Funeral for a Bug Friend — Speed Post: 6 of 12

In the midst of the Bug Party's cake and presents, confetti and balloons, dancing and live music, lies a regal spider wasp on its memorial bed. Is the party a happy occasion or one of loss? Is there a newly transformed tiny moth waiting to fly its first flight waiting inside that wrapped gift on the left? (yes) Is the nightly gathering of insects in the yard a celebration or a wake? (yes)

I've always loved this image of a deceased Tranantula Hawk Spider Wasp with its saffron-colored translucent wings like jewels. I gathered silks and fibers in that color and laminated them with gloss until they dried hard enough to be cut out into wings. The body was sculpted in clay and covered with royal tapestry brocade ribbon, painted over with complex aqua inks and glue. Legs made of black-painted twigs, a noble paper ruff at her neck, a small copper bejeweled crown atop her head (click to zoom top photo to see those).