Bugs and Birds Gallery
Category Archives: British wildlife artist
Siphonaptera Gallery (Fleas).
To order artwork, please email Cath on cathhodsman@gmail.com
A beautiful, intricate pencil study of a flea. This is a microscopy sketch, completed by Cath, whilst looking through a scope lens. It is done in the same style as the British 1600’s Natural Philosopher, Robert Hooke. This study is Cath’s own artistic homage to one of her personal heroes. It is also acknowledged as one Hooke’s most well-known artistic/scientific studies, taken from his ground-breaking book, “Micrographia”. The text in the “labels” are Hooke’s own words, taken from Micrographia – Words he used to describe his own personal observations of flea anatomy, seen for the first time by anyone and only made possible by the microscope. This unique publication launched the first microscopy studies onto the world stage and opened up new era in scientific study and appreciation of the natural world. Framed (in light oak) original pencil study painting 16″ x 20″, £220.00, plus P&P. Mounted limited edition print, 16″ x 20″, £45.00,plus P&P. Unmounted limited edition print, £20.00, plus P&P. To order, see instructions at the top of the page
Beetle Gallery (Coleoptera)
British Beetles…British Beetles….British Beetles…..British Beetles…..British Beetles
Any Art work may be purchased by emailing Cath on cathhodsman@gmail.com . There may be an extra charge for overseas postage.
-
- “Living Jewels”- Jewel beetles from Indonesia- Chrysochroa fulminans. This beautiful w/c paintiing shows how structrual colour in insects can refract light to amazing affect. Framed original, 16″ x 20″, £260.00, plus P&P. Mounted limited edition print, 16″ x 20″, £45.00,plus P&P. Unmounted limited edition print, £20.00, plus P&P. To order, see instructions at the top of the page
-
- This watercolour painting celebrates the beauty and diversity of of British Beetles. Lesser Stag Beetle (Paralellopipedus), Minotaur Dung Beetle(Typhaeus typhoes); Black Ground Beetle (Pterstichus madidus); Rove Beetle (Ocypus olens); Thick Legged Oil Beetle(Oedemera nobilis); Spanish Fly(Lytta vesticatoria); Silver-Green Leaf Weevil (Phyllobius argentatus). Original, sold. Mounted, limited edition print 16″ x 20″, £45.00, plus P&P.Unmounted print, £25.00, plus P&P. To order, see instructions at the top of the page.
-
- “Sketchbook Ladybirds” A lovely medley of British Ladybirds, featuring, the 7-Spot,Coccinella septempunctata; The Eyed Ladybird, Anatis ocellata anf the Two-Spotted Ladybird, Adalia bipunctata Original watercolour, £220.00, plus P&P. Mounted Limited Edition print, £45.00, plus P&P. Unmounted Limited Edition Print, £25.00, plus P&P. To order, see instructions at the top of the page.
-
- ” A Few of my Favourite Things” A delightful ladybird medley of beautiful British ladybirds. It features, The Five spot ladybird (Coccinella 5-punctata), the Eyed Ladybird (Anatis ocellata, the Pine ladybird ( Exochomus 4-pustulatus), the 14 spot ladybird(Propylea quatuordecimpunctata pela), and the Orange ladybird (Halyzia 16-guttata) Original, sold. Limited edition mounted, water colour print £45.00, plus P&P. Unmounted, £25.00, plus P&P. To order see instructions at the top of the page.
-
- “Ladybird, Ladybird, Fly Away Home….” detailed W/C painting of a lovely Japanese Rosy Buckler Fern – Dryopteris erythrosora ‘prolifica’ and a Seven-spot ladybird – Cocinella septempunctata. Framed original painting – £220.00, plus P&P. Limited edition mounted print, £45.00 plus P&P. Unmounted print, £25.00, plus P&P. To order, see instructions at the top of the page.
-
- Hydrangeas are lovely late Summer flowers, but if their flower heads are left on after they have gone over, they provide important hibernation sites for insects like the ladybird. Original framed w/c painting, 16″ x 20″, £200.00 plus P&P. Mounted limited edition print, 16″ x 20″, £45.00 ,plus P&P or unmounted print, 16″ x 20″, £25.00, plus P&P. To order, see instructions at the top of the page.
British Beetles…..British Beetles….British Beetles….British beetles
Cath writes for Royal Society of Biology, celebrating Hooke’s Micrographia.
