BUGS
Experience the vivid world of Bugs, a stunning collection of six mixed media works that explore the deadliest insects on Earth. These small, powerful paintings blend abstract realism with hand-drawn illustrations, inviting you on a journey through the world's most deadly bug species. Step into the world of Bugs and discover the hidden dangers lurking right under our noses.
Here are a few close-ups of the small 5 x 3 hand-stretched canvases and the combination of acrylic paint, ink, charcoal, pencil, and oil crayon.
Indian Red Scorpion
Mixed media on canvas
5 x 3 inches
2021
There are about 1,500 species of scorpions in the world, of which only a few dozen of those are venomous. The Indian red scorpion is the most lethal of all.
In some parts of the world, up to 40 percent of stung victims succumb to death. This scorpion is a major problem in India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
Scorpions are usually shy, nocturnal arachnids but will sting when threatened. The Indian Red Scorpion is more of a problem because of its common contact with human inhabitants.
Honey Bee
Mixed media on canvas
5 x 3 inches
2021
Anaphylactic shock is the killer when it comes to the humble honey bee, and about 80 percent of those who die are human males according to several studies.
There are over 1000 deaths a year from the typical honey bee.
While the sting of any type of bee, hornet, or wasp can induce an allergic reaction, it doesn't usually end in death.
Tsetse Fly
Mixed media on canvas
5 x 3 inches
2021
Native to tropical Africa, these big, biting flies spread the parasitic infection that causes African sleeping sickness.
It's a disease that is 100 percent fatal without treatment, and the treatment itself is notoriously difficult. There are drugs, but they must be administered with great care, and parasite resistance to them is always a risk.
Kissing Bug
Mixed media on canvas
5 x 3 inches
2021
There are over 120 members of a subfamily of Triatominae. They are also known as kissing bugs or vampire bugs for their tendency to bite humans around the soft tissue of the mouth.
The insects are found in 28 states in the U.S. However, the ones here carry Chagas disease infrequently and the cases in the U.S. are thought to have originated in Central America, where it is endemic.
Chagas kill about 12,000 people annually worldwide.
Mosquito
Mixed media on canvas
5 x 3 inches
2021
One of the deadliest insects is, in fact, one of the deadliest critters in the entire animal kingdom. It is the mosquito, which kills more than 700,000 people every year worldwide.
Mosquitos can host a range of nasty diseases, including Malaria, Dengue Fever, West Nile Virus, Yellow Fever, Zika, Chikungunya, and Lymphatic Filariasis.
Malaria is the big one: In 2017, roughly 435,000 people died of the disease worldwide. That’s one person every 30 seconds. Get out the bug spray!
Covid
Mixed media on canvas
5 x 3 inches
2021
Unfortunately, we have all had encounters with the coronavirus bug. Some of us more than others ( I am sorry) it is a known fact that this terrifying virus strain has claimed over 3 million lives on this planet. Can we ever stop it?
(Although technically not a bug, it has been referred to as a bug such as the flu or common cold.)
This series will be exhibited later this year internationally.
