Experiencing Art

I did not post last week because I was getting ready for this:

As part of Amesbury Days, an annual event in our town, the Cultural Council now hosts a juried art show and I decided to participate this year. I, along with over twenty other artists, found myself in an unconditioned City Hall on an unusually steamy day for June with not too many people out and about looking at art. But I did have some good conversations with some of the few who ventured out, got to know three other artists a bit better, met six very interesting people, who I hope to know better, and I sold two pieces! 

Earlier in the week I took my favorite five-year-old on an adventure at The Butterfly Place, and we became lost in the experience of intense colors and patterns swirling and landing around us.

And now I begin a week where the art gods may allow me to do some work. We shall see. . . 

More Insects

As I was working on another project in my studio, the object of week 8 fell onto the windowsill beside me. Popping the little beetle into a magnifying box, I saw that two sides of the wing cover were a rich red, and the blackish triangle in the middle revealed itself to be an iridescent green as I carried the beetle outside to better photograph it. But even more interesting was its face--a pale tan which meant that its two little black eyes really stood out. I got the feeling that this little guy was staring back at me and I could see him trying to solve the problem of how to get out of this enclosed space with all the sense and senses available to him.

This turned out to be a Scarlet Malachite Beetle and it appears such insects eat other insects, particularly those that eat our cereal grains.

And here is my tribute to this little creature, who is endangered in the British Isles:

Terra and I took a walk a couple of weeks ago in one of my favorite nearby parks, Maudslay State Park, the one-time grounds of a mansion that no longer exists, and wandered down a new path, often a good thing to do. I began to see those tiny blue Spring-is-here butterflies flitting in the sunlight. I was lucky enough to have one land right in front of me so I could grab some photos and here are my thoughts on a Spring Azure (a female because of the black cap on its forewings):

One exciting discovery about these simple beauties is that their antennae and legs are striped black and white.

I have fallen behind in my recording of my weekly squares (not in making them, however!!), partly because of a couple of bigger projects I am working on, partly because of all the other parts of my life that keep filling my days, and partly because of this: 

Finally, after three years of making do with various floor lights as well as light from the windows, I have track lights in my studio! This meant a significant cleaning and rearranging of the studio so that the electrician could actually get a large ladder into the space but it is done, except for one more head that must be added--and, at the flip of a switch (actually two switches), I have wonderful LED light not too blue and not too yellow! I am very pleased--and my aging eyes are thanking me.

And, if you are still reading, thanks for the company!

I am linking with Nina and Off the Wall Friday. Check out what's happening there.