I've always been fascinated with biology and intersections between science and art. While painting is my preferred process, I dabble in photography and learned early the classic field rule to "look left, look right, and look behind you." I have found it just as important to add "look down" to my visual checklist. I find delight in patiently discovering the little hidden worlds around us that go largely overlooked in favor of flashier subjects and instant gratification. 

This collection of paintings is inspired by the often unnoticed iridescent beauty of beetles and other insects. One in 4 known animals is a beetle, and their diversity in shapes, colors, patterns, and textures is staggering. By super-sizing to focus on miniscule details, I hope to inspire the average viewer with negative bug associations to forgo their first impressions and instead consider the exquisite design of nature.