holly crypt

I've been learning about fallen leaves. Many of you may know that fallen leaves are used by many moth and butterfly species to hibernate through the winter. This, my friends, is only the very beginning of the leaf layer's importance.

The layer of fallen leaves that covers the ground in winter has the following functions (and more):

Keeping the soil temperature more consistent

Insulating the earliest spring flowers to stop them from freezing

Protecting plants late in the year from being killed by early frosts

Sheltering 94% of moth species during their winter hibernation as well as many butterflies and other insects

Fertilizing and enriching the soil. The nutrients in fallen leaves are the main source of soil nutrients in habitats worldwide. Streams and rivers in forests carry the nutrients of leaves far and wide.

Providing habitat for predators like salamanders and spiders.

Suppressing weed growth.

Improving the germination of tree seeds (e.g. acorns)

Attracting beneficial microbes

Increasing the water holding capacity of the soil

Providing a food source for birds to feed their babies on in the spring (insects)

• sensitive senses like hearing and sight

• has unchanging eating habits

• feels alienated from the world

• pain when encountering direct sunlight

it's nigh on impossible to make toothbrushes sound exciting but i'll tell you what, they're a joy to take pictures of

these are made with sustainably grown bamboo and biodegradable nylon bristles, designed by me and laser engraved by the wonderful clear cut creation

all 3 of these pieces were made during the summer solstice of 2022. it was a long day of creating art, mostly on stream.

this was also my first time using round frames and cutting the paper to size. i made sure that in all of these pieces there wasn't a single black line, the darkest colour i used was a slate grey posca marker on the hand, and all of the colours used on these pieces had a consistent theme.

that skull is a definite favourite from this year. i'd love to make more circular and oval pieces but the frames are roughly 3x what i usually pay for the standard ones so i think i need to be selective with what i use them for.

Witches Sabbath

Hand embroidery on cotton. Inspired by Francisco Goya's 1798 painting