Watercolor, Ink, Coffee, Prismacolors
on Arches 100% cotton hot-pressed paper
16 x 20 inches
2023-24
This piece was created using the decalcomania method.
See Decalcomania.
This painting was inspired by a lichen called “The Devil’s Matchsticks”, Pilophorus acicularis. The insect is a fungus gnat genus named “Bradysia sp.“. Even the top regional entomology experts do not attempt to nail this fella down to species level. I am familiar with this species, having commonly captured it in my forest bug surveys over the decades.
The dark-winged fungus gnat (Bradysia sp.) is a tiny member of the fly family called Sciaridae. They live in shady moist forest environments. Their young feed on dead organic material in the soil. Regional entomologist extraordinaire, Dr. Andy Moldenke (OSU), once described the feeding behavior of their young to me, “They suck up the organic juices between the decaying particles in the forest topsoil.”. 
Here’s a picture I took of an adult Bradysia sp. through microscope. They are only about 2 mm long. Like humans, their babies are nearly hairless, orally fixated, cute, and kinda dumb.