Upper West Side Illustrator Finds Inspiration in After-Hours Museum Sessions

For decades, the American Museum of Natural History has served as more than just a public institution for Upper West Side resident and scientific illustrator Patricia J. Wynne. Since arriving in New York in 1974, Wynne has maintained a deep professional and creative connection to the museum, contributing to nearly 300 books and numerous permanent exhibits.

Wynne, who previously served as an artist-in-residence within the Department of Mammalogy, has left a tangible mark on the museum’s architecture and displays. Her contributions include artwork for the Bernard Family Hall of North American Mammals and the design of the bronze bison medallion embedded in the floor of the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall. Her influence in the scientific community is such that researchers named a species of bat, *Thyroptera wynneae*, in her honor in 2014.

Beyond her formal commissions, Wynne has fostered a community of artists by hosting informal Friday night drawing sessions at the museum. These gatherings, which include former students and other local artists, allow participants to sketch in the quiet, darkened halls after the public has departed. For Wynne, the museum is a place of vitality rather than stillness, providing a unique environment to observe and render the natural world.

Wynne’s career spans a diverse range of projects, from scientific publications and educational materials to pop-culture collaborations, including early *Star Wars* activity books. She remains an active practitioner of her craft, balancing her professional work with her ongoing commitment to teaching and observational drawing. When asked about the prospect of retirement, Wynne has indicated that she views her artistic practice as a lifelong pursuit.

Currently residing on Central Park West, Wynne continues to draw inspiration from her home environment, which she shares with a variety of pets, and her frequent visits to the museum. Her work remains a testament to the enduring intersection of meticulous scientific observation and artistic expression.