The Drawing Table: Luna Moth

Welcome to my studio! As is the plan, here is our regularly scheduled Monday update from the Drawing Table... 

I was able to put in some studio time this past weekend and finish up my fourth painting to be included in the "Wings" series.  This painting is of the Luna Moth, which is native to the Eastern United States, where I lived most of my life.  I chose this unique moth because of its vibrant green color and peculiar markings.  As a member of the Giant Silkmoth family (it can have a wingspan of  up to 4 1/2 inches), this beauty surely deserved to be captured on canvas!   I used acrylic paint on an 18 x 24" canvas.  

At first, the background had one large fern leaf, but I painted over that to put the moon and grass leaves (I painted the grass taller than the moth, too, which isn't pictured here).  I had to switch the color of the border from yellow to a more orangey color.I also added shading around the edges to give it that softness similar to the style of the butterfly painting.

 

 

 The moth, butterfly, dragonfly, and owl paintings will be a part of a series of "Biophilia" art prints, canvas giclee prints, and greeting cards.  This week, I will be scanning the paintings and preparing the digital files for the printer.  I can't wait to see the finished prints!  

Be sure to check in next Monday to see the latest from the Drawing Table, including a deeply personal painting in the works that is a bit different from my latest works (can you spot it behind the moth in the first picture?).