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I'm
not at all sure if I know how to put all these pictures onto one blog, so the only thing I can do is just try. Aside from that, I'm not really sure that I should, but, what the heck. Around the end of the summer last year, I got interested in beetles. So I committed myself (I heard that chuckle)...so I committed myself to do two dozen beetle 8 x 10's in a framework of one month. So I got some quarter round, a good miter box and saw and a roll of canvas and made thirty blanks. I selected 24 subjects, drew em out, blocked in the basic colors, and then set to detailing and finishing one a day, minus Sundays. It happened. And the above is the result.
Beetles are so intriguing. One out of every 5 living things on the planet is a beetle. There are more species of beetles than there are species of plants...well over 400,000 different....each of which, I think, have been crawling around my studio at one time or another. The scientific name is Coleoptera, and you can explore more by clicking the following: The Beetle Ring or Coleoptera.
I could go on for pages about beetles, but I won't because I'd probably go to sleep doing it, or you'd go somewhere else from sheer boredom. So I'll leave you with a thought...next time you go to step on a beetle, remember that they really, really outnumber you. And that beetle could be some other beetle's Momma. And they also make a yucky sound when
you do step on em.
So we better get stepping, yes !
ReplyDeleteok , I won't just kidding I can see you like them . You did some fabulous job here. They look so good. There was this great fad a while back were you had one of those critter incrusted with some jewels attached to a little chain and pin and they walk around on you coat. I guess they don't do that any more. Are you working on DSFDF ? Careful you'll loose your head over it.
These are just beautiful, exquisite! It goes to show there is beauty in all living things. Where did you get the references or do you live in a 'buggy' climate?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Dominique and Deborah. I painted several from photos I took myself, but some of the more exotic ones I had to rely on photos. The sites I have linked show some fantastic ones and I have used Ales Obst from the Czech republic. Actually, I have encountered far less insect, snake and varmint problems here in Costa Rica than I am used to in Florida, Texas and Louisiana.
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ReplyDeleteHey James! giving it a try! Nice beetles!
ReplyDeleteI tried leaving a comment the other day on these and it would not let me.
ReplyDeleteSO here goes again, I hope this works.
I love all of the beetles. I drew one last year with graphite and found them quite challenging to draw. Well, it might not have been a beetle as I don't really know my bugs, but it sort of looked like one.
You have much detail in your painting of them. Great work.
Wow. All I can say is, wow!!! Those are amazing!
ReplyDeleteThese are great James!!! I once picked up a huge beetle that I thought was dead. I brought into my mother's house and examined it under a magnifying glass than set it on the mantelpiece. An hour later the thing was running around. Amazing creatures. Your paintings are excellent
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful bugs! (Did I really say that about bugs?!) You did a wonderful job on these James. So much color and detail!
ReplyDeleteLike Maria, I tried to leave a comment the other day and couldn't, the word verification would lock up. I hope all the "bugs" are out of the system now!
These are fantastic paintings. Not only do the beetles look ready to crawl off the canvas, the backgrounds are great too! What a great collection!
ReplyDeleteBTW, thanks for joining my blog!
Wow!
ReplyDeleteAmazing work James! Thanks for stopping by my blog.
I was camping last month and we had a 'plague' of these amazing little beetles, I sketched the patterns and they are waiting to be a painting, but these are beautiful. So intricate.
Okay, I'm trying again to post a comment after trying several times. Your detail work on ALL the beetles is excellent - glad I have several of these paintings in my collection. Your prices are good too. I'm glad you liked and recommended The Shack - now I've have to buy another copy for saving and rereading. Luv,
ReplyDeleteRobin, Marcia...thank you..they're really fun to paint. Maria, If your bug's not a beetle, it's OK, he won't mind...it's the thought that counts. Stephen, you Do have to watch those beetles...just when ya think they're down for the count, they'll up and pinch your...they'll pinch something.
