Claire Burke, from Warrenton, VA, grew up camping and hiking. From an early age, she has traveled across the country visiting national parks and monuments. She became obsessed with animals, rocks, plants, and anything that could be considered remotely wild.  Her childhood adoration of the outside manifested itself in her artwork. As an Environmental Science and Studio Art double major, she is interested in the intersection between science versus art and technology versus nature. Having been part of the first generation to grow up with computers, she feels that technology is integral to her self-perception.  In contrast, her love of the outdoors pulls her away from the high-tech fibers of society to an older, simpler time and place. Her career goal is to go into scientific illustration or exhibit design.