Christy Ferguson Barton was born in Northern Colorado and has been drawing since childhood, influenced by an artistic family who nurtured her love for nature.  She studied art and graphic design in Colorado.  After joining the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators in 1993, she relocated to Washington State and graduated from the UW Scientific Illustration program.  Her intrigue with the science and natural history of the species she studied became entwined with her special interest in threatened and endangered species.  Her current direction is studying symbiotic species: a mutual dependence upon each other, often both species being threatened. 

Christy’s studio is located in Tenino, Washington, where the open skies, solitude, wildflowers and wildlife of the prairie inspire her creativity and involvement in conservation.  Her professional memberships include the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, the American Society of Botanical Artists, the Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy, and the Washington Native Plant Society.  Her art can be seen at:http://christybartonstudio.com.