
Cielito Marbus - Botanical artist & plant biologist
Cielito is a both a botanist and botanical artist. Born in Newman, Western Australia and currently living in Perth, she works as a senior consultant botanist and freelance botanical illustrator.
Cielito draws on her experience in forest health research to inform her work. She explores the physiological and ecological curiosities of the plant world and produces scientifically accurate botanical records for publication. She is interested in anthropogenic interactions with the natural environment, particularly the dichotomy of natural process and human intervention, and the metabolic processes of plants in response. Whilst we as humans cannot help but mold and form our surroundings, we simultaneously seek out and delight in those parts of our surrounds that are untouched by our hands.
Exhibitions and Prizes
Leech-Partington Botanical Art Prize, Denmark WA, February 2021
Biodiversity in WA (Environmental Consultants Association WA Inc.), Perth December 2020
Other people’s gardens (Solo) Dwellingup Forest Discovery Centre, Dwellingup, June 2019
Botanica 20th Anniversary Exhibition, Sydney March 2019
Best in Show - Botanical Art Society of Australia Members Exhibition, Melbourne March 2019
Nature World, at Best Wishes Fremantle July 2018
Beauty from the Bush (Wildflower Society of WA), Kelmscott June 2018
People’s Choice Award - Clifton Art Prize, 2011

Education
2018- 2019 Diploma in Botanical Illustration (Distance learning) Society of Botanical Artists, London UK (Incomplete)
2015 Certificate IV Visual Arts South West Institute of Technology, Margaret River
2010 First Class Honours in Biotechnology (Plant Pathology) Murdoch University
2008 Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology + minor in Plant Biology)
Bachelor of Commerce (Management) Murdoch University
Publications (Illustrations)
Davis R and Hislop M (2020) Acacia lachnocarpa (Fabaceae), a new, geographically restricted Wattle from the Coolgardie bioregion of Western Australia, Nurtsia 31:213-216
Hislop M (2020) Leucopogon kirupensis (Ericaceae: Styphelioideae: Styphelieae), a new, short-range endemic from the south-west corner of Western Australia, Nuytsia 31:111-115
Hislop M (2020) Stenanthera localis (Ericaceae: Epacridoideae: Styphelieae), a new rarity from Western Australia, Nuytsia 31:271-275
Macfarlane TD (2020) Nowhere to be seen: Deyeuxia abscondita (Poaceae), a new but presumed extinct species from south-western Australia, Nuytsia 31:179-185