Imbalance

“Evermore in this world is this marvelous balance of beauty and disgust, magnificence and rats.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

In a world of constant imbalance, sometimes a simple line is all that is necessary to separate truth from fiction.

Blurry Blush

Second state

blush wine.
blush. blush. blush. blurt out. blurt. blurry. blurring. blurriness. blushful. bluster. bliss, blush.

blissful blush.

The grape can be so crisp and tart, yet at its best is blurry and sweet.

Flying

Flying had been his forte for so long, but today, the raven relished his solitude and settled for a quiet space amidst the oxidizing wrought iron spires. Amazing just how much one can learn from dwelling below the radar, watching...just watching.

Magic Hat T-shirt contest: craving a nine

Hey everyone...I appreciate your feedback and criticisms on the following designs. Magic Hat Brewery has a t-shirt contest for their #9 brew, anticipating the 09/09/09 date.

I love their brews, so I decided to participate in the contest. But, before I enter my design, I was hoping to solicit the feedback of my fine friends. I can only submit one, so I appreciate any help you may have to offer.

Thanks in advance!

Andy

Celebrate

With a swift motion of the blade, the minotaur severed cupid's left wing...
...a wounded yet determined cupid escaped his fierce grip to work his magic on yet another Saint Valentine's Day.

The celebration ensues.

Voices

Everyone knows where that special place exists - the one where the myriad of obnoxious, overlapping, clashing voices in our minds just seem to disappear. There is about 100 or more acres of abandoned farmland nearby by house. Sometimes, a nice walk through the overgrowth tends to de-frag my soul and rid my psyche of unnecessary and meaningless stress. Again, the simplest things tend to point me in the right direction and set my compass in clear perspective.

Here...my first egg tempera painting. This is a demonstration piece that accompanied my lesson. I am thrilled at the idea of grinding my own paints and physically mixing them with egg yolk. The quality/feel of the paint produced was surprising and it is my hope to pursue this medium further.

Similar

Although similar in blood, my two boys have distinct differences in appearance, personality, and gift.

Opinion

“Opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance.” --Plato

Late

Unless we go green, life is in jeopardy of going brown. Let's take care of what we have before it is too late.

Packed

The pickles were packed precisely, as per Professor Plum's prescription.

Say it quick...5 times.

Memories

Sometimes the mere act of looking at my youngest son triggers the precious, almost forgotten memories of my own optimistic childhood.

Primitive

One cannot look very far these days without seeing an electric line, gas line marker or evidence of industry. We use the word 'primitive' to describe something naive, rustic, unintelligent, simplistic, or otherwise unsophisticated; yet, are we truly that much more advanced as a society?

I defer to the words of Leonardo, in that "to be simple is the greatest form of sophistication."

Fail

"Look at this big - eyed fish swimming in the sea oh
How it dreams to be a bird swoop and diving through the breeze
So one day caught a big old wave up on to the beach
Now he’s dead you see beneath the sea is where a fish should be."

-Dave Matthews

Save

Every time you hear a -(POP)-, a light bulb gets its wings.

If we could all be a bit more conservative in our everyday consumer efforts, we would not only save a great deal of money on our bills each month, but such efforts would certainly help save the earth.

Go green!

Homage

We should all pay homage to our service men and women, past, present and future. Although I personally object to war, I still try to find time to appreciate the efforts of those who have dedicated their lives to the cause. The real homage should be paid to the families of such men and women.

Pet Peeves

Lip service

Nothing annoyed the rats more than people who are full of empty, meaningless, talk. People who give lip service to each and every person they encounter and then talk negatively about them in the same breath. Empty calories, flakes, blow-hards, duplicitous delusionists - these people, who are unable to look beyond their own interests, were certainly the very thing that peeved these pets.

Today, the experiment was determining whether or not those annoying lips could stand up to the test they proclaimed to master. “Light her up”, he exclaimed as he packed the empty pie hole with 16 ounces of truth.

Heavy

The Mountain Colony had finally done it. They succeeded in cultivating a new breed of olive, which for many years, had only been mentioned in rare cryptic text and had been regarded by many as nothing more than myth.

Domecio had been entrusted with the coveted, yet risky task of transporting this new specimen to the horticultural authorities. The significance of this breakthrough had never weighted heavier on the heart and body of poor Dommy.

As he was sure to encounter ground threats of other jealous colonies, Domecio was prepared. Approaching his destination, he began to release the decoys, while clutching tightly upon the real deal.

History was about to change.

Garden

He was filled with much more than folic acid that day.