ReplyDeleteYes, Michelle, beetles are beautiful...like everything is, if ya just look at in the right way. Carrie, thanks...they won't crawl off the canvas, tho....I used Super Glue. And Michelle from Down Under, I hope y'all get all the conflagrations under control...beetles hate raging fires, too. Margaret,I thought you got those beetle paintings to feed your bird paintings.
ReplyDeleteI just LOVE these beetles!! You have done a great job on these. I can't believe you spent only one day to finish each painting. These really inspire me to try painting bugs. Oh, I just love bugs and frogs. You paint them all so well!
ReplyDeleteHi James: I have a confession to make. I abhor bugs, most of them anyway. But after seeing your beetle paintings, I have a new appreciation of them. When they are painted on a canvas, that is:D Your paintings are absolutely stunning. The colors are amazing! Each one a tiny jewel:) Thank you for the experience!
ReplyDelete~Nancy
I LOVE beetles and their wondrous patterns, colours and patinas. Wow, what a fantastic collection you've painted here - your work is exquisite, James. Truly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOh, just read the poem you wrote for my boys! Perfect!
ReplyDeleteThanks Akiko....the frogs are coming. Nancy, Tessa, thank you for your kind words. Tessa, your work on Nancy's Every Photo tells a Story is a hoot..it was easy to capture a little poem from it.
ReplyDeleteHi James,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog! Your beetles are amazing! These are very cool paintings!
I will also be following your blog!
Very lovely work on beetles, good color and rendering, strong values...and of course the natural intrigue that comes of the unusual and varied species!!! Nice job!
ReplyDeleteLarry
Okay, I confess, I came back to post after not being able to the other day AND to really see that Larry Seiler, THE Larry Seiler was here. HOW COOL IS THAT!!!! I already told you in an email how wonderful your beetles are. I didn't tell you I use to have the rhinoceros beetle as a pet in Japan. Those and crickets are popular pets over there. Now I'm going to try and seeing if posting next to Seiler will give me any more painting mojo by osmosis.
ReplyDeleteWOW! These are all so good and super realistic that if it hadn't been for your signature I would have thought they were photos of actual beetles.
ReplyDeleteFantastic job!
Manon, Gwen, thanks for stopping by and your delightful comments. Manon, welcome to my blog...free bananas and coffee next time you're in Costa Rica. Larry, if you ever occasion back to these parts, thanks for taking time out of your schedule to drop a note, and drop in any time for a smile. Sheila..Larry's just a human like the rest of us...or some of us, that is...with an extra helping of talent. I am honored by his visit :-)
ReplyDeleteJames, it is so great to see all of these together in one spot! I think it was these I saw originally on your website, but I had no idea you did all of it in one month either! What a great endeavor, and look at the fantastic result. I feel truly inspired. Beetleful work! :-)
ReplyDeleteI checked out the webring you provided also and it's great to have it.
James, unbelievable effort!!
ReplyDeleteHats off to you!!!
Even i love and adore nature more than anything..
But having a look at your blog, i feel a great sense of respect for your dedication and passion towards wildlife.
Keep it up!!
Wow James. I am so impressed with these. Your work is so bold and awesome and I want one of these paintings!
ReplyDeleteJames, I'm so glad you found my blog. I am returning the visit. From what I've read so far, I'm guessing you have a personality as colorful as these beetles. I'll be checking back often. Regarding "The Beetles"...You did a wonderful job of rendering form and the backgrounds are outstanding. Did you post these in the order executed? I've heard so often that serial painting is a great exercise, just wondering if you saw improvement from first to last. Very nice content, thanks for posting. Regards.
ReplyDeleteThese paintings are wonderful! I love bugs, too. These remind me of the wildlife stickers/stamps you could collect as a child. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOutstanding job, James. Beautifully done!
ReplyDeleteThis is a stunning collection. I had to look several times to make sure they were not photographs!
ReplyDelete