In line with her latest art/ento’ workshop, to be held on the 23rd October 2015, entitled “Studying and Painting Insect Lifecycles“, (Click for more) the Royal Society of Biology asked Cath to write a Blog celebrating Robert Hooke’s “Micrographia” – The land-mark publication that launched microscopy art onto the world stage. He is a huge inspiration to Cath and one of her major influences. Click to read
One of his most famous illustrations, a flea study & below, one of Cath’s studies
. 
Pencil & graphite microscopy study study of a swallowtail b’fly – post mortem.
Wasp Paintings (Hymenoptera)
Wasps…Wasps…..Wasps…..Wasps….Wasps…..Wasps….Wasps…
To order, email on cathhodsman@gmail.com There may be an extra charge on overseas postage.
-
- Giant American Ichneumon wasp. Megarhyssa atrata. W/C and coloured pencil. 16″ x 20″, framed, £220.00, plus p&p. Limited edition Mounted print, 16″ x 20″, £45.00,plus p&p. Unmounted print, £25.00, plus p&p. To order, see instructions at the top of the page.
Sign up for Cath’s unique & fascinating, insect art workshops…
Cath is well-known for her fun, unique and absorbing insect art workshops. At each event, any number of different insects, or insect lifestyles are studied. She also brings along her selection of fascinating insect specimens and microscopes to study them in all of their amazing macro detail…….Click here for more. She looks forward to seeing you soon! http://www.cathhodsmanwildlifeartist.com/2013/09/painting-courses/
Botanical artists, hard-at-work
Send a Mother’s Day card with a difference……
Treat your Mum with a unique and more personal Mother’s Day card……… If she loves the natural world, then she will love these cards that celebrate it…….Click on the link to see all of Cath’s beautiful greetings card ranges. http://www.cathhodsmanwildlifeartist.com/latest-wildlife-art-news/
The Botanical Range…….
Tracy Spiers, illustrator, writer and artist interviews Cath for Cotswold Life
Cath met Tracy Spiers, at the beginning of the year, for an article she was writing on Cath’s work and projects as an entomological (insects) artist, illustrator, conservationist and educator.
Coming from similar backgrounds, as female artists who strongly believe in their own chosen subject matter and causes, they felt a mutual respect for each other….so much so that Tracy decided to write about Cath in her Blog, “Tracy Spiers – Professional Practice” , Monday, 13 January 2014
Interview with Natural History Museum illustrator, Cath Hodsman
It was my privilege to interview Cath Hodsman, a skilled and widely acknowledged British wildlife artist, who lives in Gloucestershire, for Cotswold Life, this morning. Her work is in many specialist wildlife and natural history venues, including the most famous museum, The Natural History Museum in London.
Gaining an insight into an illustrator’s studio space is always fascinating and Cath’s work environment was certainly full of life in the real sense of the word. I was introduced to her 20 “Stickies” – her trusted growing family of female Indian Stick Insects – and drawers full of butterfly wings, honey bees and other specimens. Many of them have been given to her from Butterfly House at Berkeley Castle, which means Cath has primary research at her fingertips.
Armed with her glasses and strong microscopic glasses she looks, paints, looks, paints, until she has captured every hair, fleck of colour and stroke with her watercolours and acrylic inks. The results are stunning. They are accurate yet in a much more friendlier and delightful way than the more clinical diagram-like images one often finds in the old encyclopedias.
Once I have written the feature I will post it, but one thing that struck me in chatting with Cath, is the passion and enthusiasm she has for her subject. She just loves bugs and is evangelistic in her approach. It’s not just about capturing an insect – be it a bee, a beetle or a butterfly – that she is interested in; it is sharing that enjoyment for the little creatures with others, whether they are young or old; raising awareness of their importance and raising money to ensure they are protected for the future.
Armed with her glasses and strong microscopic glasses she looks, paints, looks, paints, until she has captured every hair, fleck of colour and stroke with her watercolours and acrylic inks. The results are stunning. They are accurate yet in a much more friendlier and delightful way than the more clinical diagram-like images one often finds in the old encyclopedias.
Once I have written the feature I will post it, but one thing that struck me in chatting with Cath, is the passion and enthusiasm she has for her subject. She just loves bugs and is evangelistic in her approach. It’s not just about capturing an insect – be it a bee, a beetle or a butterfly – that she is interested in; it is sharing that enjoyment for the little creatures with others, whether they are young or old; raising awareness of their importance and raising money to ensure they are protected for the future.