Within the garden, the Asparagus spear stalked the band of brussel sprouts through clumps and clumps of weeds...until suddenly, he made his move with a swift thrust of his shaft. As everyone scattered in fright, the lifeless King sprout was lifted into the air in effigy. He was just making sure that those rotten balls wouldn't be growing roots in his prime soil.

After all...he never did like those brussel sprouts. Even as a kid, he remembers kicking them under the table in disgust.

Leap

Yet another: State 3 illustration


Okay...here she is...


Slaying the dragon was the only first of the numerous formidable tasks that lay before them. In order to create a diversion for their siege, they decided to canon-leap hundreds of rats from the moat onto the castle top. After all, one must never underestimate the damage that just one measly rat can do to an entire empire.

------

Here is a detail of my IFRI for "leap"; I may be adding color to the overall composition and submitting it later this week.

Multiple

Multiple times had the ancient mariner sought to catch the great beast of the sea. This, too, would be yet another unsuccessful attempt - as this shark was just too smart to be brought down by such a feeble-minded fool.

Theory

Everyone has theories. I have a theory that students in my class will create noticeably more dimensionally robust drawings of objects if they understand the anatomical structure which lies beneath. Cross-sectional lines...therein lies truth!

Although I am not a graphic designer, I rendered this handout for my class for them to better understand these ideas. I have included a cropping of it, because I feel it has a certain aesthetic quality to it. Handouts can be beautiful, can't they?

Choose

Imagine the pitfalls we would avoid if we would choose to use our brain for something other than a last resort...

Blanket

Suddenly, a menacing deep "meow" echoed through the wallboards, like thunder through a valley, causing Chester to cradle himself deeper under his blanket?

Legends and Tales

There were many legends and tales about the deep South...hidden facts and elusive theories as to our nation's dependence of foreign fuels. Well, it didn't take a genius to understand one true FACT - that the American people are literally being hosed. On this day, one modern-day Indian, sick of being bullied, took it upon himself to put the squeeze on the tangible manifestation of crooked bureaucracy - the gas pump.

Plain

Now in plain view, Nero was susceptible to the onslaught of poisoned arrows.

Stitches

But always remember - that which a man stitches is always vulnerable to the picks of jealous hatred.
-anon.

100%

While even the greatest scientists who came before him utilized, at greatest, 23% of their brain's maximum potential, Dr. Esposito discovered a way to use it all. Dark, dark days ensued - as the smarter and more innovative civilization became, the greedier, more unhappy and self-consumed they had become.

Soar

It was New Year's Day, the very first day of a brand spanking new set of 365 sunrises. Hector had no problem with Aether snagging him from the 5th cocktail party of the season for the annual soar. The winds were perfect and the company of Golden Eagles, simply glorious.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Horizon

Extracting the speed from Hermes and implanting it within the heel of Achilles would change Greek mortality forever. Dr. Smith and his assistant, Fra Angelica were not just the most innovative scientists of their time, but today they were on the horizon of something big, very, very big.

Backwards

This giant beast will surely force you into a backwards tread on your journey.

Little Things

It's the little things...there IS nothing bigger, is there?
"What we call little things are merely the causes of great things; they are the beginning, the embryo, and it is the point of departure which, generally speaking, decides the whole future of an existence. One single black speck may be the beginning of gangrene, of a storm, of a revolution."
-Henri Frederic Amiel

Excess

"In everything the middle course is best: all things in excess bring trouble to men.”

-Titus Maccius Plautus

---

'Tho the humans viewed moderation in a trusted, bright light, Jacquez felt differently. He was now the top cat - the world, his oyster.

Zoo

Okay...something very different for me. Felt like making some quick , transparent vector drawing and made this icon.

Superstition

Always on the anxious side, Felix was not very fond of new and unusual experiences. Never accused of being lucky, he relied on his innate abilities to stalk through the cornfields of life.

Scale

It was a rude surprise -- the warhead barreling towards him -- as he secretly scaled the cheese castle. The last thing Gunther expected to see at such a lifeless hour was the presence of the dairy authorities. Just what were they doing in the cheese factory at this time?

Hats

At birth, this hard-shelled creature had everything he needed to traverse through what was left of the dense and extremely dangerous Philippine archipelago rainforest...everything but a "hard head". With his new hat-adaptation, this specimen would now be able to travel without vulnerability.

Trick or Treat

Don't you love those little people this time of year!?...me, me, me...I want candy...give me MORE...

Too much of a 'treat' towards them results in a 'trick' for us.

Grow

"Mortals grow swiftly in misfortune."
-Hesiod

Extreme

Sometimes the best experiences result from the worst...such extremes are what define us and bring balance to our universe.

