~It’s nice to meet you~
Hi, my name is Chandra. I am a medical illustrator and fine artist focused on creating work that inspires curiosity, fosters learning, and sparks creativity in others.
Who am I?
I’m a 29-year-old mom, Navy veteran, and corgi lover based in the Pacific Northwest. My journey combines science, creativity, and communication as I work toward founding a science communications company through medical illustration. I earned a Bachelor of Science from Arizona State University, initially focusing on pre-medical sciences before shifting to Biology & Society, mostly due to a challenging relationship with organic chemistry. I am a full-time student in the OHSU–PSU School of Public Health, pursuing an MPH in Health Promotion. These experiences have deepened my passion for equitable, accessible, impactful health communication. Alongside my science background, I hold a minor in Studio Arts, supported by years of formal fine arts training and over 20 years of personal art practice. My work merges science and storytelling, using detailed illustration and fine art to make complex ideas engaging and approachable.
What Do I Do?
Glad you asked! I’m a multimedia artist, which means I don’t limit myself to a single medium, subject, or style. While I primarily focus on medical illustration, I love blending anatomical accuracy with contemporary and semi-realistic concepts. I also enjoy working with acrylic paint. One of my creative goals is to develop a more stylized approach to my work, inspired by artists like Carla Grace.
When Have I Done This?
This one’s a little loaded, but to keep it short, I’ve been creating art since I was 4 years old. Like many artists, I took breaks in my late teens and early 20s due to life circumstances and discouragement from adults who didn’t see value in pursuing art. If you’ve ever felt that way, let me just say: never stop making art for anyone else’s comfort. You deserve to create. With nearly 26 years of experience, my journey has taken me from early anime influences all the way to detailed medical illustration and expressive fine art. It’s been a long, evolving path—and I’m still growing.
Where Have I Done Things?
I’ve been making art since before grade school—starting with formal classes throughout elementary, middle, and high school, including AP-level coursework. After graduation, I studied fine arts for multiple years at Portland Community College. During my time in the Navy, art became a form of mental escape. I leaned into self-education, building skills wherever and whenever I could. In late 2019 and early 2020, I began teaching myself digital art. Thankfully, I had the guidance of industry-certified medical illustrators who mentored me along the way. Over the years, I’ve carefully curated and refined my artistic practice and I’m excited to keep sharpening those skills in the years ahead.
Why Am I Doing This?
Why does anyone do anything, really? Jokes aside, I’m continuing my work in medical illustration and visual art to one day launch a small science communications company focused on making public health information accessible to people everywhere. In a world overwhelmed by misinformation and disinformation, I believe we must fight back not just with facts but with empathy. As I begin my graduate studies this fall, I’m also planning to lead a women’s health initiative. The goal is to create high-quality, didactic medical illustrations that deliver accurate, clear health information to the women who need it most, especially those impacted at higher rates, namely the BIPOC community.
How Am I Doing This?
Honestly? Sometimes I’m not sure! People often commend me for juggling so much. I’m a mom, a disabled veteran, and a proud dog mom of two. Life keeps me constantly busy, no matter what it throws my way. But the truth is, I don’t do it alone. What keeps me going is the community I’ve built—friends who’ve become chosen family. That support system lifts me when I need it most. We thrive when we’re connected, not isolated—especially when we’re chasing big dreams.