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As the leaves don their autumnal hues and the air takes on a crisp, invigorating quality, nature prepares for its yearly transformation. Alongside this breathtaking spectacle, another transformation takes place as well: insects venture indoors. Instead of viewing this as a nuisance, let's explore the reasons why these tiny visitors grace us with their presence during the fall and the potential joys they bring.
In conclusion, the influx of insects during the fall is not just an intrusion; it's a shared experience with the natural world. By adjusting our perspective and welcoming these tiny visitors, we can turn an otherwise ordinary occurrence into an opportunity for observation, reflection, and gratitude for the beauty of the season.
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A truly great piece of art can spark curiosity and encourage conversation. There are few artistic mediums as unique — or occasionally divisive — as insects. One of the goals of my artwork is to educate the world about our amazing arthropods and hopefully alleviate common insect fears and phobias.
Ranging from deep earth tones to stunning iridescent shades, the natural world provides a rich palette to create bespoke art pieces in all manner of shapes and sizes. Whether you choose a single species to display or multiple types for a vibrant and complex design, your options are nearly limitless. Feel free to contact me to see what we can create for the next centerpiece of your art collection. Insects are often overlooked in the art world, but they have a unique beauty that can be appreciated by collectors and art enthusiasts alike. At Insect Collective, we offer luxury insect artwork that not only serves as a stunning addition to any home or office space but also provides a potential investment opportunity.
Our insects are ethically obtained, and we take great care to ensure that they are sourced sustainably. We are proud to say that our specimens are acquired from a very large personal collection that was started as far back as 1957. This collection was assembled by a renowned entomologist who traveled the world to gather these specimens. By acquiring them from such a reputable source, we are able to offer our customers the highest quality specimens available. Many people may not realize that insect collecting can be a valuable investment opportunity. In fact, insect specimens have been collected and traded for centuries, with some specimens fetching prices in the thousands or even millions of dollars. This is particularly true for rare or exotic specimens, which can be difficult to obtain and are highly sought after by collectors. Of course, investing in insect specimens is not for everyone. It requires a certain level of expertise and knowledge to understand the value and rarity of different specimens. However, for those who are passionate about insects and enjoy collecting them, it can be a rewarding and potentially lucrative investment. In addition to their investment potential, insects can also be appreciated for their unique beauty. At Insect Collective, we specialize in creating mosaics, patterns, and mandalas using carefully cleaned and positioned insect specimens. Our artists take great care to ensure that each specimen is positioned in a way that showcases its unique beauty, creating a stunning work of art that is truly one-of-a-kind. Our mosaics, patterns, and mandalas are particularly popular among collectors and art enthusiasts. Each piece is expertly crafted using a variety of species, from colorful butterflies to exotic beetles, all carefully arranged to create a beautiful and intricate pattern. These pieces make stunning additions to any home or office space and can be customized to fit any decor style. In conclusion, insects offer a unique beauty that can be appreciated in a variety of ways, from investment opportunities to stunning works of art. At Insect Collective, we take great pride in offering luxury insect artwork that is both ethically sourced and expertly crafted. Whether you’re a collector, art enthusiast, or just someone who appreciates the beauty of insects, we invite you to explore our collection and discover the wonder of these fascinating creatures.
When we think of artwork, we often imagine paintings or sculptures. But have you ever considered insects as high-end artwork? If not, you may want to reconsider after learning about the unique beauty of butterflies and their wings.
Some butterflies have a pigment called "true blue," which is only found in a few species. Most butterflies get their blue coloring from structural coloration, which is created by light reflecting off microscopic structures on their wings. But the true blue pigment adds a special element of rarity and beauty to these butterflies. One example of a butterfly species with true blue pigment is the morpho butterfly, found in Central and South America. Their wings are a vibrant, iridescent blue that appears to change color depending on the angle of light. Another example is the blue morpho butterfly, which has metallic blue wings that seem to glow in the sunlight. Butterfly wings with true blue pigment are not only beautiful in nature, but they also make stunning pieces of art when framed. These framed insects can add a touch of elegance and uniqueness to any home or office space. And because of their rarity, they make for a truly high-end and exclusive piece of artwork. If you're looking to add some natural beauty to your space, consider purchasing a framed butterfly with true blue pigment. These pieces are not only visually striking, but they also have a fascinating story behind them. The rarity of the true blue pigment in butterflies makes these pieces even more special and valuable. When searching for a framed butterfly with true blue pigment, be sure to look for reputable sellers who ethically source their specimens. It's important to support sellers who prioritize the ethical treatment of insects and do not contribute to the destruction of their habitats. In addition to true blue pigment, there are many other stunning colors and patterns found on butterfly wings that make for beautiful artwork. Some species have intricate patterns that resemble stained glass, while others have bold, contrasting colors like black and orange. Each butterfly is unique in its own way, and these differences add to the charm and beauty of butterfly wing art. Overall, butterfly wing art is a unique and captivating way to bring the beauty of nature into your home or office. The true blue pigment found in certain species of butterflies adds a special element of rarity and exclusivity to these pieces. So next time you're searching for high-end artwork, consider the unique beauty of framed insects with true blue pigment.
