# Mindy Lighthipe
*Nature artist, educator, and author*

Mindy Lighthipe is a nature artist, educator, and author based in Florida, whose work captures the relationships between plants, insects, birds, and animals through watercolor, gouache, colored pencil, ink, and pastel. Rooted in natural science illustration, her style blends careful observation with expressive mixed-media technique.

Teaching has been at the heart of Mindy's practice for over three decades, from developing a 250-hour Natural Science Illustration certificate at the New York Botanical Garden, to her current role teaching scientific illustration at the University of Florida, to live Zoom workshops that regularly sell out within hours. Her goal as a teacher is to help students see more carefully, draw more confidently, and discover what they're capable of when observation and technique come together.

Beyond the studio, Mindy regularly leads international art and photography tours, always with nature and conservation at the center. Her book *The Art of Botanical & Bird Illustration* has introduced her structured, step-by-step approach to a global audience of artists.

Follow Mindy's work on Instagram [@mlighthipe](https://www.instagram.com/mlighthipe/) and visit her website at [mindylighthipe.com](https://mindylighthipe.com).

**Connect:** [Website](https://mindylighthipe.com/) · [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/mlighthipe/)

## Retreats led by Mindy Lighthipe

### Luminous Layers of Nature - Botanical Mixed-Media Retreat with Artist Mindy Lighthipe in Portugal
April 24 - May 1, 2027 · Casével, Ribatejo, Portugal · $4,700
Instructors: Mindy Lighthipe
[Details](https://uptrek.com/ai/content/retreat/luminous-layers-of-nature-botanical-mixed-media-retreat-artist-mindy-lighthipe-portugal) · [Book on uptrek.com →](https://uptrek.com/retreat/luminous-layers-of-nature-botanical-mixed-media-retreat-artist-mindy-lighthipe-portugal#book)

---

**Canonical URL:** https://uptrek.com/ai/content/instructors/mindy-lighthipe
**Last updated:** 2026-05-29