ashley schrader
illustrator, digital artist, & marine ecologist
inspired by nature
Ashley Schrader
illustrator, digital artist, & ecologist
inspired by nature
Watercolor
Acrylic
Digital Art
Latest Skill Building Endeavors:
Ink
Pencil
Hi, I’m Ashley; I’m an ecologist and artist based out of Chicago, Illinois. I'm energized by nature and my work often features bold, tropical colors inspired from my time in Miami and the Florida Keys, with textures of the temperate rain forests from my time in Northwest Washington.
About Me
My Background as a Scientist
​My journey began in rural Illinois but my aspiration to be a marine ecologist has taken me all over the United States. My scientific career started in South Florida, where I spent several years studying tropical marine ecosystems and marveling at the vibrant life of the Caribbean. Over the past 8 years, my work has taken me to,
​
-
Key Largo as a bottlenose dolphin research intern,
-
Los Angeles as a marine mammal photo identification intern,
-
New England as protected species observer and passive acoustic monitor for offshore wind,
-
North Carolina as a North Atlantic right whale aerial surveyor, and to
-
Seattle as an endangered species biologist supporting Section 7(a) of the Endangered Species Act with the National Marine Fisheries Service's Southeast, Pacific Islands, and West Coast Regional Offices
​
​
Inspired to Create
My scientific background is driven by a profound appreciation for nature. My career as an artist started in 2020 with my first commission. Since early 2025, I have started to transition toward full-time artistic endeavors.​
My work reflects my drive to capture anything bright and beautiful. I am enjoying exploring the various disciplines of artistic expression and look forward to pursuing opportunities to blend scientific pursuits with artistic expression.
​
My portfolio is small but growing and reflects my varied interests in subject matter and media.
Select Commissions, Projects & Series
2025 Baltimore 5k Bar Crawl
(2025)
Commissioned die-cut sticker package with original illustration and text.
​
Digital art for print materials
Precise Pirouette
(2025)
Commissioned character design. This piece has inspired a series (coming in 2026)
​
Watercolor paint
His & Hers
(2025)
Commissioned original realism piece.​
​
Watercolor paint
Puget Sound Beautiful (2024)
Commissioned by the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) as the featured artwork for the AAUS 2025 Symposium. Image used for all symposium print and promotional materials. Original art work donated and auctioned.
​
Acrylic paint
Pokémon Concepts (2024)
Original creature concepts in the style of the Pokémon franchise.
​
Digital art
Creature Concept Series (2024)
Rendered in the style of renowned creature concept designer, Terryl Whitlatch.
​
Alcohol markers, ink
Ruxapalooza II
(2023)
Commissioned by the Rux family for an annual ski celebration.
​
Digital art for print materials
Keyboard Decals (2023)
Created to cover keyboard keys that had lost their letters with use.
Select letters shown.
​
Digital art for print materials
The Galaxy
of Motherhood
(2022)
Commissioned by Ingram Screening, a woman-owned small business based in Oregon that specializes in screening for Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders.
​
Digital print materials
Acrylic ink on canvas
Watercolor Fruits
(2020)
Series of fruit studies. Select (4/18) studies shown.
​
Watercolor paint
Ecobills
(2019 -2022)
Created to advocate for more sustainable alternatives for single use products. Select (4/85) designs shown.
​
Digital art for social media publication
