The Artist's Blog
Damselsquad
Damselsquad
Every summer, next to my studio in Tuscany, the cool waters of the Ciuffenna River bring us more than relief from the stifling heat - they bring a host of magnificent water creatures, both great and small. One of the most fascinating is the damselfly, or in Italian damigella.
Photo by Charles J Sharp sharpphotography
For a few weeks in July the river creates a magical setting for a Tuscan variation of the species, the banded demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens). Water cascades constantly from the waterfall next to our home, but it is in the eddies and pools below that the banded demoiselle makes his home.
The demoiselle larvae spend two years in the water, as nymphs overwintering in mud. They emerge every July for two weeks as adults to find mates and reproduce. Splendid indeed! This turquoise jewel of an insect is the male of the species with banded wings - the female’s wings are transparent. It is breathtaking to see their movements as they flutter, hover and dance about in a brilliant display.
The male damselfly will spend the fourteen days of his adult life endeavouring to claim his little patch of the river’s coastline to mate.
With a quiet patience and in silent awe I've been able to witness this wonder of insect aerial acrobatics. The male demoiselle will patiently wait on his branch or stone, calmly clapping his wings and determined not to leave his perch. He will steadfastly hold his ground ignoring distraction as he is pestered by his rival males. The sight is a marvel of nature, as the dappled summer sunshine reflects off the wings with a glint and glimmer of turquoise light.
The dance of the damselflies continues for two weeks and then is over until the next year, when the squad of beauties returns to re-enact one of the tiny marvels of Nature once again.
“Damselsquad” in progress.
In painting the “Damselsquad", I was inspired by images of the Stream-Glory Damselfly - Neurobasis chinensis. I wanted to study the shape and symmetry in four of these incredibly delicate yet powerful flying creatures. I have never painted anything quite like the ethereal glass like structures of their wings. What I found so interesting was how challenging it is to paint something so ethereal and barely there. As with water and waterdrops, I am actually painting the way that light is reflected by this gossamer bit of wing.
How wonderful, that after all these years of painting I can be challenged by a new subject! My research and admiration of these insects will continue as I investigate more about the damselfly family in my painting.
I look so forward to their emergence again next year.
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