This botanical illustration shows the sharp buttercup (Ranunculus acris) in full splendour, accompanied by the rare ranunculus bee (Chelostoma florisomne).
In subtle light, against a deep black background, this work of art hovers between science and poetry. The buttercup unfolds its bright yellow petals like a light source in the darkness, while the delicate foliage disintegrates hand-shaped into graceful lobes. A delicate root structure springs up at the base of the stem - the earthy foundation of this heavenly bloom.
The Chelostoma florisomne, with its velvety black body and silvery white hair bands, is captured in flight, attracted to its favourite nectar source. This solitary bee lives almost exclusively on ranunculaceous plants, with a pronounced preference for buttercups. Its specialised lifestyle makes it an important indicator of ecologically healthy grasslands.
In natural calm and precise imagination, this work is an ode to the fragile relationships between plant and insect, evolution and survival.
Created by Bert Quaedvlieg with support from AI.
And then you have a sizeable photo archive after many decades of photographing, but yes what do you do with it? I edit the images in photoshop into digital paintings. I have a lot of fun doing that and exhibit them here, so maybe I can do.. Read more…