#JuneBugJLG series, all done!

Yay!  My June series is complete and all of the images are posted to my Gallery and FB page. Overall I am happy with how the series came out but I did want to make a few notes because I feel like the series may not look as cohesive as some of my previous themes.

My excuse?  Ummm...I don't have one...I was kinda playin' and feelin' all summer-breakish...does that count?

Okay, so here is the overall series together; 

Sometimes it is easier than others to begin a new series.  This series was kinda tough at first.

I had just finished my #MythicalMayJLG series, which was more detailed drawings on toned paper.  I had to do some research for each image, too so I think that is why I wanted to 'loosen up' for my June series. (that, and also the fact that I wanted to celebrate the start of my summer vacation!) and it may seem weird but that idea of going with a less detailed style made it harder.  

In my mind what I wanted to create were sketch-like pieces- black lines painted with bits of color and then allowing the white of the page to come through.  Oh, and of course some kind of bug reference.  I think originally I intended to branch out and explore different bugs...but in the end it was lady bugs, bumble bees, one june bug and butterflies...always butterflies!

So I began the first pieces...with the idea of a whimsical lady bug gal.  I don't usually show the whole body in my daily pieces, so I did for these first five in the series.  If you are familliar with my #AngelDropART gals then you can see where I am starting to head in that direct on the 5th piece;

Next up...I gave in and went with my inclination to create some ladies in the style of my angels...and I also gave in to the call of the monarch butterfly motif.  I forgot to take a final pic of the middle gal, she was created at the request of my art friend, Kianga.  I ended up giving that one to her, so I wasn't too worried about not having the final pic.

I started focusing more on the girls from the shoulders up, keeping the monarch butterfly theme.  The piece on the far right (below) may seem out of place, but that one was created in the colors of the rainbow in memory of those who died at Pulse Night Club, since I created that one on the anniversary of the shooting :(

And then it was a bumble bee invasion!  I realized I was adding too much color to the pieces than I had originally intended, so I made an effort to pull back and have the work read a little more free...but by the end of this little group I got heavy handed again...something about that red hair, I couldn't help myself!

...and then, randomly enough I reckon...I went back to showing the full body.  I know that this change was related to prepping for and teaching my Fashion Camp at the Armory.  I can't be around anything related to fashion without getting inspired...so I just went with it!

And then...well, it was back to the monarch butterflies, but still working with the idea of a fashion illustration-inspired piece, all my original designs by the way!  

The final image in the series, shown larger (below) on the far right was in response to something that happened that made me think about women becoming stronger when they build each other up rather than tear each other down.  

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...and that my friends is my explanation behind what kinda seems like randomness in this particular series.

Now...on to July!

​Wait...it IS July!  Yikes!!!!