OniOniOniArt

Maneki Neko , completed July 23, 2015 Here is a photographic illustration of how I make lino block prints...  original pencil sketch Every lino starts with a sketch. Often I will flip the image (and resize if necessary) using the computer. Sometimes I can trace onto the block directly from the original. Here I am using graphite paper to transfer the drawing (which is under the white paper in this photo). Note that the image has been flipped. Since I work primarily on a small scale (usually smaller than 2" x 3" - 5 x 7.5 cm), I typically use just three blade types for cutting the design into the linoleum: the #1 V blade for details, the #2 V blade for further outlining, and the #5 U blade for removing the excess linoleum. Here I have cut the detail lines and the outline once with the #1 blade. This is the second outline with the #1.  I widen the outline around the image in stages for two reasons. First, one is less likely to ...

So I've been neglecting the Dirt Patch during this period of wretched heat, no-see-ums, and thunderstorms, and it's become a bit overgrown. But who cares, I think it looks wild and lovely! Look at all the blooming zinnias! They took a long time to get going; I direct sowed them in early March and the first isolated bloom finally made an appearance at the end of June.  Believe it or not, now is the time to start sowing the winter seeds. In this miserable summer heat, it is difficult to contemplate that cold weather is even possible here (the lengthy FL summer is the main reason I want to flee to the north. Summer in small doses). I was very late getting the seeds started last year, and my winter garden took all season to grow into its own, only becoming full when the heat arrived and it was time to yank them out of the ground. I really have no excuse this year. The seeds are in the fridge, I have the soil, and miracles , I actually have the time. My biggest problem ...

Wedge-shaped Beetles, Ripipharidae, Macrosiagon sp . These bizarre-looking beetles parasitize solitary bees and wasps as larvae. The male (top) has feathery antennae while the female (below) lacks this plumage (though she makes up for it with the sportier colors and spots). They were mating until I disturbed them with my presence. My apologies, beetles. Rough stink bug, Brochymena sp . Rough stink bugs are usually found in trees and are colored and textured to blend in with the bark. This one actually flew from a tree and landed on my leg. I placed it in the leaf litter for aesthetic purposes. They are quite flat! Click beetle, Elateridae This small species of click beetle was all over the park. I'm unsure of its identity, perhaps Limonius ? Firefly, Photuris sp . Queen Butterly, Danaus gilippus I find butterflies exceedingly difficult to photograph! This is the best shot I could get.  Many others escaped the camera completely. T...

Mantispid or mantisfly, Mantispidae Today I explored Lake Mills Park and came across the above mantispid (among many other insects) which made my morning! So far I've only seen one other mantispid in my life, a green one. This one seems decidedly rotund in the abdomen, I wonder if it is a gravid female (or, hope not, possibly it has internal parasites)? Mantispids are in the order Neuroptera and not related to mantids, though they hunt in a similar fashion; ambushing prey by grabbing them in their raptorial forelimbs. Air potato leaf beetle - Lilioceris cheni Florida is overrun with invasive air potato vine which chokes out native vegetation. This beetle was introduced as a biological control a few years ago since it was found to feed exclusively on the air potato...and I'm happy to report it's kicking ass. Invasive air potato vine The "potato" Ebony jewelwing damselfly, Calopteryx maculata - male Restless b...