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Fire is the test of gold; adversity, of strong men.
-Seneca

Open

Sometimes the simplest, lowliest things in life open the largest, most formidable doors. Dare to peel away the shell of things and open up new possibilities for yourself and others.

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Just love will open our eyes
Just love will put the hope back in our minds
Much more than we could ever know
Don't burn the day away...

-Dave Matthews

The Blues

It is the "blues" that truly make the oranges appear lush.

Juggle

The art of drawing requires much "juggling" in terms of the information, hand control, and execution of ideas onto a piece of paper.

Wedding

The first indication should have been her demands for a crystal-clear 5 karat diamond and her refusal to sign a pre-nuptual aggrenment. As she gripped his hand in the ceremonial cutting of the cake, he couldn't help but wonder just how long the honeymoon would really last.

Momentum

With the momentum of a speeding freight train, the furious gator kicked open the door. His scales were on edge, as what he saw inside was more than what he could have ever imagined.

Alphabet

The Italian Alphabet is a beautiful thing.

Captain

Captain of the skies...

Emergency

There is ample reason to call for an "emergency" when there is but one cup of coffee to share among a group of ten thirsty people. Here, we see our protagonist, Randy the Rhino, securing the precious liquid from the mobs of caffience-deprived vigilantes.

Missing

Not very fond of color, I reluctantly proceeded with pastels and was surprised that it gave life to the composition...something that it was otherwise missing.

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"And if you hold on tight to what you think is your thing, you may find you're missing all the rest."

-DMB Under the Table and Dreaming

Moon

Here is an excerpt form one of my favorite poems, S.T. Coleridge-style of course...

"The moving moon went up to the sky, And nowhere did abide; Softly she was going up, And a star or two beside."

Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Rhyme of The Ancient Mariner

Poem

The poet takes ordinary, unrelated words, and from them, produces something extraordinary and exciting. So too a good companion is someone who can bring rhyme and reason to the meter of your otherwise mundane life.

Discovery

Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton asked why.
-Bernard Baruch

It is with our hands that we carry out the inter-workings of our mind.

Geeky

Although many described Uncle Jack as "geeky", I always considered him as an eccentric, colorful kind of guy.

Twisted

Take heed to those with whom you keep company; for many a man hath fallen to a simple twisted word shared among a duplicitous acquaintance.
-Anon.

Camouflage

'Tho you attempt to camouflage your jealousy and insecurity amidst humor and sugar-coated conversation, I can see right through you.

Camouflague

Like camouflague, I will receed into the background of the ifri world. I told myself that I would keep my posting streak alive (94 posts), in so much as I received comments. Seeing that I received a whopping "zero" on my last post, I am now relinquished from my posting duties!

My life is much too busy to waste time posting in vane. No - don't think that I will stop drawing...not at all, you just will not see what I do. After all, isn't that what camouflague does?

Happy illustrating...it's been fun!

Rejection

During the upcoming holiday, take time to remember the young men and women who walked upon our soil over 200 years ago; their rejection of the subjugation of British rule gave us the freedoms that we experience today. The red stripes in our flag have been paid with a great price.

Suit

This is a quick pastel sketch done from memory of the valley below our new property. It is a view that will suit me just fine.

Your Paradise

Your paradise can be found in nature, for therein lies "lux et veritas".

Paradise

Narrow is the path...

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Midway along the road of our life,
I found myself in a darkened wood,
where the true path had been obscured.

Oh, how hard it is to speak of it,
this savage, wild and fearsome wood;
the thought of it renews my terror!

More bitter is it than is death itself;
but to reveal to you the good I found,
I must talk of the other things I saw.

From La Divina Commedia di Dante: Inferno by Dante Alighieri

Cars

Vintage.

Signs

Nature's sign to the advancement of the human race. If we can't obey a literal sign, them how will we EVER be able to read the subtle signs of nature's exploitation?

Citrus

God's gift to our taste buds.

Neighbor

You can live for years next door to a big pine tree, honored to have so venerable a neighbor, even when it sheds needles all over your flowers or wakes you, dropping big cones onto your deck at still of night. ~Denise Levertov

Remember

How suddenly we forget.

Polar

In our great efforts to become civilized, global and indistrialized, have we forgotten God's creatures that first inhabited this most precious sphere?

Deforestation and fossil fuel emission are just some of the many contributers to the problem that we call "global warming". The results of our industrialization can be seen throughout our globe, especially in the habitat of the North Pole. Does anyone really care that our advancement as a human race means putting the Polar Bear on thin ice?

