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Posts by shel

A cluster of skunk cabbage emerging from the early spring forest floor, framed by moss, dead leaves, and trees in the background.

A cluster of skunk cabbage emerging from the early spring forest floor, framed by moss, dead leaves, and trees in the background.

Went out into a new section of forest today and found a plant I hadn’t seen before, growing all around the creek. My phone says it’s called skunk cabbage.

1 week ago 61 5 4 1
Trompe L'oeil felt bowl of soup with Pak choi, bamboo, mushrooms chili and noodles on a turmeric coloured base. The spring onions spell out "soup bitch" a reference to ofmd. The bowl is red and gold and I am holding it in my left hand against a napkin with a ramen spoon in shot

Trompe L'oeil felt bowl of soup with Pak choi, bamboo, mushrooms chili and noodles on a turmeric coloured base. The spring onions spell out "soup bitch" a reference to ofmd. The bowl is red and gold and I am holding it in my left hand against a napkin with a ramen spoon in shot

Trompe L'oeil felt bowl of soup with egg, seafood, mushrooms seaweed and noodles on a turmeric coloured base. The spring onions spell out "tender as hell" a reference to ofmd. The bowl is blue and laid against a chequered background with a ramen spoon and napkin in shot

Trompe L'oeil felt bowl of soup with egg, seafood, mushrooms seaweed and noodles on a turmeric coloured base. The spring onions spell out "tender as hell" a reference to ofmd. The bowl is blue and laid against a chequered background with a ramen spoon and napkin in shot

#repostyourart day 12 is cozy, and what's cosier than soup?

1 week ago 40 6 1 0
Winds and dusk

Winds and dusk

‘Winds at Dusk’ Original Canvas, 60 x 60cm. Available here:
madeinstirlingstore.com/shop/when-be...

Part of my ‘When Beasts Spoke’ illustrated art book
www.charlottestrawbridge.co.uk/product-page...

#WhenBeastsSpoke Exhibition runs till 10th May at Made in Stirling

1 week ago 21 6 1 1
Encircled in Light - Te Mata Peak, Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

Encircled in Light - Te Mata Peak, Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

Last week on Te Mata Peak — and a reminder of why I love calling Hawke's Bay, New Zealand home. 🌿

Morning mist, golden light, and a ridge that never gets old. Moments like this remain rare, even after many visits.

#photography #landscape #nz

1 week ago 210 30 5 0
a ceramic sculpture by Abi Castillo of a head with gray hair and a masked shaped like a butterfly around her eyes, with a smaller butterfly and caterpillar details

a ceramic sculpture by Abi Castillo of a head with gray hair and a masked shaped like a butterfly around her eyes, with a smaller butterfly and caterpillar details

a ceramic sculpture by Abi Castillo of a head with green hair surrounded by yellow flowers

a ceramic sculpture by Abi Castillo of a head with green hair surrounded by yellow flowers

Abi Castillo continues to create iterative self-portraits through her evolving ensemble of ceramic personas that consider transformation and the beauty of the natural world.

www.thisiscolossal.com/2026/04/abi-...

1 week ago 31 5 0 0
Three panel comic. Panel 1: young man in a hoodie looking morose and sitting on a swing set. He says “she’s breaking up with me…” Panel 2: next to him is a glyptodon, an early ancestor of armadillos. With his head in his hands, the young man says “what do I do glyptodon?” Panel 3: the glyptodon says “I’m like an early ancestor of armadillos. The young man angrily replies, “are you even listening man?”

Three panel comic. Panel 1: young man in a hoodie looking morose and sitting on a swing set. He says “she’s breaking up with me…” Panel 2: next to him is a glyptodon, an early ancestor of armadillos. With his head in his hands, the young man says “what do I do glyptodon?” Panel 3: the glyptodon says “I’m like an early ancestor of armadillos. The young man angrily replies, “are you even listening man?”

1 month ago 12700 2570 48 36

You sound ungrateful

1 month ago 0 0 0 0
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A triple-threat! Three new Ear-pick fungi sprout from an old Ear-pick fungus sprouting the more typical way from a Douglas fir cone. Another shriveled up sibling fungi lilts a bit to the right all shriveled and far less cool without anything sprouting from their noggin. Note that the 3x have a couple of other knots attempting to become fruiting body. The older fungi are a dark brown with the one sprouting children out of their head still presenting a few teeth sticking out from under their cap. The 3x younger ones have a reddish brown stem with a lighter colored tan cap. A composite of 36 pictures were focus stacked to generate this single image.

