One of my interests is illustration. I don’t have a favourite topic but have experimented with different media for my work, for example, pencil; oil, china and water colour paints; chalk and charcoal, along with digital apps. There are so many creative avenues to choose from. Here is a simple drawing of a bee I completed with Adobe Illustrator a year or so ago.
Bee populations are challenged by many impacts such as habitat destruction and vegetation clearance, which reduces the number of flowering plants available for pollination and food for foraging bees; the use of pesticides that are not selective when it comes to insects; the environmental effects of climate change; and the silent killers of bees, pathogens like fungi, parasitic mites, bacteria, and viruses. Apparently a third of our diet comes from the work of bees and apart from being instrumental in the productivity of agricultural crops for food – nuts, fruit, and vegetables; bees also generate honey, wax, royal jelly, and bee venom. The venom from bees is used in the development of treatments for arthritis, pain, inflammation, and skin health. Over many centuries, honey has been recognised for its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It is known the application of honey speeds the recovery of wounds, assists with digestion, contributes to brain health, is a rich source of antioxidants, and helps people recover from a cough or sore throat. Despite being small, bees are giants when it comes to the pollination game and creative inspiration. I can’t imagine life without flowers, honey or bees and watching them dance around the garden 🐝🌺🍯 Join me for musings about art & all kinds of creative adventures on #ArtThursday via #saltywave @saltywave
📚 “Viral impacts on honey bee populations: A review” https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.10.037
📚 “7 Unique Health Benefits of Honey” https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/top-raw-honey-benefits