Fortune

"Fortune truly helps those who are of good judgment."
Euripides

Fortuna
In Roman mythology, Fortuna (equivalent to the Greek goddess Tyche) was the personification of luck, hopefully of good luck, but she could be represented veiled and blind, as modern depictions of Justice are seen, and came to represent the capriciousness of life. She is also a goddess of fate.

Green: Part II

It isn't always the green fairy that visits those who partake of this green liquid.

Green

Absinthe: la Fée Verte

Snap

From the Hardwood Floor Wars Series:
The fight for the scraps today would be determined by the act of breaking the wishbone that lay 'neath the table. Stenzil's aggressive impatience resulted in a premature snap, thus forcing him to go hungry 'till another day. Goes to show...those who remain calm and calculated do not always end up with the short end of the stick.

I Spy

Just a figure study I made tonight for a future painting of the Greek figure Diana...

Diana (Artemis) was an ancient Italian goddess of woodland. In Capua and in Aricia, a locality near Rome, there are still shrines dedicated to the old Italian goddess. Diana was the twin sister of the god Apollo. Her father and mother were Jupiter and Latona.

Diana believed her body was very sacred, and so no man was to see her naked. One day a wandering hunter came across Diana bathing. When the hunter Actaeon accidentally came upon Diana while she was bathing, she turned him into a stag, whereupon his own hunting dogs attacked and tore him to pieces.

Goes to show -- next time you think about spying, make sure they are not a god of goddess.

Total: Part II

When your world is in total chaos, remember...it is all a matter of perspective.

I feel the dialogue in Lord of the Rings beautifully illustrates the challenges of life in a dark, dark world and 'though we cannot control what comes to us, we can control how we deal with that which does.

Frodo
"I wish the ring had never come to me . . . I wish none of this had happened."

Gandalf
"So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."

Total

Some say that they were "totally nuts", but the truth was -- they were really acorns, and well...they still hadn't lost their heads like their sunflower critics.

Wired

Definition (slang) of RAT:
A despicable person, especially one who betrays or informs upon associates.

Nobody likes a rat. Rats cannot be trusted, no matter how friendly and believable they may appear to be. Be careful of the company in which you keep and with whom you conduct business; for surely among that group, there exists a rat. Wired and tuned-in, this rat will do everything in his or her power to sell you out.

Making themselves look and feel good by corrupting your image is their game. If only everyone was secure with who they really are...

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"We are a nation of 'rats' and we all are bound by sin and suffering...so why deny anyone their identity."
Martin Scorsese / 'The Departed'

Hide (Part II)

The woods can be a scary place. This would look like a very comfortable hiding / resting place for a weary traveler in need of solace for the evening.

Hide

No other feathered creature in the great state of Pennsylvania is more elusive than the Wild Turkey. Their ability to hide from their many predators relies on their wisdom of the woods.

Communication

Talk is cheap.

Leonardo da Vinci always maintained that actions and body language spoke louder than words; that one's true communicacability manifests itself namely in their hands.

Observer and scientist that he was, he believed that the feelings of a character could be revealed through body movement as well as face and to this aim he advised artists to observe deaf mutes.

"Men of genius sometimes accomplish most when they work the least, for they are thinking out inventions and forming in their minds the perfect idea that they subsequently communicate and express with their hands."

- Leonardo da Vinci , In Education/Genius

Gravity

From the "Chronicles of Inanity":

Until now, the gravity of the situation had never been so clear to him. Committed to the same pursuit for 9 long years in a world of pure disillusionment, disappointment, and backstabbing, he finally decided to take his show on the road. Fields of golden butter no longer appealed to him; time to seek out and find something substantial – a place where people are secure with themselves, real, not so self-absorbed and, well….a bit appreciative of hard work.

Better days lie ahead...

Druck Valley

A recent pencil drawing that I made of my parents' back yard, looking down into the valley below.

Crash

As we entered the moon-lit forest, the intoxicating smell of pine sap wisped cooly past our noses. The sacred peace that radiated from the nearby babbling brook was shattered, as our presence disturbed a roost of slumbering turkeys. It was the "crash" of these creatures' wings against the pine branches that I remember most about that day, as they made every effort to elude our endangering presence.

Banded Apple

This is just a quick classroom demo that I felt like posting.

Sprout

Years of chasing that prized orange carrot across the land undoubtedly left its toll on him. As the journey led him to the edge of the what many considered the "Boundary", he thought nothing of danger and sprouted wings of faith to lead him in his great quest.

If the desire is great enough, one will do almost anything to get what they want. Desire has the power to defy not only gravity, but "reality" itself.

