“Botanical illustration is a powerful tool for understanding and communicating nature’s design.”

Preston Montague is an artist, educator, and landscape architect working to improve public health by strengthening relationships between people and nature. Originally from the foothills of Virginia, Preston currently lives in Durham, North Carolina and holds a Master of Landscape Architecture degree from North Carolina State University as well as bachelor’s degrees in horticulture and fine art.

Preston uses botanical illustration as a medium to teach drawing and observation skills in an effort to encourage environmental awareness and natural science literacy. Though he offers advanced classes for students with previous art experience, he is currently focusing on teaching basic techniques for quick sketching. Preston believes that there is a broader need to encourage the development of observation and visualization skills in the outdoors through spontaneous documentation without the pressure of creating labor-intensive, “finished” works of art.