Carefree Artist: Do You Know Zebrafish?

7/22/25

Do You Know Zebrafish?

Zebrafish are fascinating. If a fin, a tail, or even an eye gets bitten off by something, they can grow a new one. Because zebrafish share a lot of DNA base pairs with humans, they are one of the most researched animals. Learn more about deoxyribonucleic acid and other fun stuff when you download this free educational activity booklet PDF. For ages 8 to adult. (Adult? Yes. Too many grown-ups know too little about genomic science.) www.genetionary.org/DNA

Another little fun fact from my “Do You Know Peas about DNA?”

A free* activity book to introduce kids to genomic science. (And since so many adults are absolutely clueless when it comes to basic biology, genes, etc., maybe a lot of them will find it educational as well.)

It can be downloaded at www.genetionary.org/DNA

*For personal, noncommercial use only. If you any have questions about my copyrighted intellectual property usage, please DM me.

About this blog/art journal...

The Carefree Artist is about my artistic endeavors and adventures as a professional freelance creative. Posts might feature a cartoon, or a recently published illustration from a book or magazine assignment, or an original piece of art that I might be selling to try and raise funds for my art supply donation project. All with an emphasis on originality.

Why did I name this journal the Carefree Artist*? Actually, it’s really just a wishful sentiment. A professional life in the arts, mine included, is usually anything but carefree. But oh, how wonderful it would be to really be a carefree artist! Living the simple life in a quiet and inspiring location and creating a ton of art just for art's sake!

The name was also inspired by the Carefree Highway. A road that played an important role in my life... More about this journal's name at the bottom of this page.

Please see my website, MARKiX.net, for more info and more samples of my work.

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A Note from the Artist...

As you look around this blog you can’t help but notice a distinct change in the artwork and the tone of the content over the past few years. There’s a good reason for this -- being a cancer caregiver and then the death of my wife due to hereditary cancer. A cancer that was preventable.

I never wanted this blog to be a place where I unloaded anger and sadness because of cancer and grief. I had other plans, more lighthearted and whimsical. But when you have the love of your life take their last breath in your arms because vital genetic info was not shared, it changes everything.

So, I have chosen to use my humble little corner of the world to speak up about hereditary cancer awareness and the unbearable heartache of the untimely loss of a loved one.


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