Timeline

Jan 2009: The idea for The Illuminated Origin of Species was conceived around the time of Darwin’s 200th birthday and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species.

2009-2010: Preliminary research on botanical art, Illumination, and Darwin’s life and work

July 2010: Research trip to Washington D.C, including the Hall of Human Origins and the Darwin exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, the U.S. Botanical Garden, and the Smithsonian Naturalist Center in Leesburg, VA

Fall 2010: Accepted into the Society of Botanical Art Distance Learning Diploma Course, began intense program of study in botanical art

Winter 2011: Continued research, completed graphite drawing of cotton plant for sample page

Spring 2011: Created sample page, tested paints and papers, practiced lettering styles, sketched some of the plants and animals mentioned specifically by Darwin

April/May 2011: Formatted the Table of Contents and brainstormed ideas for illuminations

Summer 2011: Created the project website www.illuminatedorigin.com

Completed Sample Page, Designed Title Page, Dedication Page, and Table of Contents

Fall 2011: Raised over $16,000 on Kickstarter for the creation of the Title Page, Table of Contents, and Introduction

Winter 2011: Finalized design of the Title Page, Table of Contents, and Dedication Page; sent hand-addressed postcards, miniature beetle prints, and boxed cards to Kickstarter backers

Spring 2012: Finished miniature beetle prints for Kickstarter backers; finalizing miniature book design, writing and illuminating Title Page, Frontispiece, and Table of Contents

Summer 2012: Conduct Research at Smithsonian Institution; deliver all adopted beetle paintings, 12 miniature books, and 6 title pages to Kickstarter backers, finish Dedication Page

Fall 2012: Finish Introduction, send illuminated letters to Kickstarter backers, design Chapters 1-3

Spring 2013: Exhibit all pages through end of introduction

2013: Complete chapters 1-3

2014: Complete chapters 4-6

2015: Complete chapters 7-9

2016: Complete chapters 10-12

2017: Complete chapters 13-14

2018: Publish full-size limited edition

February 2019: Event to celebrate the completion of The Illuminated Origin for Darwin’s 210th birthday and the 160th anniversary of the publication of On The Origin of Species