Red

“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”

Sun Tzu quotes (Chinese General and Author, b.500 BC)

*****

Much has been writ about the art of fighting battles and wars; but very little on the battles and struggles of art. Art is indeed a challenge that is too often overlooked by the weak of heart.

Superhero

Plagued by repeated failures from "heros" throughout the ages, Earth had all but relinquished all hope for survival. Evil permeated every fiber of the planet's core. It was finally time for divine intervention, for the heavens to give to Earth a super-hero, one whose powers would return the to the planet the peace that had for so long been prophesized about. This hero had truly been heaven-sent.

Eightees: 1789

The monarchy that so inequitably ruled France through the Enlightenment had finally come to an end. Maria Antoinnette, whose sharp tongue and bitter words rang throughout the poor streets of Paris like echoes in a dark sewer tunnel, had finally faced the wrath of the great Republic. The only sharp device near her today was that of the guillotine blade and the shears of the silver antique scissors that she once owned. It would be a mere fraction of a second until her tongue would be tasting the bitter brass bucket into which her fancy little head would fall.

Needless to say, the "eighties" were known for many fads and trends, but make no mistake -- it was the phenomenon referred to as the "guillotine" which may have made the most impression on future generations. It's always in style when you've got an autocratic queen to overthrow.

Buzz

Buzz Killers:
It would be a triffling challenge, but the swarm was desperate. After creating a make-shift connection using strands of mint dental floss, the swarm began what would be a daunting journey, hauling a heavy cup of the finest java back to their hive. It was this single act of bravery, strength, and faith that defined the entire swarm's work ethic and returned to them the buzz that had for so long been lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Phoenix

Life deals us difficult hands from time to time, some of which burn us very deeply. Although we cannot change that which affects us, we possess the power to decide how and to what extent we allow it affect us. Let us all look to this magical bird; for we all, at some point in time, must become the Phoenix, lifting ourselves from the pyre of ashes that surround us in order to see the world anew.

Historical and iconographical information about the "Phoenix":
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/p/phoenix.html

Peace

Like all things in life -- too much of one thing never ceases to dull the senses.

One must occasionally lick the bitter to taste the sweet, struggle through pain to experience the gain, walk through the valleys in order to stand on the top, wrestle through hate in order to love. So it is true that in order to gain full appreciation and actualization of this thing called peace, one must experience the horrors of war.

Help

Believe, when you are most unhappy, that there is something for you to do in the world. So long as you can sweeten another's pain, life is not in vain. -HK

Mask

The function of a mask is to conceal. Some of us use them as a smile to belie our bitter feelings towards our peers, others use masks as a wall of safety -- acting heroically despite feelings of diminuation and insignificance. Despite the specific functions of each mask, we all wear them...some of them are just more obvious than others.

Might

The inevitable presence of the oncoming enemy is growing with every step of his galant trod. As the shaft of a brand new arrow snaps successfully within the cradle of the awaiting crossbow, our warrior just might live to see another day on the battlefield.

Invention

Poor Toulouse tried to find love in all the wrong places. When he realized that it could not be bought, he made every attempt to invent a companion that not only supported his art, but gave him space amidst his neurotic yet brilliant episodes of creativity.

Thanksgiving

Time to relax, reflect, and fellowship with family and friends, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Like the bubbles in sparkling wine, each day of our lives is filled with color, flavor and blessing.

Clear

Clearing away acres of unadulterated natural habitat in our futile attempts of creating our own little "piece of heaven" to live upon, do you think any of us stop to question just how heavenly the end result will be?

Smoke: Part II

Chapter 9

Sick and tired of smoke being blown up their mortar crack time and time again, the rats decided that it was finally the time to administer a little justice of their own. "Isn't this fuse any longer?" Fasch asked, as his partner slowly eased the shaft into position.

"Okay...light her up" whispered Quincy. It would now be a matter of seconds until the queen would taste in a very large scale that which she had be dishing out in small quantities all these years.

Smoke

In any given evening in these hills, the intoxicating scent of smoke from a wood fire can be enjoyed by anyone travelling through.

Wind

No group more than the Native American Indians understood the importance of “wind”, in relation to their daily lives. It propelled their canoes, carried scent of their animals in the midst of a hunt, notified tribe-members of an emeny’s presence. It brought forth clouds that provided rain, sent smoke signals to neighboring tribes, and provided force through wind instruments, thus resulting in beautiful melody.

Ghost

I watched with glee while your kings and queens, fought for ten decades for the gods they made. I shouted out "Who killed the Kennedys?", when after all it was you and me. So let me please introduce myself, I am a man of wealth and taste. And I lay traps for troubadours, who get killed before they reach Bombay. Pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name, but what's puzzling you, is the nature of my game.
-Rolling Stones

Smitten

Love at first blight...although imperfect by themselves, they were so smitten with each other that their union was nearly flawless.

