Bella Reboul

Zoologist Bella Reboul occupies the fascinating space where science meets art.

The ocean is her muse.

A self-taught scientific illustrator, she has been honing her drawing skills for close to a decade now.

With a sketching pencil and brush Bella recreates the magical encounters she has freediving with marine life.

Her art project/shop Little Wild Lines aims to inspire and educate, while giving back to nature and conservation efforts through funds raised.

My creative space is…

my plant-filled balcony, overlooking leafy backyards and painted afternoon skies. I like to set up the space with my beautiful jar of brushes, my paints spread out around me and a cup of tea (or a gin!). My cat Lola is usually close by, and I paint from reference images I have collected while freediving at sites including Heron Island, Kirra Reef and Julian Rocks Nguthungulli Nature Reserve. As the sun sets I might drift inside for better light, sprawling across our wooden dining table and onto the floor, with Lola always at my side.

The last piece I created is…

an ambitious reef scene called Spineless that is not yet complete. It is an ode to all my favourite marine invertebrates. I am enjoying the challenge of adding more depth to my work by including scenery, and hope to continue to explore this.

My art is unique because...

it’s the culmination of my unique experiences exploring nature. My first point of reference when beginning a new artwork is the images I take while underwater. This is something I am quite proud of because I’m creating from lived experience. While grounded in scientific realism, my work retains a dream-like state, as if I am remembering interacting with these creatures for the first time. I like to think that my work captures the unique feeling of a moment suspended in time on a single breath. 

The reason I became an artist is…

for science! Science writing can often be dry and inaccessible. I believe art, however, offers a wonderful tool for engaging people in science communication. I hope that my work can inspire and educate. People want to protect and conserve what they love and understand; my goal is to bring that understanding to them in a beautiful way. 

My art has taught me to…

look at the details in our world. I try not to ever take nature at face-value; I am always looking for the beautiful intricacies and quirks that can be found — often where you least expect them. 

My favourite tool for creating is…

teeny tiny fine tip pens and brushes – the magic is in the details! 

Words that inspire me…

‘Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.’ Albert Einstein

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