A triple-threat! Three new Ear-pick fungi sprout from an old Ear-pick fungus sprouting the more typical way from a Douglas fir cone. Another shriveled up sibling fungi lilts a bit to the right all shriveled and far less cool without anything sprouting from their noggin. Note that the 3x have a couple of other knots attempting to become fruiting body. The older fungi are a dark brown with the one sprouting children out of their head still presenting a few teeth sticking out from under their cap. The 3x younger ones have a reddish brown stem with a lighter colored tan cap. A composite of 36 pictures were focus stacked to generate this single image.

These were an absolute treat to find today!

Successional Ear-pick fungi, Auriscalpium vulgare.
#FunkyFungi #FungiFriends
#Fungi #Moss #Photography

1 month ago 148 27 2 0

0.0035 and I apparently can't see yellows

1 month ago 4 1 2 0
Gift of Robert Gober

Gift of Robert Gober

Lois Dodd, View through Elliot's Shack Looking South, 1971
https://botfrens.com/collections/14377/contents/1137812

1 month ago 48 6 0 0

In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have gotten two tattoos while my immune system was already rampaging

1 month ago 0 0 0 0
A gouache painting of a headless cicada. The cicada faces left. Colors of brown, gold, green and dark gray on a streaky blue-green background. Wispy shadows with a green tint, extend outward.

A gouache painting of a headless cicada. The cicada faces left. Colors of brown, gold, green and dark gray on a streaky blue-green background. Wispy shadows with a green tint, extend outward.

Cicada Blossom 0813, 2025

One more cicada for the week!
#bugsky #gardening #invertefest #sciart

1 month ago 35 6 0 0
An weathered animal vertebrae, likely from a deer, rests atop a lichen covered rock against a background of a grassy slope in the Columbia Gorge near Catherine Creek.

An weathered animal vertebrae, likely from a deer, rests atop a lichen covered rock against a background of a grassy slope in the Columbia Gorge near Catherine Creek.

A weathered skull of a deer, probably a buck, and likely a Columbia Black-tailed deer, sits on a lichen covered branch of an oak tree along the Memaloose Hills Trail near Mosier, Oregon.

A weathered skull of a deer, probably a buck, and likely a Columbia Black-tailed deer, sits on a lichen covered branch of an oak tree along the Memaloose Hills Trail near Mosier, Oregon.

The Deerly departed
Bones (likely) of Columbia Black-tailed deer, seen while hiking among the oak forests of the Columbia Gorge. In the wild, average lifespan is said to be around six years. Predators such as cougars, black bear, or coyotes; or harsh winters can cause their death.
#Mammals
📷🦌

1 month ago 23 2 0 0
A large grouping of Mica cap fungi with the mostly intact specimens to the front and the ones further deliquesced in the back. The rotting of the cap occurs along the rim and spreads upward and apparently aids in spore dispersal as the spores further up have are less sheltered by the cap so when they mature they have a better chance of catching the currents. Composite of 54 images focus stacked into one.

A large grouping of Mica cap fungi with the mostly intact specimens to the front and the ones further deliquesced in the back. The rotting of the cap occurs along the rim and spreads upward and apparently aids in spore dispersal as the spores further up have are less sheltered by the cap so when they mature they have a better chance of catching the currents. Composite of 54 images focus stacked into one.

The same grouping but a closer shot of the ones toward the back getting their spore dispersal on as they deliquesce. A composite of 40 images focus stacked into 1.

The same grouping but a closer shot of the ones toward the back getting their spore dispersal on as they deliquesce. A composite of 40 images focus stacked into 1.

A couple more shots of another section of the mica cap fungi found today.

These shots better exemplify one of my top 3 favorite words, #Deliquesce, or to become liquid, related to decomposition. Which is what the inky caps are known for & aids in spore dispersal. #FungiFriends #Fungi #Photography

1 month ago 43 5 0 0
A picture of a red capped gilled fungi with a white stripe. The gills are a lighter coloration compared to the cap with an almost pinkish hue. This image is a composite of 85 images focus stacked.

A picture of a red capped gilled fungi with a white stripe. The gills are a lighter coloration compared to the cap with an almost pinkish hue. This image is a composite of 85 images focus stacked.

A grouping of 5 tiny gilled fungi with mostly white features other than a brown spot located in the center of their cap. This is a composite of 33 images focus stacked to make this single image. These fungi were found growing on a decaying log located just 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6m) to the right of the mica cap fungi seen in today's earlier posts.

