Fireflies
gouache & graphite on paper 
30” x 22”
 
 
March, 2012. I came across an article on fireflies and read that, in some species, firelfies flash in unison. In others, a female positions herself in grasses, flashing her unique design in response to males whose specific patterns of flashes she likes, engaging in twinkling "conversations."  This made me think about language and social actions as constructs of rhythm and time. I decided to paint myself a firefly, a visual abstraction of lights that produces its own patterned language. The piece is about attraction and conversation, how we engage either in groups or individually with others. It reminds me that I carry many beats, some that sync in unison with larger groups, others that perform more intimately with select individuals.