insect survey

I'm starting to work on some tree sketches in preparation for my office tree painting. I've never really drawn trees before, so I figure it would probably be a good thing to practise first. I'm also aware that I'll be using pretty inexpensive acrylics that will be fairly thick and not as easy to mix as high-quality paints, so that will be an interesting (but fun) challenge. The sketch above was done in Corel Painter 8 with the Thick Acrylics brush, based on a tree that Jeff and I saw on Molly's Island. Not exactly sure what kind of tree this is, sorry.

Many thanks to our friend Walter for watering our garden and sending us photos of renovation progress during our cottage stay. I am SO hyped about finally being able to move in in a couple weeks. Our tentative official move-in date is Saturday, July 23rd...FOURTEEN MORE DAYS!

A few days ago, I got a mosquito bite on my left eyelid. I had slathered insect repellant on almost every other square inch, but the little bugger got through my defenses. The following morning, I woke up looking like Bill the Cat and unable to see out of my left eye. Ugh. Swelling seems have finally disappeared today.

I generally don't mind insects, though I make exceptions for the ones that want a piece of me (deerflies, mosquitoes, no-see-ums, etc.). The mosquito is definitely on my "kill without a qualm of guilt" list. My favourite insect is the dragonfly, partly because it eats mosquitoes but also because of its fragility and the colour-shimmer of its wings in the sunlight. When one lands on me while I'm swimming, I'll tread water and try not to dislodge it so I can watch it up close.

INSECT SURVEY:

What's your favourite insect?
What's your least favourite insect?
If you find a spider inside the house, do you squish it or carry it outside?
If you find a wasp inside the house, do you squish it or carry it outside?

June 2005 comments: Read Blatherchat | Post in Blatherchat | Livejournal comments