About the Artist
Lux Johnson is a naturalist based in Camas, Washington. Their work focuses on extinct taxa and Pacific Northwest native species. Grounded in hard science and shaped by a background in biological research, each piece results from detailed literature review, specimen analysis, and field observation - often with their dog as a constant companion. Lux creates to understand, and to help others do the same.
Of Fir and Fossil
Scientific Lens
By integrating specimen analysis, literature review, and field observation, Lux applies a research-based approach to illustration that supports anatomical interpretation across both extant and extinct taxa. With a formal background in biology, their objective is to produce scientifically grounded visual material that contributes to morphological analysis and enhances clarity in organismal biology. Fossil and extant subjects are addressed with equivalent methodological precision.
Guiding Curiosity
Lux’s inspiration is shaped by place and scale: from extant species tucked among basalt and fir in the Pacific Northwest, to fossils from far-flung prehistoric environments. They are particularly drawn to understudied organisms - those that persist quietly or have long vanished but remain poorly documented. They are motivated by how illustration can make technical information more accessible, especially where the scientific record lacks adequate visual representation. For Lux, illustration is a way to slow down, learn more rigorously, and make overlooked species visible.