I always like illustrating articles for Craig Mackie at New Scientist. Their content is so far under the surface, and it gets me out of my bubble.
For instance, this painting was for an article that describes how RNA can perform the role of DNA, which is to contain the information of life, and the role of protein, which is to build life. This means it, not DNA or protein could be the actual source of life on Earth. 
I had a fun time visualizing something that could both contain and build. I was glad when Craig let me go with this solution that I see as Sol LeWitt meets Dutch naturalist - with some polka dots thrown in.