Cath is about to run a series of workshops to mark 2014, the Year of the Microscope. These include microscopy sketching and painting courses at The Centre for Science and Art, Stroud; Painswick Rococo Garden and Slimbridge.
As I chose to do an artist residency for my own work placement, it was very fitting that I had chance to talk in depth about Cath’s own experience at Nature in Art and other venues. She is about to start another residency at the WWT at Slimbridge. So I asked her what value such residencies have and what she expects to gain from them. This was her reply:
As I chose to do an artist residency for my own work placement, it was very fitting that I had chance to talk in depth about Cath’s own experience at Nature in Art and other venues. She is about to start another residency at the WWT at Slimbridge. So I asked her what value such residencies have and what she expects to gain from them. This was her reply:
“What it means to be an Artist-in-Residence”
“There are several words that spring to mind when I think about what it means to me as an Artist-in-Residence…….
ART – I have an uninterrupted chance to indulge myself in my favourite activity – to produce a painting or sketch.
INSECTS – The subject matter of my art is usually my favourite things – insects! Such fascinating, beautiful and important creatures deserve to be recognised through the medium of art.
CONSERVATION – If I choose, I can use my art to highlight conservation issues, that affect insects, such as pesticide use, habitat loss, or climate change.
CONVERSION – So many people are averse to insects, but residences are always such as great opportunity to use my microscopes and specimens, to show people how beautiful, important, strong, diverse and fascinating insects really are.
CHATS – During all of my residences, I meet so many fab people -folks who are interested in insects, art, conservation, or all three. It is always so inspirational to swap experiences, knowledge, and stories with like-minded people – and even to stay in touch with them after.
INSPIRATION – As a wildlife and natural history artist, I am so lucky to be based as Artist-in-Residence at some truly inspirational venues. Places that have so much beauty, such as WWT Slimbridge, Nature in Art or Painswick Rococo Gardens serve to feed my artistic, natural history and conservation juices. One month I might be overlooking the diverse beauty of the wetlands at Slimbridge. Another month I might be taking in the serene beauty of the Painswick Valley at the Rococo Gardens or indulging myself in the genius of other wildlife artists at Nature in Art.
KNOWLEDGE – I love meeting the many hardworking staff, experts and volunteers who run these fab venues. There is so much to be learnt from Reserve Managers, Tour Guides, Gardeners, Species Experts, Planners, Facilitators, and Helpers.
FUND RAISING – Through art sales during my residences, funds go back into supporting these fantastic hosts, to enable them to continue to carry out their important work.
ENJOYMENT – I am lucky enough to mix all of my passions in one job – life doesn’t get a lot better!”
Her comments really helped and the mixing of passions particularly rung true. I love capturing stories, meeting people, making quirky, bright, detailed illustrations, raising awareness and uplifting people too. So this is a great starting point to help me focus on the next stage of my artistic career.
For more info on the beautiful and original work of artist, writer and illustrator,Tracy Spiers, visit her Blog Spot on http://insightintoillustration.blogspot.co.uk/
Young people’s insect-art events.
These are the dates booked, in which Cath will be running insect-related arts and crafts sessions or microscopy workshops for young entomologists and bug fans…….
2nd August 2017 – University of Bristol Botanic Garden – “Incredible Insects!” Come and meet the world’s largest moth…. and find about what the strongest animal on Earth is, at another of Cath’s wonderful insect events, set in the beautiful University of Bristol Botanic Gardens. Click to book. http://www.bristol.ac.uk/botanic-garden/events/2017/incredible-insects-.html
25th October 2017 – Corinium Museum, Cirencester – As part of her mini art/insect exhibition at the museum running from 16-30 October, Cath will also be staging another of her hugely popular “Incredible Insects!” art/insect events for young people on the above date. For more info, please ring the museum on 01285 655 611.
….Please watch this space as new dates are added regularly.
Natural History Museum – Spotlight on Cath’s work.
Cath’s blog
"White tailed Bumble Bee & Papaver orientalis" - w/c study available at the Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum in London are recognising the beautiful natural history art of Cath Hodsman by dedicating a Spotlight page to her on their website. http://piclib.nhm.ac.uk/cath-hodsman.asp Click on the link to see the images that the NHM have chosen to showcase……
Cath’s blog