engaging through visual communication. His goal is to collaborate on projects by creating scientific illustrations, research figures, and publication artwork that clearly communicate complex ideas.

In the following Q&A, discover how Bryan’s artistry highlights the unique coexistence of science amidst a thriving natural ecosystem, reinforcing the Lab’s identity as both a world-class research institution and a steward of the Berkeley Hills.

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Q. Scientists observe the natural world through data. As an artist, do you observe it differently or similarly?

I sit at the intersection of science, art, and education. I believe they all require curiosity and careful attention. My approach to science is for it to be accessible, and through my art I can make this happen by breaking down complexity into content for diverse audiences from different backgrounds.

I’m especially interested in working closely with researchers to make their work more accessible and engaging through visual communication. Collaboration is a key aspect of my creative practice, I constantly incorporate creativity into my own research but I enjoy supporting others to ensure their valuable work is communicated effectively.

Q. Can you give us a glimpse into your creative process?

Over the summer, my inspiration stems from both my internship experience and my research project. The exciting part is that my creative spark is often unexpected. My inspiration comes from things like wildlife I see in the corner of my eye while walking around the Lab, or from background readings about my project. Over the summer, I have been focusing on researching the Amazon Rainforest, which has been foundational for many of the illustrations I have made. Additionally, I am motivated by the work culture and the beautiful place Berkeley Lab is.

I often compare my creative process with scientific approaches, which are led by curiosity. This includes making observations, gathering evidence by finding articles and background information to build a composition that accurately communicates my ideas, and experimenting with mediums. My work is really diverse and relies on mixed media. I combine different materials in each illustration I render, often using watercolors, acrylic paint, colored pencils, and ink simultaneously.

Q. Has illustrating wildlife changed how you experience a walk around the Lab?
Definitely, I constantly look for references and ideas around the Lab. I particularly go on walks during the biweekly “Botanical Bites” event around the UC Garden to look for species I have not heard of before, snap a few photos, and then do my research to create a composition that is both exciting to look at and educational.

Botanical Bites is an internal EESA event that takes place every other week. This effort aims to strengthen the EESA work culture by building community with researchers in our division to spark conversations and collaboration. We visit the UC Botanical Garden, have lunch together, and then either head back to the Lab or walk around the garden before returning to work. I often explore the garden with other interns to gather inspiration from available specimens, take different pictures, and create a composition in my sketchbook. I’ve made these compositions every time we visit, not only to document my summer experience creatively but also to share with peers as these details often go unnoticed.

See more of Bryan’s work.