Two small, identically shaped stretched painting surfaces. Perfect opportunity to finally create insect portraits of my young twin daughters. One, a Lunar Moth. The other, an Emperor Dragonfly.

Both are winged flight insects, full of beautiful colors with majestic qualities. Yet, they are completely different insects with characteristics each their own. Very much similar to my daughters who may look alike, but who are fundamentally very unique.

These are only basic sketches so far. And I haven't yet determined the frame structure. I feel there will have to be less than three, however, since at 6 years of age, my girls have not established an online impression of themselves (yet).

My art space is also the living room. I like it that way. While a dedicated separate studio would be really great, I enjoy creating during everyday activities, and in the middle of our family life. The constant exposure to creativity is good for me and my kids.

But every year, the Nutcrackers invade.

We have a strong tie to Nutcracker ballet. My 11 year old son performs in George Balanchine's The Nutcracker with the New York City Ballet. This is his third season, and we have developed quite a collection of Nutcrackers over the years!

No, my Christmas decorations are not yet down from the attic. But the Nutcrackers were specially requested today...they have been sorely missed by my 6 year twin girls during the "off season". (The Nutcrackers are adored and played with instead of baby dolls.)

And so they march in, invading my space. But, I don't mind because I can paint and draw as the kids play at my feet, and life just doesn't get any better than that

Part of a two painting set, I am loving how these fireflies have an alien feel to them. Normally, my insects tend to take on human characteristics (ironic), but early on they started to look like insects from outer space, so I went with it. Unlike my Renouncing the Web II series, these are fairly small and painted on deep cradled primed hardboard (not chiffon).  The background is a very dark indigo with red tones, and the edges are lined with gold leaf.  Also incorporated is my favorite, often used, stylized spiral.  The spirals add to the alien feel.

I've found that I have a small fascination for fireflies.  So much is unknown about them, and they apparently have a very complex communication system. Perhaps not unlike our cyberculture? 

So, I will probably continue painting these side pieces, outside my usual insect series.  I just love working with cadmium green on indigo. 

Began in 2010, it sat … until 2013, finally signed.

Mirror, Mirror (Praying Mantis), 2013

This painting would have wound up in the art graveyard with the rest of my unfinished works, if I hadn't been inspired to rework it in a different way.  I wish the rest of my paintings were that lucky.

Originally meant to be part of Renouncing the Web II series, it had three hand-constructed frames around the painting, meant to portray three facets of a person's personality. But it totally stalled. I hated it's progress. I hated the personality I was trying to portray.  And so, this beautiful rendering of a praying mantis sat, collecting dust.  It was a damn shame.  Suddenly (as most of my inspirations hit), I had a thought; mirror.  Save the painting, ditch the frames, and mount it on a mirror.  The effect is super cool in person, like a metallic photographic print morphed with an oil painting.  The concept is more pure.  This piece isn't a metaphor for a single personality type, but instead for everyone.  Anyone can personify the characteristics of a praying mantis.  Especially the negative ones. Step in front of the painting, and take a good look … is that you?