A grouping of 5 tiny gilled fungi with mostly white features other than a brown spot located in the center of their cap. This is a composite of 33 images focus stacked to make this single image. These fungi were found growing on a decaying log located just 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6m) to the right of the mica cap fungi seen in today's earlier posts.

A couple more focus stacked shots from today's visit to the forest. #FungiFriends #Fungi #Photography

1 month ago 26 1 0 0
This photo shows the blossom of the Blackthorn.

This photo shows the blossom of the Blackthorn.

This photo shows the blossom of the Blackthorn.

This photo shows the blossom of the Blackthorn.

Blackthorn blossoming in the garden.
#flowersFriday #flowersonFriday

1 month ago 29 7 0 0
An embroidery of an inner ear done in bone white thread on dark purple linen. The centre of the spiral is labeled “nave of vibration”, the body of the inner ear is labeled “plumes of sound”, and the tubes are labeled “windows open.”

An embroidery of an inner ear done in bone white thread on dark purple linen. The centre of the spiral is labeled “nave of vibration”, the body of the inner ear is labeled “plumes of sound”, and the tubes are labeled “windows open.”

It’s #WorldHearingDay to raise awareness about hearing health and accessibility. Here’s my #SciArt #embroidery of the cochlea/inner ear—nave of vibration (2017)—which I did while researching my symptoms of hyperacusis.

1 month ago 113 40 2 3
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Bright yellow flowers and spiny leaves

Bright yellow flowers and spiny leaves

Spiny leaves on a tall bush with bright yellow flowers

Spiny leaves on a tall bush with bright yellow flowers

The mahonia in our forest is ready to help out any early bees with its bright yellow flowers 🐝🌿

1 month ago 3 1 0 0
Freestanding neon line sculpture depicting a gold phonograph surrounded by flowers.

Freestanding neon line sculpture depicting a gold phonograph surrounded by flowers.

Neon wall sculpture with a cluster of glowing red flowers on thin blue stems with heart-shaped leaves, with wires moving down to a small embroidered textile spider web.

Neon wall sculpture with a cluster of glowing red flowers on thin blue stems with heart-shaped leaves, with wires moving down to a small embroidered textile spider web.

Freestanding neon line sculpture depicting a tall pink candle placed in a blue teacup.

Freestanding neon line sculpture depicting a tall pink candle placed in a blue teacup.

Freestanding neon line sculpture depicting a blue glass tower with a lightning bolt and fire erupting out from its center, and a blue crown-like shape with a spiky top (likely the top of the tower) lying on the ground next to it.

Freestanding neon line sculpture depicting a blue glass tower with a lightning bolt and fire erupting out from its center, and a blue crown-like shape with a spiky top (likely the top of the tower) lying on the ground next to it.

Neon sculpture by American artist Leticia Maldonado, 2020s, whose work is inspired by the Las Vegas signage she grew up around.

1 month ago 47 12 2 0
A young grizzly bear stands on a rock face and looks toward the viewer. He is friend-shaped, but I do not recommend hugs!

A young grizzly bear stands on a rock face and looks toward the viewer. He is friend-shaped, but I do not recommend hugs!

A grey Wolf sits in front of a fallen log on the BC Coast.

A grey Wolf sits in front of a fallen log on the BC Coast.

Two African Wild Dog pups playing with a branch.

Two African Wild Dog pups playing with a branch.

A female leopard staring out into the distance. Photo taken in South Africa.

A female leopard staring out into the distance. Photo taken in South Africa.

Today is #WorldWildlifeDay and I have been fortunate to experience so many magic moments with wildlife. We need to continue to work towards protecting wildlife and the places that they call home.

1 month ago 205 55 10 1
In a vast chamber lined with square concrete panels, a woman grips an iron ring to hang suspended in a sideways T. A taut chain extends from the ring on a diagonal down to another metal loop where she anchors her bare feet. Gravity tugs on her fiery orange hair as she reaches down to touch a broad band of mist. The hood of her loose white top spills down as do both sleeves, one bunching at the shoulder to expose her arm—her torso prevents it from falling farther—while unobstructed the other sleeve billows loosely. There is some curvature to the wall behind her, which tapers inward at the top. Boards are tacked in staggered lines extending ladder-like up the wall. A grungy tactile delight, the place looks weathered with tattered cloth draping the concrete in places. A variety of openings are covered by rusty grates or metal plates.

