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).

I have an open studio.  Right in the middle of the house, in the most visited room of the day. Specifically, it's in my living room (as posted in my previous blog entry).  This is great for my three kids because the constant exposure to my art-in-progress continually fuels their creativity.  Recently, I've found this also works in the opposite.

When my children ask to paint, I'm sometimes too busy (or lazy) to pull out all their "student grade" supplies.  One recent afternoon, I announced that they would have their first oil painting lesson, only because all my supplies were conveniently already out in the open.  Of course, my 6 year old twin daughters jumped at this special opportunity and they loved the experience.  Consequently, it caused a creative spark - in me.

And so, that is how I learned that not only can I inspire my children to spontaneously paint and draw, but that they can do the same for me too.  As I showed them how to mix the oil paint and work the brush, I found myself beginning two new works right then and there. Good job girls!

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.