OniOniOniArt

Behavior-wise, I maintain that mantispids (mantid flies in the order Neuroptera) are more badass than mantids (arguments here and here and not so much here , but how cute!). However, mantids definitely win the "Best Costume" category with their myriad forms of spines, mimicry, color, and spectacle. The boxer mantis is a good example. Here is the under-drawing, or first layer sketch. Drawings, paintings, etc are made in layers - like constructing a building, you need a sturdy frame first. The first layer is where I attempt to line everything up and make it proportionate. I then do a more detailed second layer, and sometimes an even more detailed third layer. I always start with a light pencil (an HB here), I will sometimes then outline and shade with a softer, darker pencil (a 3B works nice, like this drawing , although I stopped with the HB here). Side Bar:  I made it to one month! Woo! Only two slip-ups which were redeemed with terrible (and terribly cartoonish...

This tiny mantis nymph looks and behaves like ants. The behavior probably doubles as defensive camouflage and helps catch unwary prey off guard. [January 31, 2020]

In honor of my 3rd anniversary with S (he's the tiger beetle) I drew this romantic dinner scene (pre-dinner, because with the species involved here that could get pretty gruesome). I decided on a mantis and tiger beetle based on a previous Creative Sprint project from back in 2015 (and just realized that in this context, they are naked here...hmmm...). My hubs does not approve of my drawing bugs since he hates bugs and makes fake barfing noises every time I show them to him, but he conceded this drawing was alright. [Mwahahaha! Victory...baby steps to total bug domination....] On a side note, we're going to Longhorn for dinner tonight because we received gift cards for Christmas. Free anniversary dinner! We didn't plan that (though I'd like to think we did), but what a great perk for having your anniversary in early January. [January 7, 2020]

I have had a migraine headache with nausea all day today - but I managed to sketch this for Bug-A-Day using what was available in my nightstand. Don't want to fall behind! PS -  It's supposed to be a mantis. [January 6, 2020]

"Do something intentionally wrong today" When I first read this prompt, it made me think "Wrong...something against the Natural Order" This sketchy comic is wrong on multiple levels. [June 19, 2016]

"It's National Poetry Month! Write a poem or make something inspired by a poem you like" I decided to create tanka, a classical Japanese poetry style similar to haiku in that you have a set number of syllables per line. Tanka are 5-7-5-7-7 and often depend on puns and double entendres for meaning (I have no such skill). They were frequently introduced with a bit of prose describing the feeling, thoughts, mood, scenery, or any other bit of information about why or when it was composed, that gave further depth and context to the short poems. When a friend asked me to name a favorite insect I replied: The tiger beetle Mantispids are another Mantids, can't deny My favorite's hard to pin Can't even choose an Order! On discovering my beloved mantids belonged with vile roaches on the cladogram: Preying mantids may evolutionarily  be predatory elongated cockroaches, I pray not show revulsion More on classical Japan here . ...

"Work with your non-dominant hand. If you are usually right-handed use your left, if you are left-handed, use your right. If you are ambidextrous, use your nose" This is a re-do *using my left hand* of the same mantis drawing (floral mantid) I did for the CS first day's prompt. It's better than I expected. (April 16, 2016)

"Transform something you thought was trash into something you want to keep" Actually, I don't want to keep it, but it is made of trash. Foil, a bit of rafia, and some old paperclips. All pulled out of the trash can. ...yep, going back in the trash can now... (June 12, 2016)

"Make something inspired by the last song or piece of music you listened to" That happened to be the Phil Collins song In the Air Tonight .  You know the one... "I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh lord!" very ominous sounding, and sort of just lingers in your ear with its catchy drumming.  Makes you look over your shoulder a bit. This is rendered in green acrylic pigment ink on black paper. I did some googling and apparently Phil doesn't really know what his song means either. (April 11, 2016)

"Make up your own new holiday and show us how to celebrate it." Celebrants perform the Dance of Obeisance 'round the bonfire for the Mighty Soothsayer,  who views them from the Tall Shrine as tasty little dancing critters Sacred Mantis Fortune Day To be celebrated Always on the second Saturday of May. Upon waking, the celebrant(s) will tip-toe into the garden or wherever a mantid might be, and gently capture the first mantis they find, no matter how long it takes to find one. This Mantis represents the almighty Soothsayer. The Mantis is then to be pampered in the celebrant's home. Offerings of freshly caught insects will be made throughout the day; the variety of which shall be tailored to the mantid's preferences. Compliments are written down on ornately decorated cards and presented to the Mantis. Praise of the mantid's fecundity and ferocity are the most popular sentiments for these beautiful cards. At dusk, a bonfire should be lit. The Ma...

"Look in your kitchen or a grocery store for inspiration.  Work with the first fruit or vegetable to catch your eye (canned or frozen counts!)" I have been making sandwiches for my lunch with zucchini, red onion, and spinach all week  (also with hummus and cheese, but that gets messy). The shape of the zuke inspired the mantis. I have mantids on the brain. [April 7, 2016]

It is Creative Sprint (CS) time again! That's the same 30-day creative challenge I did last year. They (Another Limited Rebellion) send daily prompts via email guiding the creative process. Today's prompt was: "Make something that fits in the palm of your hand using only materials from your immediate environment" In my morning fog I ignored the "fits in the palm of your hand" part. But this is my smaller sketchbook. :P The materials at hand (on my messy desk): a seed catalog, sharpie markers, a micron pen, a pencil and eraser, scissors, glue sticks (yes, plural). Another note, I was a good ways into my Bug-a-Day challenge when I had to stop due to new job exhaustion and the nursing care I've had to give my 17 year old cat (he can't walk or doing anything for himself right now). I'm still tired as hell, but I wanted to see if I could pick up the thread of my 365-day Bug-A-Day challenge using the CS prompts to help. To keep trac...

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

...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)

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

Another suggestion from Unstuck was to name seven things based on a prompt, such as "7 reasons to send back soup". One of the prompts was "7 names for a shrimp," so naturally I thought shrimp... mantis shrimp... mantis! Here are 7 names for a mantis. [February 14, 2016]

Baby Mantids need no explanation. [February 8, 2016]