Scarab Beetle - Open Edition

The ongoing Bejeweled series was created as a point of reflection.

The Scarab beetle is a symbol of rebirth, resurrection, transformation and growth. Like the scarab, you can still shine like you did before you got dumped on and buried. You have intrinsic value in this world. And believe it or not, it’s possible to transform your pain into something beautiful that might help others. You have value. Don't let anyone make you feel small and worthless, because you're not. You're supposed to be here.

The originals in this series have been created with a combination of traditional Golden and Arteza acrylics as well as the relatively new Interference acrylics, also by Golden. The color-changing nature of these paints presented a challenge for the foundry, but the prints turned out great!

I was in the midst of my divorce after years of emotional and mental abuse, with my body in an almost constant state of survival mode. My value and other contributions were neither seen, nor appreciated. I was not allowed to have interests, opinions, ideas or hobbies of my own. My immune system began attacking itself from the chronic stress, despite regular exercise and eating nourishing foods. I fell into a dark pit of depression and was tired of being looked at like an insect. And then I thought, ‘Wait a minute.. God creates insects, and each one is beneficial in their own way. When someone really looks closely, one discovers a whole fanciful, vibrant, terrifyingly beautiful world that we as humans so often take for granted. Or worse yet, we are even outright discussed because we’ve never actually taken the time to see them for what they really are.’