Bugs Paintings: Mixing Art and Science

Have you ever thought of using bugs as living moving brushes? Los Angeles painter Stephen R. Kutcher did! He employs different insects, such as flies, cockroaches and beetles, to create "wild" paintings, by dipping the bugs’ legs in the paint and releasing them on canvas to scratch out their masterpieces.

Kutcher ensures his paint-soaked bugs are unharmed by the ordeal. "I use water-based, nontoxic paints that easily wash off" - he explains - "I have to take good care of them. After all, they are artists!"

The synthesis of scientific and artistic approaches, using living insects and watercolor, creates charming natural art. The result, in fact, gives the viewer both scientific and artistic insight into movement and direction. It makes visible something that is usually invisible; the insects’ pattern of motion…look at the perfect circle in the picture above!

“I hope people will look at these works and see the duality of art and science" - Kutchers says - "Each insect is writing a page in its life, and every painting is a new discovery".

Source: The Washington Post