Black and Blue

The four species represented here are Dark Blue Tiger Butterfly (Tirumala Septentrionis) on a Baby Blue Eyes Plant (Nemophila menziesii) and a Northern Black Widow spider (Latrodectus variolus) on a Black Trumpet mushroom (Craterellus cornucopioides)
Made entirely of glass, 104 COE range, with the exception of the bowl and a small amount of internal wire. No paint, glue, fusing or post torch enameling was used and all elements went into a torch as a final step before being placed in composition. Butterfly is removable and has movable wings.
While species are intended to be realistic, composition is based on aesthetic and personal choice as none of these species would naturally interact. My process generally follows as closely as is practical to what I know about the Blaschka's methods(other than post torch processing, e.g. paint, glue, hide, etc.) including using extensively blown and manipulated thin, soft, glass in layers of varying fusibility with applied and torch fired detail work, as well as integrated wire of varying weights and composition. For some of the most delicate detail work i use a self constructed liquid fuel burner(alcohol/air) modeled after the those common to that region and time period. I am an avid naturalist and mushroom hunter so i draw my inspiration from my many hours of hiking and research, all of these particular species are personal favorites for various reasons.

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