In this article, illustrator Antonia Reyes tells us about her experience observing birds in the Atacama Desert and shows us her creative process to interpret nature in her works.

Upon my table is a splay of papers and color samples. Brushes of all thicknesses, watercolors distributed, and some ceramic palettes already have the mixtures ready to start painting. There is also an important folder of photos I took in the field, even some nibs that I managed to collect to have some tactile samples as a reference.

I am sitting at the table, but mentally I move back and forth between my studio and the vivid memory of that morning standing in front of the Machuca Bofedal. Binoculars in one hand, notebook in the other, camera hanging around my neck and a dazzled look on my face. Part due to the light, part due to the beauty.