"PARASITE" Finished Painting

Hi everyone, 

Here's the finished version of the second painting I created for the "Fiends of the Dark" show, "PARASITE". 

This is probably my favourite of the 2, although I really like them both.
This one was also painted mostly in acrylic, but with gouache for the bright whites, such as the flower. 

WHAT THIS PIECE MEANS TO ME

PARASITE explores very similar themes to REEF, but with a bigger emphasis on death and its purpose as a fuel for life and beauty. I echoed the imagery of Reef by using butterflies once again, this time referencing the fact that butterflies eat nectar as often as they feed on dead bodies and rotting things. 

Parasite is as much about the relationship between different forms of life, as it is about the relationship we can have with ourselves, and how the line between what is good and what isn't doesn't truly exist. Most things reside in between both ends of the spectrum, and questioning that positioning is an important part of growth, and what makes us who we are as individuals. 

Beauty can come from terrible things, and it can be very strange to acknowledge the existence of beauty in tragedy, pain, and darkness, but it can also be very important to do so, as refusing to accept that all is not clearly defined along a diving line, can help us accept that that is what makes up life. 

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This piece will be the print for April for $20 and above patrons, as I already have another painting lined up for March.
I will be sending out the January/February rewards this week, and the March/April rewards in April. 

I have taken regular pictures of both the pieces for the show, so I should be able to put together a Process PDF for each, and I have also filmed the painting process so I will be able to upload timelapses.
I am unsure as to whether I will make a Youtube video of those pieces, but you guys will definitely get a timelapse. 

I hope you guys are all ok, thanks for the love on Reef, I am so glad you like it!

The UK is now in lockdown, which feels surreal, although it was obviously coming, and it couldn't be too soon in my opinion. 

I was on the phone with my family in France the other day, and they were telling me about the fact that they have to use a permission slip to go out, and how it is due  in part to people abusing the system, and literally taking their rabbits out on a walk as an excuse to go out, among other things. 

Made me chuckle, so I thought I'd share that with you. :)

For me, not much has changed to be completely honest. I am still working as usual, and since I was a hermit before, this has just made me a super hermit.
The anxiety is obviously somewhat worse, but I have always had anxiety, so all in all, this is simply a more intense version of my usual routine, haha.
Focusing is harder, but painting and drawing are such a wonderful distraction from everything else, that I have found myself being extra grateful to be able to it as a job, because it has helped me tremendously with dealing with everything.
Right now, making art is a very welcome haven and release. 

How is it all going in your respective countries? Are you all ok? How have you been impacted by everything? 

I hope you are all well, sending you all tons of love, 

M