I’ve painted a landscape at sunset when the pinks begin to glow. I’ve been looking into Mayflies and Antlions and how to integrate an oversized insect into the composition. The current piece is a 24X18″ acrylic unframed canvas.. The antlion’s metamorphosis is complete from egg to larva, pupa and winged adult. The doodlebug larva is the longest stage, over one to three years. It digs tiny pit holes by walking backwards in a spiral. Tiny prey fall into the trap where pincher jaws grab the food. When pupating, it spins a silk and sand cocoon for a month. The winged adult crawls to the surface and lives 25 to 45 days to mate and reproduce. The mayfly only lives a day as an adult and both remind me of the fleeting nature of experiences on the planet..

I walk everyday and sit to listen, observe my breath and to appreciate the solitude and the endlessness of nature’s intrigue. I follow the sounds and movement of creatures or the elements and later review the life cycle details of those that keep catching my attention. The canvas composition continues to provide contemplative moments as I follow the color and shapes into the picture plane.

I’ve enjoyed focusing my senses on the sounds, visuals, aromas and feel of the forest canopy and floor. I delight in the sounds of moving deer and streams of water. I’ve watched the moon come into view as we rotate eastward. I see the direction of light and the casted tree shadows across the mountainside. I’ve introduced myself to dozens of worms while tending the garden for winter’s rest. Over the last few weeks I’ve heard the unique vibration of humming birds over Jewel weed, seen floating Monarchs, fluttering Lantern Flies, popping Crickets, and Moths rustled up by Lola . She’s a curious 6-month-old dog who wants to catch and possibly eat anything that moves. She has tasted a pine cone and walnuts, all sorts of grasses and flower blossoms. She tried but shied away from a wool caterpillar, and I chased her from the copper head, but I got the feeling she knew it was dangerous.

Dillard’s descriptive observations in nature draw me into her world with a comforting familiarity. I am delighted by her perceptive talent, research stories and the endless explorations she inspires in readers.

How many interconnected aspects of these tinkering moments shall I include in a design?

Every moment in nature is an opportunity to observe and breathe in life’s wondrous beauty. When free from timed constraint, I yearn to give a reflective expression in song or a drawing. I’ve learned that when I am focused on a difficult job or a lingering conversation about justice and community, my eye is less able to be absorbed into the moment. I am drawn to journal and sketch with a different kind of energy when there is a deadline to present to an audience.

I do not foresee any challenges.

DCJ –
Okay to Pay $500
Percent for Art Fund
300065-20210
9/23/25