Optima Sanguine Splash

Optima Sanguine Splash is part of a series of works based on macro photographs of butterfly wings. The genus Asterope is commonly known as a “blood drop,” and is the inspiration for this canvas. The series comes from my fascination with adaptive coloration in the plant and animal kingdoms and the role of butterflies in the natural ecosystem as pollinators. My references are typically drawn from science and natural history as well as from aesthetic concerns. The technique continues around the sides of the canvas, giving the work additional depth and presence.