w y l y a s t l e yCardinal Meadowhawks
I recently started work on my next installation. I am making a lot of dragonflies.
Frankly, I set out to make beetles, however, the beetles most pleasing to me are not native to the Pacific Northwest. It’s important to me to have a native insect for this project as it will be installed as part of this year’s Nature Consortium’s Art’s in Nature Festival. I also wanted to choose a bug that is beautiful and one that has a useful, integral role in its habitat.
I started my search for a new bug at the Seattle Bug Safari. There I found Insects of the Pacific Northwest, a book filled with gorgeous images and straightforward information. I also found out that if you make a purchase at the gift shop, you will receive a two for one coupon for entry to the actual bug zoo.
Specifically, I have chosen to model this new work after the Cardinal Meadowhawk – a spendidly scarlet NW native. I am playing with steel and ruby fabric so far – we’ll see what else emerges.
This is my first foray into kinetic work. Here’s a quick peek at Sketch #1. More to come.
Thanks for visiting.
-w
w y l y a s t l e y 