Trouble

As iron is eaten by rust, so are the envious consumed by envy.
-Antisthenes

So consumed by their bitter feelings towards the hares' incessant winning of the annual marathon, the turtles decided it was time to even the playing field. Envious justice, this day, was administered in the form carrots injected with C2 plastic explosives. Needless to say, this was to cause a great deal of trouble for the winners' post-game garden party later that day.

Quiet

There is nothing more magical than spending nightly hours in the thick of a pine forest. The quiet atmosphere is something to be experienced -- a passage of time too often neglected by us all in this most busy, broken and chaotic world.

Phobia

The titan, confident, skilled, and armed for any physical, earthly battle, was ill-equipped when it came to the arena of love. He suffered from a rare form of Malaxophobia, which prevented him from ever getting close to anyone for an extended amount of time. This "fear of love" hid an even deeper fear that someone just might actually gain an understanding of him -- something that he was simply not willing to offer.

Change

Come gather 'round people Wherever you roam,
And admit that the waters Around you have grown,
And accept it that soon you'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone,
For the times they are a-changin'.
-Bob Dylan

Farm

"All animals are created equal, but some are more equal than others."
-George Orwell (Animal Farm, 1945)

Safe

During the months of July and August, the loud, orchestral-like acoustics made the annual cicadas has a magical power, forcing me to vividly recall those hot summer nights as a child growing up in Pennsylvania -- laying in my safe bedroom and being sent off to sleep by the echoing melodies of this most interesting creature.

Although many are frightened of the cicada's rather imposing appearance, they should feel safe knowing that it poses no harm to humans. The loud buzzing sound is made only by the male, and is produced by vibrating internal structures within its drum-like abdomen. This insect lives safe under the ground, until it emerges to lay eggs on the ends of tree branches. Its main goal is to reproduce so that the life cycle continues.

Run

In her attempt to run from her pursuer, Daphne turns back, horror-stricken as she feels the hand of Apollo. She is unaware of the simultaneous transformation. Apollo, however, notices with amazement the transformation at the very moment when he seemed to be sure of his victim; but his body has not had the time to react and he is still chasing what he suddenly sees to be unatainable.

Match

Courtship among dragonflies can be a tumultuous, fiery process. Competition among males is extremely high and no-one more than the females bear the brunt of this heat. Swirling to and fro, submerging into the water, zig-zagging among the reeds, a female will make this "chase" a true challenge for her male counterpart. Here, the male clasps onto the female, keeping close guard of from fellow competitors during the process of egg-laying.

It is not uncommon for females to drown as a result of this conflagrate courtship.

Play

Those unwilling to risk moving from their safe little worlds run a great chance of failing.

The pleasure of risk is in the control needed to ride it with assurance so that what appears dangerous to the outsider is, to the participant, simply a matter of intelligence, skill, intuition, coordination - in a word, experience. Climbing, in particular, is a paradoxically intellectual pastime, but with this difference: you have to think with your body. Every move has to be worked out in terms of effort, balance and consequences. It is like playing chess with your body. If I make a mistake, the consequences are immediate, obvious, embarrassing and possibly painful. For a brief period, I am directly responsible for my actions. In that beautiful, silent world of the mountains, it seems to me worth a little risk.

Capture

As is usually the case in nature, the American White Pelican's beauty of form stems from roots of plain function. The pouched beak is designed exquisitely to capture: a 3-gallon pouch can easily hold a large fish, which will be amazingly guzzled whole.

Clean

Make one wrong move, he may scar your face. If you do not respect him, he will rip your arm clean-off!

Opposites

Fire and Ice

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To know that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

-Robert Frost

Sacrifice

This man sacrificed his life, unconditionally, for a large number of people who mocked, hated and doubted him -- so that "they" would experience a life of freedom and joy.

Today, we may sacrifice our morning tee time to partake in a neighborly deed. Not only do we view such an inconvenience as sacrificial, but we attach strings to it and strike another notch in our cross. After all, isn't life all about "us"? What's in it for us?

Skyline

The center star of Orion's belt suddenly took a heavenly descent. Streaking through the sky towards them, the townspeople knew that something very wicked was heading their way. What form this bearer of ill-tiding assumed, they knew not. However, the modest, intellectual leaders of this town knew that by ignoring its presence, the threat of danger would surely pass over their heads. Unfortunately for them, they were gravely mistaken.

