Artist Statement: 

For my fifth sustained investigation, I chose to delve into the detrimental impact humans have on honey bees. The peril they face from potent pesticides and environmental changes is depicted with a poignant image of a deceased bee at the page's bottom. In my artwork, I meticulously portrayed the contrast between thriving bees and the hazards they encounter. I etched out vibrant flowers (cherry blossoms) to symbolize what sustains bees, while behind the lifeless bee, I illustrated the various threats they face. This resonates deeply with me, as my own gardens have witnessed a decline in bee populations each summer.

For this project, I began by sketching out an idea in pencil on a piece of scratchboard. I decided to use scratchboard in order to detail the texture of honey bees, such as their hairs, and their wings. I used an assortment of scratchboard tools to get different variations of lines and patterns. Finally, I went over the white with yellow ink to add emphasis and color on the bees, as well as pink ink on the cherry blossom flowers. 

Navigating the unfamiliar territory of scratchboard, a medium I hadn't used since my freshman year, involved pencil sketches and extensive practice with lines, cross-hatching, and shading. Aiming for realism, I also researched bee images before scratching.