Stephanie Sabin has been honing her artistic skills in the midst of her biology studies at the UMSL. This month, she will show off the fruits of her labor at two art shows in St. Louis. (Photo by Stephanie Sabin)

Stephanie Sabin has been honing her artistic skills in the midst of her biology studies at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. This month, she will show off the fruits of her labor at two art shows in St. Louis.

Sabin’s art draws heavily from her work as a seasonal wildlife biologist.

“Most of my research has been with birds, so I draw a lot of my inspiration from birds,” said Sabin, who is pursuing a master’s degree in biology at UMSL. “I also enjoy sharing the incredible landscape scenery I’ve seen across the country.”

Sabin said she’s mostly a self-taught artist, who works in charcoal, pastel, watercolor, oil and acrylic.

“I don’t stick to one particular style because I let the subject matter set the mood of the piece and determine how best I can express that particular piece,” she said.

One of Sabin’s watercolor paintings will be featured during an exhibition called “Vincent” at the Koken Art Factory, 2500 Ohio Ave. in St. Louis. The show will feature works by more than 20 different artists that have been inspired by Vincent van Gogh. It will open at 7 p.m. Sept. 15.

Four of Sabin’s original pieces will also be on display during the “Fall within the Lines” exhibition at the Syndicate Building, 915 Olive St. in St. Louis. There will be an opening reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 22. The show will run through Nov. 3.

Sabin plans to graduate in December with her master’s degree in biology from UMSL. Afterward she plans to continue working as a wildlife biologist with a federal land management agency.