"Overwinter Roost" Painting

Born: Owen Sound, ON, Canada - 1975 Studio: in-situ design About the Work: Series I & II_Seclus Entoma: "the hidden insect" There is an apprehension and an appreciation of insect fauna; interest stems from how they both influence and hinder human civilization. The influence of insects in literature, language, music, the arts, history, and religion has been recognized. As a conspicuous part of our environment, insects have captured our imaginations and become incorporated into our thinking from earliest times. Although the insect is commonly considered a low form of life that deserves only contempt, it is justifiable to contemplate the rightful relationships between humans and insects. Almost no aspect of our culture is untouched by these creatures. It is clear that culture is another sphere in which adaptability has compensated for the basically alien arthropod form and comportment. The metamorphosis of creatures, that usually irritate or disgust into objects of art and intrigue, challenges us to find beauty in unexpected places. It is this underlying fascination of the insects' exoskeleton [or body wall] both aesthetically and architecturally that creates metaphors both formally and structurally. Meaningful form is not limited to man and his works but to all things and all beings. In order to understand and interpret natural processes and how it influences form, there needs to be an understanding and examination of causation: systems, patterns, and temporality. In result, these works become the product of an approach to science, technology, and the natural world. Because of their inherently provocative forms and pleasing colors, insect fauna provides the principle theme for the series. Thus, these works become a representation of the formal qualities and diversity among insect fauna. Color and spatial organization are integrated to demonstrate contrast between abstraction and detail; backgrounds are bold and highly defined to articulate the subject matter. The highly sophisticated, intricate morphological pattern of the insect demonstrates both unique mechanical design and function. Diversity in the size, shape, and body composition provides a foundation both mysterious and intriguing. Series III: Gregaria gregaria (L) - living in flocks, herds or communities; inclined by nature to association or community life with others of the same species.