Tags
exhibit, Imperial moth, insect, mixed media, Morton Arboretum, moth, nature, nature art, nature art jewelry, Nature Artists' Guild, polymer clay, quilt, sculpture, sketch, tiger moth
Over a year ago I was honored to be asked to be the featured artist for the Nature Artists’ Guild Spring Exhibit coming up on April 5, 6, and 7, 2019 at Cudahy Auditorium at the Morton Arboretum. As the year has passed, the work that I have recently finished has focused on moths. Several years ago I had found an Imperial moth caterpillar dead in my pond. I was heartbroken and excited at the same time as I hadn’t realized that these beautiful moths were in our area. I resolved to sculpt one on a pin oak branch last spring and got as far as the leaves.
Pin Oak Leaves
© 2018 Karen A Johnson
Then came the sketch of the moth…
Imperial moth sketch
© 2018 Karen A Johnson
And then this project stalled for 8 months.
Meanwhile, at the beginning of this year I started working with the Virgin Tiger Moth, designing fabric first, then sculpting several versions of the moth as I loved the graphic pattern and colors so much.
After acquiring some beautiful silk and learning that this moth feeds on various weeds, including lambs quarter and clover, I thought it would be interesting to put the sculptures on a quilted wall hanging featuring those two weeds.
On the Hunt: Tiger Moth
© 2019 Karen A Johnson
As the deadline approached for the exhibit, I had to decide whether to finish the Imperial moth…or not. My indecision was due to the complexity of the moth’s markings, as I like to sand my sculptures which means painting them wouldn’t work. Casting my doubts aside, I jumped in and created one, then set to make improvements on the next one.
Imperial Moth Sculptures
© 2019 Karen A Johnson
Then came the setting…do I put it in a frame? Leave it free? Or create another quilt? The quilt won as I had a small piece of gold silk which seemed appropriate for an Imperial moth. There are free sewn oak leaves in the background.
Oak Leaf Background
© 2019 Karen A Johnson
After nearly a year, here’s the final piece which will be on exhibit…Enjoy!
Waiting: Imperial Moth
© 2019 Karen A Johnson
Karen's Nature Art 
This is very impressive, Karen! Congratulations on such success!
Thanks, Marilyn. It’s a relief to have it be done and ready on time!
You moth is lovely! And i much admire your fabric! Blessings on your exhibit!
Thanks, Peter! I’m excited to see all my work together along with my friends’ work. Should be a colorful display!
Nice to have the story behind the picture. Love it.Linn
Thanks, Linn!
Wonderful! And so interesting to see your imperial moth “sketch.” The graph paper behind the insect is so smart. Tricks of the natural science illustrator! It’s impressive to see all you have created with these moths!
Thanks, Jean! Yes, I probably should have called it a drawing, but it was in my sketchbook so…
Your art is so beautiful…you remind me of John Cody and his beautiful paintings in his book, “Wings of Paradise” When I opened the book, I thought that the moths would fly off the page…And you have taken your photos to paintings to sculptures…What a beautiful journey that you have shared with us…Thak You! I am indeed honored to wear the exquisite Hercules Beetle that you made for me.
Thank you, OC, for your very sweet comment. John Cody was one of my very favorite painters and I took as many classes as I could from him. I think of him often. So glad you still like your beetle! ☺
I’ve watched this come together on IG. Glad I could come here and read about it 😊
Thanks, Holly! It was such an up and down journey, I thought it needed a post. Glad you enjoyed reading about it!
Karen, your work is exquisite! I love both your moths and am amazed at your skill in producing such wonderful works of art.
Thank you so much, Clare! I appreciate the kind words. I’ve missed keeping up with my blog and reading other’s blogs, including yours. Hopefully I’ll be able to catch up soon…
I’ve also been busy and haven’t kept up as I used to do!
Although I’m into butterflies, I am learning to appreciate moths. Still, moths scare me, but butterflies enchant me. I wonder why that is?
That’s interesting! Maybe because they fly at night and you can’t see them so well? Some are really quite beautiful…
Oh, the night flying is freaky!