Christmas Bells

Christmas Bells
Christmas Bells - Blandfordia nobilis

Sunday, June 06, 2010

Moth Art

I have been fascinated with the natural beauty (subtle beauty) of the Swift Moths which have been coming to my lights this cool wet autumn and winter season.

This one in particular really struck me with its patterns, almost like Egyptian hieroglyphics to my eyes.I showed this Moth image to my friend Steve, who has been coaching me in the techniques of Photoshop recently, and he showed me how to try to create a "wallpaper design" from the Moth's wing pattern. That is what I have done here.
Having done that, Steve then showed me how to alter the colour balance and to experiment with different lighting effects.

Some were positively weird, but strikingly reminiscent of Aboriginal Art designs and colours.

However, for tonight's posting I have selected two modest variations on the theme.

One reminds me of some pink and caramel lollies I used get as a child.
Ironically, when I went looking for an image of such a "Lolly" I came across yet another natural design in similar colours - a "Pink Panther Caramel Albino Viper". Too weird to be true? Nope. Have a look.

This image is adjusted to bring out the natural beauty of the grey tones in the pattern. Shades of a pale-coloured Tortoiseshell Cat, don't you think?
Nature continues to play with variations on a theme, and we are programmed to see beauty in her variations.

14 comments:

Wilma said...

Lovely moth. The wall paper is fabulous. But I think I prefer it in the natural colors; it's hard to beat the richness and sheen of the copper.

mick said...

Beautiful pattern on the moth and very interesting photoshop work!

Denis Wilson said...

Thanks Mick and Wilma.
It is beautiful as the natural colour, I agree.
But it is quite fascinating seeing how the patterns appear to change, depending upon which colours one emphasises.
Cheers
Denis

ValeriaVine said...

Love your work Denis! Moths are wonderful creatures of the night.

Denis Wilson said...

Thanks Valeria Vine.
Sorry I missed your Art opening tonight - stuck for transport, out at Cloud Farm, and not enough room in the car to get back in.
I liked what I saw this morning, especially the little blue image.
Shame it was not for sale.
Cheers
Denis

Less V said...

Very nice sharp focus as usual, with beautiful colours in all the moth images. Can see you doing a 'Toni' with such images soon in Photoshop. Cheers.

Denis Wilson said...

Thanks Les.
I was hoping to hear from you or Toni.
Not sure Toni would want me "doing a Toni".
To be honest, I had her excellent work in mind when doing this one.
Pls give her my regards.
Cheers
Denis

Brigid said...

Denis, the other night on 7.30 report there was a report of a recently discovered art find in the Jawoyn country in Kakadu (that's the Katherine end.) Even on TV you could see how magnificent it was and some of the stuff was of the same paletter as your moth. Wonderful.

Blessings and bliss

Denis Wilson said...

Thanks Brigid
The influence of nature on Aboriginal art is really obvious when one starts to play with natural images, as I was. You sit there saying - "well I can see where they were coming from".
The item Brigid was referring to may be found in this story on Rock Art of the Jawoyn People
I had not seen that report, but had heard some reports.
Thanks for telling me about it.
Cheers
Denis

Anonymous said...

nature's got so cool patterns! that moth's one is very special.

Denis Wilson said...

Hi Dreamfalcon.
Cool patterns - very true.
Nice to have you visit my Blog.
Cheers
Denis

captain ferno said...

how beautiful denis

so glad we did that work together

X

captain ferno said...

how beautiful denis

so glad we did that work together

X

Denis Wilson said...

Hi Steve

Thanks. So am I.
Turns out to be somewhat prescient, in view of the recent award by SA Museum.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151023819469350&set=a.478260209349.266257.66685764349&type=1&theater