Lacewing

  This is my latest Work in Progress. I am calling it "Lacewing" because the woman's headpiece is the head of a lacewing fly. This is a challenge for me due to the fact that I am very afraid and grossed out by bugs in general, but I am trying to look past my fears and find the beauty in nature. Lacewings are known for the delicate patterns in their wings, which, of course, resemble lace, but I have discovered that lacewings also have the most interesting compound eyes. I have not gotten there yet, but eventually the eyes will have thousands of cells decorating them. Right now I have just created the underpainting, which shows the myriad of colors that are reflected in the area around the cells. Another interesting fact is that some species of lacewings are known to kill their dinner and then carry it around on their backs until they get hungry. In this case, I am using a colorful aphid, which is hanging out on her shoulder until it's time has come. This juxtaposition symbolizes the woman as being both a strong instigator and  weakened prey.

  I will also be incorporating the wing patterns into the mask she is wearing over her eyes, but that will have to come later.

  This is a piece which, to me, shows that not all beauty can be compartmentalized into only what we as a society deem beautiful. Sometimes you have to look closer to appreciate the wonders of the world around us.