Insects
“It’s Really About the Water”
emerald darner dragonfly & a dozen critters hidden in the circle
Dragonflies are amazing insects that have been around for at least 300 million years. There are fossils of dragonflys with a wingspan of almost 2 1/2 feet. They are carnivores so that size is concerning! Now, dragonflies consume mosquito larvae, small fish and tadpoles in the aquatic nymph stage and later, as adults, they devour countless insects. Another very common name for them is “mosquito hawk” and we are grateful!
When you’re done admiring the stunning dragonfly this piece becomes a treasure hunt. A dozen creatures are hidden in the pencil work in the bottom circle. Water is necessary to life and all these creatures have been drawn to waters edge. Some are easy to find and others very small and difficult. It’s an entertaining exercise in paying close attention and both adults and kids enjoy the test.
Archival giclee signed and numbered limited edition (500) from a gouache and pencil original
“The Dazzling Swamp Darner Dragonfly ”
A dazzling Swamp Darner dragonfly rests lightly among climbing strands of Virginia creeper, its transparent wings spread like fine lace against a soft cream ground. The eyes of this male dragonfly are indeed dazzling! It’s a compound eye made up of numerous individual eyes that work together but the male swamp darner’s eyes have swirling blue and white patterns that seem impossible and surreal! Delicate pencil work defines every veined leaf and a careful use of green pencil breathes gentle color into the foliage. The dragonfly’s brilliant blue and red markings glow against the muted greens, creating a striking focal point within this quiet and carefully observed study.
Archival giclee signed and numbered limited edition (500) from a gouache and pencil original
“Regal Moth & Hickory”
The regal moth is one of north America’s giant silk moths - the family of Saturniidai. It’s a beautiful moth and especially striking because of its size having a wingspan as large as six inches. Hickory, walnut and sumac are favorite foods in the caterpillar stage but silk moths don’t have a mouth in the adult stage. They live briefly from the fat stored in their bodies and are only concerned with reproduction. The caterpillar is a scary sight! Called a hickory horned devil reaching 5-6 inches long and nearly as plump as a hot dog. You’ll need to look that guy up to see a photo.
Archival giclee signed and numbered limited edition (500) from a gouache and pencil original
“Cecropia Moth & Sweet Gum”
Another of north America’s giant silk moths the cecropia has a wide range from southern Canada to Mexico. As a caterpillar it feeds on a wide range of broad-leaved trees and shrubs. Here, it’s shown with sweet gum, a common but not very popular tree. I once knew a charming ol’ fella who gathered these prickly seed balls, sprayed them white and then told Ozark tourists “These are porcupine eggs and no wonder the critters are going extinct!”
Archival giclee signed and numbered limited edition (500) from a gouache and pencil original
“Luna Moth & Basswood”
The Luna moth is so striking and lovely! Ranging from a yellowish green to lime sherbet and even a blue green - if you ever spot one you will not forget it! The long graceful hindwing tails add to the graceful appearance and so do the red to rust markings. This is another giant silk moth with a wingspan of 3 - 4.5 inches. At this stage they only live for about a week and rely on the fat they’ve stored as caterpillars. They are wide spread from the USA to Mexico.
Archival giclee signed and numbered limited edition (500) from a gouache and pencil original
“Imperial Moth & Sassafras”
The imperial moth, another giant silk moth, rests with its wings laid flat to camouflage as leaves. Its wing span can reach almost 7 inches and has many subspecies ranging from southern Canada into South America. The caterpillar feeds on a variety of plants including sassafras and the energy it stores as a caterpillar completely sustains the moth in that short life stage. The moth is nocturnal but especially drawn to lights which is causing a concerning decline in the population.
Archival giclee signed and numbered limited edition (500) from a gouache and pencil original
“Working Beehind the Scenes”
A sturdy honeybee is poised over golden honeycomb cells, each carefully labeled with a crop made possible by the bee’s pollination. Warm gouache layers capture both the bee’s velvety texture and translucent wings while pencil and pastel give the glow of honey. The message is obvious and urgent - this small worker is responsible for pollinating 30% of the world’s human food and 90% of wild plants. Such a tiny creature for a humongous task. Truly a wonder and a warning.
Archival giclee signed and numbered limited edition (500)
from a gouache, pencil and pastel original
All of the prints are archival giclees produced by us and in our studio. The term "giclee" refers to the printing process. This process provides wonderful color accuracy and detail without the dot pattern of an offset lithograph. David scans the original and uses photoshop to correct colors. Color correcting is a skill and can go quickly or take days of trying. We have a large format Epson printer and use Epson's archival inks on acid-free Somerset Velvet paper. The inks are light-fast and under normal household conditions will not fade for 100 years.
There are countless species of insects in the world and their variety is absolutely stunning! They offer lessons in color, pattern and structure that leave me speechless in wonder! It seems to me there are rules that define mammals and birds but rules literally “fly out the window” where insects are concerned.
I admire the unbelievable delicacy of a dragonfly’s wings and their carnivorous ways make me very grateful they’re small! Dragonfly fossils from the Carboniferous period are over two feet wide! Modern day dragonflys are capable of eating their own weight in just half an hour and still want more. Another well deserved name for a dragonfly is Mosquito Hawk!
We are very dependent on the honey bee and so they and their complex society have been carefully studied with more to learn. Their dancing form of communication is complicated involving an accurate recall, navigation using angles to the sun, movements that indicate distance and an enthusiasm level to match the quality of the food. Bee’s are social to the point that one bee alone can’t survive. Life requires the hive.
So far… my work has included four species of American giant silk moths. They are all spectacular with a wingspan of as much as five inches. Silk moths fatten up as caterpillars. Their moth stage is reproductive and they don’t eat at all. They live about ten days and are gone. The luna moth is the most magical to me and if you are lucky enough to see that lovely lime-green creature you will never forget it. I’m grateful to my dear friend John Laskowski, for giving me moth specimens to work from. In Pennsylvania, he is known as “The Moth Man” and his enthusiasm for all things nature is legendary!
I’m sure more insects will capture my attention - I’m a great admirer of those that don’t bite me.