OniOniOniArt

Regrettably, I must put Bug-A-Day on indefinite hold. Between my new job and a sick kitty I have fallen way behind. So perhaps I will still complete 365 bugs...just not consecutively... :/

I did promise more baby mantids. You should see the adults! [March 17, 2016]

Better known as the kissing bug for its propensity to draw blood from the lips of its victims. Handsome though they are, you do not want this Prince Charming to wake you with a kiss. [March 16, 2016]

Dictyopharidae is a family of planthoppers known for their prominent rostrums (a nice word for schnoz). [March 15, 2016]

This magnificent creature belongs to the Mecoptera, the same order as scorpionflies, but in family Bittacidae. You can differentiate between them and crane flies (which are true flies) by the presence of a "beak" and overall slightly more badass physique. This one has caught a tasty Hemipteran. [March 14, 2016]

A mydas fly clings to an iris leaf in the rain. [March 13, 2016]

I took the Bug-A-Day opportunity to once again add to my portfolio decor (see the last two days). It is another India ink line drawing on cardboard. Coreids are better known as leaf-footed bugs. Side Bar: Nervous and excited for my new job. I want to be the Dana Scully of wetland investigations, so I'm doing a lot of  preemptive studying this weekend! [March 12, 2016]

In the spirit of  yesterday's multi-tasking , I have decorated a cardboard divider in my binder with an India ink line drawing of a mantispid. You know, this really is the only form of effective multi-tasking there is, when you have one project that serves the function of two. [March 11, 2016]

This actually took two days. In April I will be presenting my shop (alongside other local Etsians) at the Orange County Library's Etsy event  (just a note, I'm not allowed to sell anything there, but will be holding a raffle). My ongoing preparations include putting together a portfolio: this  6" x 8" three-ring binder of lino prints and ACEOs. I of course chose an insect for decorating the cover so that it would also count for Bug-A-Day. Multi-tasking! It is a paper mosaic of a tiger beetle; basically cut up, glued bits of paper. One of my older ACEOs served as a template. [March 10, 2016]

My neighbor, the alligator On Monday I start a new job which leaves me wondering how well I'll be able to keep up with the Bug-A-Day Challenge during this transition (and ultimately long-term consumption of my time). It's been difficult so far and I've only worked part time! There may be a ton of baby mantids posted here! The photo above was taken yesterday, a momentous occasion because before this I had never seen this gator above the waterline. I've seen its (presumable) children out and about, but always, this adult appeared as a disembodied head floating amongst the duckweed. Well, holy hell, it's HUGE! At least 8 feet. I approached a wee bit closer from behind some trees to try and better gauge its size, but it saw me and with lightning reflexes dove into the water. If you can believe it, I think I frightened it. No longer able to see it, I took the cautious route and decided my backyard walk was over.

...and again... [March 9, 2016]

As I've said previously, baby mantids cannot go wrong. Especially when I'm pressed for time! [March 8, 2016]

The completed 12" ruler. Stag Beetle - Coleoptera (Day 48) Ichneumon Wasp - Hymenoptera (Day 49) Earwig - Dermaptera (Day 50) Luna Moth - Lepidoptera (Day 59) Preying Mantid - Mantodea (Day 60) Scorpionfly - Mecoptera (Day 61) Leaf-footed Bug - Hemiptera (Day 62) Walking Stick - Phasmotodea (Day 63) Spoonwing - Neuroptera (Day 64) Tree Cricket - Orthoptera (Day 65) Cicada - Homoptera (Day 66) Damselfly - Odonata (Day 67)

...and this concludes my series modeled after antique Japanese rulers! Each inch represents a different order, this is Odonata. Side Bar: If I make any more of these I am definitely not using the gelly roll pen. [March 7, 2016]

This continues my series modeled after antique Japanese rulers. Each inch represents a different order, this is Homoptera. [March 6, 2016]

He is stridulating his wings. This continues my series modeled after antique Japanese rulers. Each inch represents a different order, this is Orthoptera. [March 5, 2016]

This continues my series modeled after antique Japanese rulers. Each inch represents a different order, this is Neuroptera. [March 4, 2016]

This continues my series modeled after antique Japanese rulers. Each inch represents a different order, this is Phasmatodea. [March 3, 2016]

This continues my series modeled after antique Japanese rulers. Each inch represents a different order, this is Hemiptera. Side Bar: I am too far into it to change tactics now but I wish I had not started these using a gold gelly roll pen. The nib is too fat for such tiny drawings. A crow quill nib and gold ink would have worked so much better...hindsight! [March 2, 2016]

This continues my series modeled after antique Japanese rulers. I've decided I'm doing twelve and each one is going to represent a different insect order. Already completed: Stag Beetle - Coleoptera (Day 48) Ichneumon Wasp - Hymenoptera (Day 49) Earwig - Dermaptera (Day 50) Luna Moth - Lepidoptera (Day 59) Preying Mantid - Mantodea (Day 60) Scorpionfly - Mecoptera (Day 61) [March 1, 2016]

This continues my series modeled after antique Japanese rulers. [February 29, 2016]

This continues my series modeled after antique Japanese rulers. [February 28, 2016]

What a great idea to do three mini books plus another project (not pictured) at the same time, after all I'm using all the same supplies... This is what happens when you multi-task and especially when multi-tasking while tired: I painted the image on the back cover of the book which is clearly indicated by the knot . DOH! I feel like this is a cautionary tale. [February 27, 2016]