Sticky

Desperately kicking and screaming, the Jolly Rancher avoided a sticky situation; managing to cut one of the ropes that tightly bound him to the burning stick frame. Although he was unaware that it is sacrilige for a cowboy to make fire in an Indian burial ground, the Suni tribe made sure that he wasn't about to forget it anytime soon.

Rain

Try though they may to shelter you, know that the best things come from taking risks and moving out from under the canopy of people's hopes and expectations.

"Why won't you run
in the rain and play
Let the tears splash all over you."
-Dave Matthews Band

Dance

Salmone's rhythmic movements were so captivating, mezmerizing and enchanting -- an act of passion that caused the great King to act irrationally. And let us not forget that the abandonment of reason sometimes costs dearly...this time it was someone's head.

Jungle

Big, tough, stacked and strapped -- if it the dense jungle you wish to enter, you must first outwit this beast of the vast plains.

Portrait (Port-Rat)

Exactly what was it that made this Port-Rat so popular? Was it her ledgendary status as an admiral amidst the torpid seas, her relentless refusal to divulge country secrets under torturous human subjugation, or her famous saying, "How dark D-Kon of man"? Whatever the reason, she attracted more spectators than any other -- all of which were determined to solve the enigmatic mystery that surrounded her ledgendary, iconic status.

Cake

Some thought it was "cake", but the sojourn through the black forest was so much more. These woods held more peril and potential for harm than anyone could possibly fathom. Caution all ye whose judgment is based on the superficial appearance of things, for there just may be more to things than meets the eye.

Sorry

It was nine o'clock when the fleet of fearless birds took flight among the foothills of Florence. The apology, signed by the Florentine arms dealer, Fiorentine Forrenzio, had all intentions of reaching its intended recipient -- the Duke of Milan. However, an unsuspecting faction of war-crazed barbarians intercepted this night journey, managing to rid the flock of the lone bird who carried the pithy paper -- the document which would have prevented the Thousand Year's War.

Angels and Devils

Amidst the dichotomy of good and evil in our known universe, let us not forget the only being who was both angel & demon. It was Lucifer, whose pride and jealousy earned him a "hot spot". Although he now delights in the art of seduction and tantalization, HE - more than anyone else - knows that his own fate is nothing more than eternal damnation in a hell that is hotter and more painful than any mortal could ever possibly imagine.

Fat

It was the ninth hour of the fifth day in the Battle of Swiss Isle. Jacques, although tattered from the fight, mustered enough strength to stake claim to the city's capital. Always driven by a seemingly endless spark of determination, he gathered the fat from his defeated enemies. Wine and cheese, what better way to celebrate a glorious victory.

Under the Sea

A parallel universe exists between that which lies above and beneath the great Sea. Although mankind has studied the immense diversity of life and design interred ‘neath the water, we have merely scratched the shallow surface with the blades of our superficial reason.

Robot

Leonardo in the 21st Century: Although many feel robots are a phenomenon wrought of our modern age, we need remind ourselves that it was the master (500 years ago) who forfeited his Florentine nationality in order to design lethal robots...machines that fascinated, astounded, and dumfounded strong armies...machines in the service of men through the art of WAR!

Spotted

You should have known better than to engage in a chess duel with Dr. Van Duggle. Although you think you know how to micro-manage pawns in a black-and-white world, it was only a matter of time until he spotted your weakness and capitalized on his opportunity to "check" your King.

Speed

The tortoise, although fully aware that his strength lies in his defense from the wild beasts that ravaged the land, wished that he too could make swift of himself like the others. Although we each possess distinct gifts and abilities, some of us will do anything in our attempts to "measure up".

Spring

Laying limply in a hot spring in the south hills of Tuscany, the Barbarian general had no clue that cupid - always waiting in the wings for a little mischief - was capitalizing on a golden opportunity. Little did Cupid know that it was HE who was playing the fool, as Pandorus sprung on this chance to steal a stiff arrow from the vulnerable quiver and shot it through the belt of Orion. The coarsing of this arrow created a cataclysmic cosmic event which many now call the vernal equinox -- the "coming of the Spring season". It was at this time that Cupid knew that his holiday was truly over, at least for another 10 months.

Monster

Has the Industrial Revolution and its consequences been a disaster for the human race or has its influence been a necessity for a better quality of life? No matter which side you may agree with, one thing is for sure -- its existence has led to the creation of a large number of monsters...monsters that society has yet to not only fathom, but contain.

Feet:Part II

Okay...here's a quick little skeletal study of...you guessed it..."feet". Couldn't resist throwing this classroom demo in...hot off the press.

