Few artists see the world like Matt Patterson. A lifelong wildlife illustrator and painter, Matt brings to life the hidden world of turtles, reptiles, and amphibians—creatures too often overlooked but central to the ecosystems around us.
In this episode, Scott Harris talks with Matt about his lifelong love of nature, his creative process, and his collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Sy Montgomery on their beloved Book of Turtles and The True and Lucky Life of a Turtle.
From the story of “Fire Chief,” a rescued snapping turtle now living safely in Matt’s backyard pond, to fieldwork in Madagascar, Belize, and beyond, their conversation celebrates the intersection of art, science, and deep compassion for the natural world.
They also explore:
- The difference between painting and photographing wildlife
- How art can drive conservation
- Why every turtle matters
- Adventures with rare species, from radiated tortoises to cold-stunned sea turtles
Matt’s work has earned international acclaim—including the Roger Tory Peterson Wildlife Art Award and the Artists for Conservation Medal of Excellence—but his true success lies in inspiring others to see the beauty and worth of every living thing.
📬 Stay up to date & get bonus content:
👉 https://naturallyscott.kit.com/5fd12c6752
🎧 Listen to all full episodes of Naturally Scott wherever you get your podcasts.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Betrayal: Weekly
Betrayal Weekly is back for a brand new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack. And make sure to check out Seasons 1-4 of Betrayal, along with Betrayal Weekly Season 1.