Words + Images

Upon my last great move, I had to get rid of a lot of books.  One of the few books I kept was A Pocket Guide to Butterflies & Moths.  The illustrations provided colorful, calming inspiration but I was also interested in learning just a bit of the science behind these winged insects that had captured my attention since childhood.

Here in Somerville, in this house with so many windows and so few screens, many a winged creature has made an appearance, from bumblebees and wasps to lady bugs and dragonflies.  No butterflies that I can remember, but across all the seasons, many a moth has visited and some have never left.  Usually, I find them nestled next to light sources, curled with proverbial charred wings next to light bulbs and candlewicks. The one in this series of images I found on a book shelf.  He was dry at the time and near no lamp.

I held him in my hand and wondered what had happened.  As I held him close, I could see the beauty of his form and so decided to try to capture what I saw before me.

A bit macabre perhaps but I think I learned some things about form, function, patterns and even color that I continue to muddle through.

Read Full Post »