Feet

The greatest hero of the Trojan War, responsible for conquering mighty Troy, had but one weakness. Unfortunately for Achilles, he was dipped into the liquid of immortality, held by his ankles -- the only part of his body susceptible to the woes of the earth. No other being knew better where this weakness lied than that of Paris, who offered the tattered warrior a private pedicure after Greece's most famous battle.

Tattoo

Patiently waiting for his captor to return, Cupid not only eluded his shackles, but fashioned a bow and one arrow out of the rotting tree stump from which he was bound. Knowing he had but only one opportunity to secure a successful escape, he fired a well placed shaft into the back of the heartless soldier. Into the empty sky flew Cupid, leaving nothing to the his captor but bewilderment and a well-crafted tattoo, carved into the lowly dying tree, that today, so ironically saved his life.

Insect: Part 2

After a long day at work, Sebastian entered the famous "Walnut Room" lounge, kicked back and lit up six of his finest cigars. Was his death the result of FEAR of the the fact that a termite inhabited a well-wooden room or JEALOUSY from the fact that someone could enjoy six specimens simultaneously? Whatever the reason, the bouncers were certain that he be removed from the high-browed lounge and tossed to the lowly cobblestone streets that so wickedly awaited his poor exoskeleton.

Insect

Magicicada septendecim, also known as the "Seventeen Year Cicada", is a true testament to the order, sequence and pure patience of mother nature. Every seventeen years, these creatures emerge from their encasements -- only to experience but a few days with their newly grown wings. Although most of them use this brief time to make love, some choose to wage war.

Tea

Cause of death: suicide...The raven, symbol of death became death today. The note stated that Haydn, upon accidentally eating the extremely poisonous GUIGIAN TEA LEAF, decided to hang himself. However, several factors led to a heightened suspicion amongst the flock about their friend's death. They authorized the famed surgeon, Dr. Esposito, to conduct an altopsy -- a procedure that may validate the uncertainty that Haydn's death just may have been a setup, the result of a jealous starling's attempt to rid the flock of their well loved, extremely talented leader.

Song

As a result of his inappropriate behavior in the Court of Orpheus, Cupid was ordered to pay pennance by repairing Apollo's beloved cello. Apollo, never dismissed for his love of the arts, was certain that nothing got in the way of his wine, women, and song.

Tired and tattered from the day’s battle on Tongue Creek, Tashunkewitko takes time to reflect upon the inherent potential that lies within the simple egg that has miraculously escaped destruction. He ponders the unnecessary complexity that humanity has not only allowed, but embraced.

Chair

Yours is the cloth, mine is the hand that sews time; his is the force that lies within.
-Led Zeppelin

Glamour

Glamour, that trans-human aura or power to attract imitation, is a kind of vessel into which dreams are poured, and some vessels are simply worthier than others... A beautiful woman can turn heads but real glamour has a deeper pull... Glamour [is] the power to rearrange people's emotions, which, in effect, is the power to control one's environment.

Arthur Miller

Cats

The first eight were challenging. It was numbers 9 and 10, however, who would present the most formidable obstacle for General Xavier’s success. Although this particular fight was a rather expensive event for the average Roman spectator, it was the very thing that would today cost “X” his life.

"E is for" ENRAGED...

Riddled by an onslought of deadly arrows, Captain Egon Metubuken became highly enraged with passion...a passion for revenge that is, against the machines that so cruely had invaded his land.

Sea

Amidst a tempestuous sea, Saint Michael spent the greater part of a millenium consummating revenge upon the elusive shark that so long ago robbed him of his first love.

Flavor

Dr. Overstreet knew that, although time had taken its toll on his aged body, it had lent much flavor to the Cabernet Sauvignon that dwelt in his wine cellar all these years.

Holiday

T'was time at last for the morose Saint Nicholas to lay to rest excess stress and partake in celebrating a rare 'holiday' of his own. The toils of the day made this moment all the more enjoyable, as he partook with relentless determination of a tall "Christmas Spirit" of his very own choosing.

Imagine

The quality of the imagination is to flow and not to freeze.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Surprise

Imagine the surprise when Mars discovered that his object of affection was not born from the castration of Cronus, but from within the skin of a ripe, red plum grown on the shores of Naxos.

Blue

From the "Blueberry Battle Epics III": Capt. Corvello makes a desperate stab at Merkuquois Gado during the battle of St Vincent Mountain.

Small

Some of the biggest things come in small packages. Here's to "unrealized potential" found in the most seemingly insignificant objects.

Cupid's Stray Arrow

Some stray arrows create opportunities for others...'tis the freedom that govern's this universe.

What does not kill you makes you stronger.