"Skull Base" surgery Luggage Tag

This is my interpretation of the skull base anatomy as seen from an expanded endonasal approach; a minimally invasive technique that is executed by going through the nose using an endoscope. After passing and removing certain obstacles on their way to the skull base, the surgeons are then able to access the base of the skull from the inside out. This approach allows the removal of tumors that lie at the skull base as well as into the brain. I felt a great need to depict the important landmarks that might be found near the skull base. I struggled with balancing the scientific accuracy with artistic composition and form. In the end, by extending the trigeminal nerve (on left) and the optic nerve through the painting I was able to create a sweeping landscape where the possibilities are endless! The black background emphasizes this notion. All of the painting was done free hand and each line articulated with the utmost precision. I spent countless hours creating the myriad of colors that are involved in this painting. I use only the primary colors as starters and then mix all secondary, third and fourth level colors on my palette. This allows me total control over the tiniest nuances in color. Note the pituitary gland (yellow), optic nerves (blue), and carotid arteries (red), Cerebellum (cut sagittally) on the lower right and the Pons (shades of grey).