Inordinate fondness for beetles

I Finally purchased one of my favorite books! It's called "An Inordinate Fondness for Beetles," and I have wanted it for a LONG time.  There is another beetle book I've also wanted but it is a tad more than I can afford (right now.) One of the many reasons I like this book is the title alone. This is a quote from the first paragraph--

"Asked what could be inferred about the work of the Creator from a study of his works, the British scientist J.B. S. Haldane is reported to have replied, 'an inordinate fondness for beetles....'"

Just so awesome to think about God's taste. How very delicate, unique, colorful and amazing each creature is on this earth, down to the very smallest and simple. Or maybe not so simple. This book is filled with gorgeous info and pictures of beetles...and so of course, I was quite anxious to get sketching. I want to do a series of beetle drawings, all about 4x6 inches...so keep your eyes peeled for lots of 6 legged creatures to come.

On a creative note- I know it may seem repetitive to see me drawing bugs and birds all the time, but They keep my mind going. It's just a subject I have passion for. I think everyone needs to find that fuel. I also like to draw old typewriters, and fans, bottles and retro housewares. Of course, I always go back to the bugs and birds. So, please don't get sick of all my little creatures, I promise to throw some other subject matter in here once in a while too. =)

What fuels your passion?

Comments

[bubi]

Hello, i found ur blog from dailywebthing, and your work are so nice. I like drawing too, and always interest in what kind of tools other illustrator use, do u mind to let me know what pen and ink u use for drawing beetle?

thanks, keep up the great work!

[Jason Santa Maria]

Niff (and Sutter), draw whatever the hell you want, this is your site. I don't come here to see things I want you to draw, I come here to see what you want to draw. With that said, your beetles are really damn nice, although it might be cool to see a giant one on a rampage and attacking a city of people. Books inspire me. Reading them, looking for them in old second hand stores. I've always enjoyed how they are such a time capsule.

[Rob Weychert]

Don't listen to Stan. I come here to see drawings of muscular men using power tools (which, since you asked, is what inspires me), and so far I've been very disappointed. So get cracking or expect to lose your audience (or at least the part that is comprised of me and my constituents).

[Jason Santa Maria]

Meaning Rob and a bunch of empty cereal bowls.

[Nathan]

That looks good enough to eat.

Do you ever draw butterflies or moths ? They are hard to spot but there are large moths that sometimes rest on my garage doors. The ones that look like they have large blue eyes on each wing.

[ian]

That's the Luna Moth. Quite a spectacular specimen.

[niff]

Bubi--thanks for stoppin' by. I use Windsor and Newton inks, because they are the best! everyone knows I'm a snob when it comes to my ink.

Stan--that is pretty awesome that you look at old books.

Rob--Stan got you GOOD! ha.

Nat--I usually don't go for butterflies because I think they seem a bit "girly" or something. I will look into moths more though. I know they get really big down south, here in Baltimore the biggest they get is a quarter inch.

[Nathan]

Girly ?

We can always bring a "point of view" to subject matter.

Van Gogh painted flower arrangements but as brightly colored as those paintings were....

Butterflies represent frailty and mortality, but most of all they showcase incredible design. Moths too.

[rachael]

I like frail beauty and looking for small intricate details on big, heavy objects- and books. I once did a series of drawings and paintings on paper from found books- things that I found in the garbage, at thrift stores, etc- old, yellowing, illustrated, foreign, all sizes. The patterns were enough to help compositions and the words allowed me to add a new dimension to my pieces.

As for being girly- it's not a bad thing at all. It has this negative rep, but being girly in what you do and being proud of it is almost shocking and definitely refreshing. In art school, everyone wanted to be aggressive or imposing or loud, but when it comes down to it, quiet, unassuming, delicate power speaks much more loudly... It's in this way that an Alice Martin painting can be next to a Julien Schnabel and not be lost.

[niff]

I want you all to know, that I didn't mean "girly" as a bad thing!! Or that I am against girly at all...I embrace "girlyness" completely and I love it. I just meant that, I wanted to find that same frailty and beauty Racheal is talking about, but in bugs. Let people stop and realize that beauty. because most people wouldn't think of beetles or scary spiders as something delicate. but everyone knows butterflies are beautiful.

Also, good points.

[bubi]

thanks niff, have a nice day!

[Mike]

Inordinate Fondness for Beetles? That book rocks. I've checked it out from my library several times. I'll probably buy it one of these days.

I'm all about beetles and deep sea fish...they seem like they are from outer space.

[Paul Astuyauri]

Very good illustrations, I am a student of arts and the truth your works are exelente ... luck