Growing up, there were two subjects that I had (and still do have) a lot of interest in: the natural environment and rhinoceros beetles. Despite modernity and progression towards the discovery of our universe, I still find beauty in the untouched areas of our natural environment, beauty that I personally believe we won’t (or at the very least not soon) find anywhere else in the universe. The rhino beetle currently has the reputation of helping with the destruction of the environment, but there are hundreds of different species and each are a natural part of their respective environments and are unique in shape, color, and size. I too find beauty in their uniqueness, and I also find it fascinating that to them, with their size and short lifespans, the natural environment is the universe. As a child, I’ve always imagined how we would see the world if we were their size.

 

Through semi-surrealistic acrylic paintings, I want to highlight the beauties of nature and the uniqueness of the rhino beetle. Depicting landscapes that have no trace of human activity highlights the environment’s natural way of creating beauty. Choosing the more unique looking species of rhino beetles within the landscapes show their individual beauty and that they are more than just pests. By depicting humans in the size of the rhino beetle, we are placed in the position of the rhino beetle and we may see nature the way they see it. This is all done in the hopes of finding more appreciation for the beautiful natural environment that we ignore and take for granted.