Mary K. Bryson (BFA ’88)

Langhorne, PA.

Mary K. Bryson is an acclaimed medical illustrator and founder of Bryson Biomedical Illustrations, Inc. Over the past 19 years she has collaborated with scores of scientists, physicians and other specialists to transform complex technical information into visual images that communicate with broad audiences.

Born and raised in Atlanta, GA, Bryson was inspired to study medical illustration in high school, when a biology teacher praised her drawings of dissected pig anatomy. In 1988 she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design from Washington University and in 1990 earned a Master of Associated Medical Science degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Bryson Biomedical Illustrations, which she launched upon graduating, helps promote education, research, patient care, public relations and marketing efforts. Her illustrations are featured on the award-winning web site breastcancer.org, while pharmaceutical clients include Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Wyeth Ayerst, Sanofi Aventis, Otsuka International and Johnson & Johnson. She also has illustrated 11 books, ranging from the children’s book Gross Anatomy, an Off- Color Coloring Book to the textbook Anesthesia and Orthopaedic Surgery.

For the past 5 years, Bryson has worked with Teleflex Medical at national medical conventions, painting on a live model to show the muscles, nerves, bones and other anatomy that physicians encounter while using Teleflex products. Last October, she was commissioned by Gunther van Hagens’ Body Worlds to paint a live model for the opening of its Philadelphia exhibit.

In addition to her medical illustration, Bryson is an adjunct professor at the University of Delaware where she teaches technical drawing. She also paints still life in oil on canvas and is a professional harpist.


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