In a vast chamber lined with square concrete panels, a woman grips an iron ring to hang suspended in a sideways T. A taut chain extends from the ring on a diagonal down to another metal loop where she anchors her bare feet. Gravity tugs on her fiery orange hair as she reaches down to touch a broad band of mist. The hood of her loose white top spills down as do both sleeves, one bunching at the shoulder to expose her arm—her torso prevents it from falling farther—while unobstructed the other sleeve billows loosely. There is some curvature to the wall behind her, which tapers inward at the top. Boards are tacked in staggered lines extending ladder-like up the wall. A grungy tactile delight, the place looks weathered with tattered cloth draping the concrete in places. A variety of openings are covered by rusty grates or metal plates.

THE REACH (1999)
Acrylic on Canvas - 48” x 30”

Almost a Lumen painting, in which figures are trying to work their way out of enclosed spaces and get into the light.

I used a model for this one and it was quite difficult for her to take this pose and hold it long enough to capture the gesture. 1/3

1 month ago 383 77 7 0
Painting of various animals, they are in profile, facing right. Included in this panel: Snapping turtle, garter snake, batfish, muskellunge, salamander, giant octopus, iguana, frog, kingfisher, cardinal, wood duck, kestrel, waxwing and crow.

Painting of various animals, they are in profile, facing right. Included in this panel: Snapping turtle, garter snake, batfish, muskellunge, salamander, giant octopus, iguana, frog, kingfisher, cardinal, wood duck, kestrel, waxwing and crow.

In this image there is a group of birds and mammals in profile, facing right. Great blue heron, Saw-whet owl, giraffe, kangaroo, mountain lion, chipmunk, black bear, pronghorn, lemur and rhinoceros.

In this image there is a group of birds and mammals in profile, facing right. Great blue heron, Saw-whet owl, giraffe, kangaroo, mountain lion, chipmunk, black bear, pronghorn, lemur and rhinoceros.

Remember, biodiversity is critical to all species on our planet, including us. If you can, spend some time outside and appreciate all of the amazing sights, sounds and smells in nature. #worldwildlifeday

'Origin' is a visual exploration of biodiversity. Acrylic on panel, 96" x 48".

1 month ago 27 6 1 0
A light blue background with a hand embroidered Otter's head turned to the left.

A light blue background with a hand embroidered Otter's head turned to the left.

A gold Lamé fabric background with a hand embroidered Fox head in profile facing to the left

A gold Lamé fabric background with a hand embroidered Fox head in profile facing to the left

A cream and light grey patchwork fabric background with a hand embroidered ear of wheat bent across the image with a hand embroidered harvest mouse perched on too

A cream and light grey patchwork fabric background with a hand embroidered ear of wheat bent across the image with a hand embroidered harvest mouse perched on too

A cream wallpaper with a dark pink and brown painterly floral pattern with a hand embroidered Starling looking up on the left side

A cream wallpaper with a dark pink and brown painterly floral pattern with a hand embroidered Starling looking up on the left side

As it's #WorldWildlifeDay
Here are a selection of my hand embroidered wildlife artworks.
#embroidery #WildlifeArt

1 month ago 89 18 2 1
a photographic collage by Tshepiso Moropa of a girl with two leashes for birds

a photographic collage by Tshepiso Moropa of a girl with two leashes for birds

Tshepiso Moropa, "The Joy" (2023)

www.thisiscolossal.com/2026/03/tshe...

1 month ago 30 7 0 1
An illustration of a horse in vibrant Lunar New Year colors and design.

An illustration of a horse in vibrant Lunar New Year colors and design.


Przewalski’s horse, or Equus ferus przewalskii, is the only true wild horse species remaining in the world, once extinct in the wild but successfully reintroduced. Courtesy of Jacqui Estrada.

Przewalski’s horse, or Equus ferus przewalskii, is the only true wild horse species remaining in the world, once extinct in the wild but successfully reintroduced. Courtesy of Jacqui Estrada.

Brindles and whips like this one were tools, used for controlling horses used in ranching and transportation, often made from horsehair. Courtesy of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County.

Brindles and whips like this one were tools, used for controlling horses used in ranching and transportation, often made from horsehair. Courtesy of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County.

The Florida Horse Conch, Triplofusus papillosus, is the largest marine snail in North America and is the official state shell of Florida. Courtesy of Marissa Balfour, iNaturalist.

The Florida Horse Conch, Triplofusus papillosus, is the largest marine snail in North America and is the official state shell of Florida. Courtesy of Marissa Balfour, iNaturalist.

🐴 Although formal #LunarNewYear festivities have come to an end, the Year of the Horse has just begun! We invite you to gallop into a horse-inspired virtual tour through nature and from our Collections, including specimens, ranching tools, and even the Horse Conch: go.nhm.org/lunar-new-ye...

