To Seaside

One of a series contrasting a coloured realistic appearing insect in my “Impressionist Sculptured Paper” style, against a semi-abstract natural-like setting made only of natural paper colours.This beetle, (Order Coleoptera), glistening metallic emerald in real life, was one of a few I discovered on an insect collecting trip to the north tropical country between Darwin and Arnhem Land in 1986. Little wonder similar examples from the Scarab family have attracted humans to use them in jewelry since time immemorial. Actual size about 25mm long.The background flowers are inspired by Sweet Bursaria, Bursaria spinosa which Scarab beetles are highly attracted to though I have no precise record of the flowers these Chafers were feeding on at the time. It is set against a texture resembling a native tree. While not exactly “Christmas Beetles” (Anaplognathus spp), this species is a closely related smaller cousin that easily rivals them for their famous beauty.Sculptured from Tasmanian Creative Papers 180gsm cold pressed recycled cotton rag paper for the insect body and a variety of unique handmade Asian mulberry papers for the bark, with Japanese Kozo 40gsm mulberry paper flowers. The backing board is French Arches 300gsm new cotton hot pressed art paper. Archival ink tinted colouring. Framed in Tasmanian Hardwood timber with chalk lime wash finish to compliment the papers behind acrylic glazing.Winner: Mention Honorifique for Director’s Choice, Mondial Art Academia Professional Artists Concour, 2025, France