Drawing as Preservation: Nature, Identity, and the Quiet Act of Paying Attention

Abstract

This essay explores illustration as a form of preservation, activism, and storytelling, focusing on the intersections between nature, identity, and transformation. Through a series of works—from depictions of queer love in the animal kingdom to mythological protectors of forests—the author reflects on how drawing can challenge dominant narratives, document overlooked stories, and foster a deeper sense of connection with the non-human world. The essay also considers the role of digital and analog mediums in contemporary preservation, highlighting the ways in which visual storytelling can bridge scientific observation, folklore, and personal memory. Ultimately, it argues that drawing is not just an act of representation, but a means of witnessing, engaging, and preserving the wonder of interconnectivity in an era of ecological uncertainty.