Why do you paint insects?
Painting insect portraits was a God given vision that Jessa and James had unknowingly been prepared for. Since the vision in late 2002, the motive to paint big bugs has evolved from an idea to educational tools for conservation awareness and has begun transforming negative perceptions of insects. Not only are they fascinating to learn about but also are made up of incredible textures, colors and intricate forms invisible to your naked eye. Painting a subject such as insects elevates the level of interest because of their important role in our human existence. The fact is, we need them to survive but all too often we don't acknowledge it.

Why are your paintings so large in scale?
Painting with oils on canvas and pastels on paper, I create enormous portraits that captivate an audience, allowing them to visually experience insects as they never have before. For the first time, they can “see” the microscopic details and “feel” the insects’ presence.

How do you decide which insect to paint?
Each painting begins with a God-given vision with light, shadow, pose, and background color included. Then the hunt is on for a pinned specimen which I can use directly under a microscope for the insect portrait. I prefer to paint subjects from an international selection and especially endangered or threatened species, but only if it fits the vision.

Where do you get the specimens to paint from?
Most of the specimens come from entomologists that travel the world for field studies, research, and collecting. Most of these entomologists are University professors, grad students, or enthusiastic collectors. However, from time to time, some of my youngest fans will bring me specimens that they have caught on a bug hunt in their own backyard.

Why do you paint in public spaces instead of a studio?
As an unconventional visual artist, I introduce the process of creating a painting, within a public space. The public is allowed to witness a daily transformation of the image and subject. For the artist, a studio traditionally has been a space in which he can create in solitude. The idea and body of work is then displayed or exhibited for the public to view in its completed state. The experience of “making” is absent from the spectator. In my professional experience, very few people understand or have seen the processes that artists use to create their work. Visitors are often excited and interested enough to ask all types of questions relating to the procedures and subject matter and thus they learn a ton through the demonstration and interaction with the artist.

Which artists have influenced your work?
Within my body of work, I utilize several creative influences, which include; Caravaggio, Georgia O’Keefe, Salvador Dali, John James Audobon and Chuck Close. I have selected these painters because of their technical specialties and extraordinary ability to capture the seen and unseen, through their use of light, shadow, scale, ingenuity, and scientific approaches.