Kelly Houle, an Arizona book artist with a focus on science and art, began the project of creating an illuminated, handprinted edition of Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species in 2011. She estimates that if all goes well, she may complete the manuscript in 15 years.

For a look at Houle’s work in progress, visit Illuminated Origin of the Species.

View KickStarter video for raising money to create this illuminated book:

For more information see the article, “To Throw Some Light on The Origin of Species,” by Jonathan Shipley and Peter Mitham in Amphora, 2014 April