Original artwork description:

Throughout the spring and summer months I often take photos of the quiet bee industry that is going on in my garden (although not so quiet when you get up close!). It’s an opportunity to spend some time slowing down, noticing life’s moments and appreciating the beauty around me. This original expressive watercolour, charcoal and acrylic painting created in March 2020 is one of a series of bee paintings that are derived from and inspired by my insect visitors.
With this Artwork I wanted to play with materials as well as highlight the beauty of the humble bumble bee and celebrate the fact that my garden is full of them in the summer months despite their ongoing plight and risks to their species.
I’ve used a variety of marks and smudges as I explore using watercolour and charcoal here, an eraser also becomes a drawing tool allowing me to shape, highlight and smudge the drawing as I intend it and I’ve added some acrylic paint in the body known as black 3.0 which purports to be the mattest blackest paint available. All my different marks and smudges remain visible on the drawings revealing the energy, emotion and processes in the making of it.

I hope these studies will inspire you to slow down and connect with the extraordinary beauty in an ordinary bee :)

Painting is approx 24cm x 30cm on 300gsm textured watercolour paper and will be sent in a cardboard large letter box with a certificate of authenticity making it suitable as a gift.

Materials used:

Charcoal, watercolour and paper

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