1 month ago 54 10 0 0
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A black and white pot showing a hellbender and her eggs.

A black and white pot showing a hellbender and her eggs.

Pink lady slippers and a snail on a black and white espresso mug, the liner glaze is green.

Pink lady slippers and a snail on a black and white espresso mug, the liner glaze is green.

A mushroom forest and slug are black on a white mug. The liner glaze is green.

A mushroom forest and slug are black on a white mug. The liner glaze is green.

A white bowl with black salamanders undulating on the surface.

A white bowl with black salamanders undulating on the surface.

I have some pots going up in my shop this Friday March 6th 7pm EST 🍃🤎

1 month ago 54 14 2 1
6” x 6” analogue collage on paper. Vertically arranged found papers in hues of green and orange and ivory. Black and white image of a tree. Map of the moon. Aqua tissue paper. Text on bottom left in black ink reads “not a problem to be solved”.

6” x 6” analogue collage on paper. Vertically arranged found papers in hues of green and orange and ivory. Black and white image of a tree. Map of the moon. Aqua tissue paper. Text on bottom left in black ink reads “not a problem to be solved”.

little snowy afternoon collage

(i know i’m like the violin players on the Titanic
gluing tiny scraps of colored paper onto canvas while the world blows up)

1 month ago 34 6 2 0
A spread layout for the book 'Architectural Fantasies' featuring a heavily embellished artist environment by Prophet Isaiah Robertson

A spread layout for the book 'Architectural Fantasies' featuring a heavily embellished artist environment by Prophet Isaiah Robertson

An artist environment by Margaret Rogers Dennis that's heavily embellished with lots of hand-painted signs and decoration

An artist environment by Margaret Rogers Dennis that's heavily embellished with lots of hand-painted signs and decoration

A heavily embellished pavilion in bright colors and patterns, designed by Eddie Owens Martin

A heavily embellished pavilion in bright colors and patterns, designed by Eddie Owens Martin

A new book chronicles some of the most enduring examples of artist-built environments—even if they only now exist in photographs.

www.thisiscolossal.com/2026/03/arch...

1 month ago 24 5 0 0
Painting in a realistic style depicting two Afro-Latino youths on a bike looking seriously at the viewer, one a girl with pigtails wearing blue overalls balancing on pegs, the other a boy in a tshirt and striped sweatpants sitting on the seat. They are posing on a grass lawn in front of a small red brick house, where a woman stands on the porch smiling.

Painting in a realistic style depicting two Afro-Latino youths on a bike looking seriously at the viewer, one a girl with pigtails wearing blue overalls balancing on pegs, the other a boy in a tshirt and striped sweatpants sitting on the seat. They are posing on a grass lawn in front of a small red brick house, where a woman stands on the porch smiling.

Painting in a realistic style depicting an Afro-Latino youth sitting atop a large metal pie surrounded by yellow metal bars and telephone lines, with a grey-blue sky behind him.

Painting in a realistic style depicting an Afro-Latino youth sitting atop a large metal pie surrounded by yellow metal bars and telephone lines, with a grey-blue sky behind him.

Painting in a realistic style depicting a young Afro-Latina woman wearing a red bathing suit and swimming in green-blue water, her body and lower face submerged underwater.

Painting in a realistic style depicting a young Afro-Latina woman wearing a red bathing suit and swimming in green-blue water, her body and lower face submerged underwater.

Painting in a realistic style depicting a group of Black and Latino adults gathered around a table with a floral tablecloth and various drinks, under a thatch awning. They are all wearing brightly colored shirts, and gesturing as they talk, centered around a woman who is listening while leaning her jaw on her hand. A dark blue night lies behind them.

Painting in a realistic style depicting a group of Black and Latino adults gathered around a table with a floral tablecloth and various drinks, under a thatch awning. They are all wearing brightly colored shirts, and gesturing as they talk, centered around a woman who is listening while leaning her jaw on her hand. A dark blue night lies behind them.

Paintings by Domincan artist Raelis Vasquez, 2020s, whose work celebrates Afro-Latinx families and communities.

1 month ago 21 6 0 0
This is a photo of a greeting card. It features a repeat pattern of white birds against a blue background, with a black and white decorative border of angled triangles. There are flowers on the wooden table on which it lies.

This is a photo of a greeting card. It features a repeat pattern of white birds against a blue background, with a black and white decorative border of angled triangles. There are flowers on the wooden table on which it lies.

It's a bright and sunny start to the day here today!
sarahrobinsondesigns.etsy.com/listing/4456...

1 month ago 20 5 0 0