Butterflies should make entomologists (people who study insects) out of all of us in 2021. Is there any other living creature so universally admired? Jean Paul Gaultier’s Spring 2014 Haute Couture collection was entirely inspired by butterflies. The models--the ”Papillons de Paris”--walked the runway in “playful reinterpretations of those winged beauties.”  “Life is a butterfly! So all the collection is that!” Gaultier explained. Small children are thrilled with the landing of a butterfly on their fingers; brides and grooms borrow butterfly beauty to style their weddings. We love to decorate our homes with butterfly art. Gaultier is right: we recognize Life itself in these magnificent, delicate creatures. We identify with their transformation. We envy their radical beauty. And we long to own their powers of seduction. Butterfly Transformation A butterfly begins as a rather vulgar little creepy-crawly: the 6-legged caterpillar. Caterpillars, who do absolutely nothing but eat (up to 86,000 times their own initial weight), shed their skins 5 times to make way for bigger and bigger bodies. They even shed their faces. The caterpillars’ stages are referred to as “instars,” far too heavenly a word for such strange little eating machines. The 5th instar becomes the chrysalis, and that is where the ugly eater, after 10-14 days, emerges as one of the most stunning creatures on Earth. There can be no doubt that we see ourselves at times as the grotesque caterpillar, toiling away every day. The monotony of the caterpillar’s day and its vulnerability to birds, ants, wasps, and people make its life entirely un-enviable--with the exception of the bizarre gift of leaving its old small selves behind. Discarding of old useless skin for a better fit; spinning a magical house to hide in; emerging as a new, better, more ravishing self: this is the stuff our fairy tales are made of. This year, we all ought to see our potential for symbolically undergoing a metamorphosis of caterpillar to butterfly. Butterfly Beauty Butterflies come in a baffling 17,500 species--over 750 of those in the United States. Their variety, elegance, and ethereal bodies have earned them the nickname, “flying flowers.” The Painted Lady / Cosmopolitan / Vanessa cardui is the most common; their migrations from North Africa to Britain and Ireland are a remarkable phenomenon. We human beings die at an average age of 78 years, in the midst of mental and physical decline. The Painted Ladies, who live about a year, die at the height of their beauty. Groups of people are crowds, mobs, hordes. En masse we perspire and complain. Groups of butterflies are called kaleidoscopes. En masse they soar and delight. The rarest of the butterflies is the Palos Verdes blue / Glaucopsyche lygdamus palosverdesensis. While its scientific name is sizable, its body is quite dainty (2.5-3 cm). These angels only live in the Palos Verdes Peninsula in southwest Los Angeles County, California.  Photo Credit: Frank Model, flickr This past year (2020), conservationists who carefully bred the endangered species, released 1000 of them into their natural habitat in secret locations. Why secret locations for the endangered Palos Verdes blues? Scarcity fuels desire. Consider the Hermes Birkin Bag. If you’re a Kardashian, you have a closet full. Just about anyone else can’t even get on a waitlist. From the most common to the rarest, each butterfly is unique and astonishing, as Instagram clearly illustrates we wish we could be. Butterfly Seduction Butterflies are not shy about their life mission: MATING. A mate is not easily won; it requires using all the tools Nature has provided: color, scent, competition, dance, and PERSISTENCE. Human beings have become quite lazy about their mating rituals, swiping and scrolling on dating apps feels like work. We become quickly discouraged--or worse, attract the wrong mate. If we would follow the example of the butterfly mating rituals, we might have better results. DATING, BUTTERFLY-STYLE 1. Let your style reflect who you really are. Butterfly colors distinguish male from female and species from each other. Even insects need help finding each other. 2. For gosh sakes, smell good. Butterflies use scent to communicate. They release chemicals into their environment (pheromones) that trigger a response in a potential mate. Pheromones are essential in human matches, too. Dating apps can’t help you with chemical attraction; we need to be in each other’s presence to determine a connection. 3. Fight for what you want. Male butterflies send out acoustic pulses or signals individually or in competitive groups (“lekking”). The female picks. Of course. 4. Seduce. The right look and winning a competition isn’t enough. The male butterfly must do a little jig. His dance around her, and the release of pheromones as he dances, must impress her enough for her to offer herself up. 5. Don’t give up. Females routinely first reject the mate they eventually accept. Males will persist, waiting until she’s in the mood. Having “butterflies” is the metaphor for the stirrings of love in our bodies. The flutter of excitement and passion echoes the flutter of fragile and otherworldly wings.  May 2021 be a year of butterfly-like transformation and beauty for us all, and the butterfly art on our walls, like this exquisite Swallowtail, remind us to be patient in this year's pursuits. |
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Affiliations:
Entomological Society of America 
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