wasp in the studio

I spend the entire morning in the studio before hearing something I think is a bird, pecking at the window.

The sound comes and goes. I look up several times, see nothing and return to my work. It’s rare but for whatever reason, I’m in a very quiet studio this morning, except for this occasional distraction.

Finally, I see it! A very LARGE WASP, perhaps trying to make its way out of the studio! it’s loud and it’s BIG!

Right then, Eddie calls.
There’s a huge wasp at the studio window, I say loudly. How do I get it out!
Calmly, he tells me to open the door.
It’s nowhere near the door! It’s by my drawing table! I can’t go open the window, it’s a ginormous wasp! It’s so big, it might be a hornet!
Again, with a continued ease, Go to the window, don’t look at it. Do what you have to do. Open the window, remove the screen and let it fly out. Close your eyes, if you have to.

I don’t believe what I am hearing. I can’t remove the screen! Don’t open my eyes! WTH!!

Long story short (hours later), I manage to open the window and watch the giant wasp exit. It takes its big ole, sort of cool-wasp-self, and flies out the now, unscreened window.

I haven’t worked insect anatomy in a good long while. I have a panel. Oh, why not!?

I lay in the usual area map that places the subject into the location where we meet. Though not exactly setting it into the right area this time, as I don’t want it to find its way back!

The work starts out dark and menacing. Once I organize and paint in the creature’s anatomy, the whole picture changes.

I don’t know how to feel about it. It doesn’t resemble what I saw or how I was feeling.
#ControlAtItsFinest  #ItWasFrickingBig

…colorín colorado, este cuento se ha acabado…

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©2022 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY MONICA AISSA MARTINEZ

no woman is an island

I could have titled this post: The Mud Dauber, at the Wedding Party.

The doorbell rings.

Sergio, the new neighbor, stands in my front patio holding a plastic cup. Sergio is newly wed (only a few days newly wed at this point). He and his wife Terrah, recently move on to our street.

Look! We found this at our reception! He says with excitement. I look into the cup and see a wasp of some sort. Do you know I paint bugs? Yes! That’s why I am bringing him to you.
We’d like to commission a small painting! 

It’s beautiful, I tell him.  Do you know what it is? He responds, No, that’s your job! 

I plan to research and identify the small, thin-waisted, golden-yellow and warm-black wasp. I understand bright colors signify a more aggressive species…well let’s see what I discover.

Yes, this wasp can be aggressive, but usually only when provoked. I learn a few other surprising things.

It’s a Mud Dauber from the Hymenoptera order. Derived from Ancient Greek hymen means membrane and pteron is wing. They have two pairs of thin, often see through, membranous wings. The hind wings connect to the fore wings by a series of hooks, considered married wings in flight. Note: Hymen, also Ancient Greek, is the god of marriage ceremonies, inspiring feasts and songs.

Two other features are their chewing mouth parts and large compound eyes. These wasps build their nests from mud (hence mud dauber). Did I mention Sergio and Terrah bought a newly remodeled house. He didn’t care for the layout of the yard(s). They are in the process of redesigning and completing as much of the work possible, on their own.

The symbolism of the wasp (happy to report):
Communication
Focus
Order
Productivity
Progress
Team work
Construction
New start
New goals
New doors

You probably couldn’t find a more appropriate symbol representing new beginnings, on your wedding day –  congratulations Sergio and Terrah!

And thanks! for the commission.

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The blog posts titled No Woman is an Island acknowledge the people and/or organizations who support me and the work I do.

no woman is an island

Yesterday I spend the day carefully packing 2 works. Finally, both Tarantula Wasp and Praying Mantis will be making their way to Missouri.

Once upon a time (last Spring to be exact) I had work hanging at ASU.
Krystal connected in March…

My mother is on vacation from Minnesota and texted me some of your images at ASU. I love them. I love bugs and bats and anatomy and maps and you have put them all together in the most beautiful way.

A week later another email from Krystal…

Interestingly enough, my step daughter was also at ASU this week visiting her boyfriend, and she sent pictures of your work to my husband so he could show me. He was in Colorado and came back last night, so we were having coffee this morning and I said “oh, I have to show you these pictures my mom sent you of this artist in Arizona” and I showed him the first picture and he picked up his phone and showed me the same piece of artwork on his phone. So two people we are related to, from different parts of the country, both traveled to ASU in the same week and sent us the same photos, because your artwork made them think of me.

What are the odds of this happening!?

Soon another email…

I would like to purchase the Tarantula Wasp and the Praying Mantis. I love them both, I love their predatory nature. I had never heard of a tarantula wasp, but they are amazing. Have you heard of a cicada killer?

No I’ve never heard of a cicada killer. I look it up and learn it is as creepy as the tarantula wasp!

While the wasp is already scheduled to show to June, in April an opportunity presents itself to show the mantis (to September). Krystal agrees to wait for both.

The next email (cracks me up)…

I hate to wait for the praying mantis, but I have always wanted to have a piece on loan with my name on it. So if you will send me a photo of it with the tag, then I will suck it up and wait.

…and you did Krystal.

Synopsis: No Woman is an Island.
2 bugs, 2 art venues, 2 museum visits, 3 seasons, 3 states, a mother, a step daughter, a boyfriend, a husband and wife and a cup of coffee… #gottahaveart

Thanks again Krystal. And thanks for letting me share our correspondence. It is a good story. Enjoy the insects! They’ll be arriving soon.

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The blog posts titled No Woman is an Island acknowledge the people and/or organizations who support me and the work I do.