On 3-acres in the Shenandoah County of Virginia with 1/4 wooded where I had lived there was a large patch of Mayapples (Podophyllum peltatum) and Marsh Blue Violets (Viola cucullata) meandering among the bases of black walnut, oak, and ash trees. Through direct observation of their growth stages from April through May I randomly collected several samples to continue my observational sketches, drawings, and to painting in my studio. I used magnifiers, measuring tools, and photography to aid in understanding the subtle textures and colors of the plants. For reference images and identification of the insects that were observed living among them I relied on the internet, the snail shell was from my personal collection of found objects. The circular composition was chosen to present a unique point of view.

Insects and Snail Shell:
West virginia White Butterfly (Pieris virginiensis)
Carpenter Ant (Camponotus)
Millipede (Apheloria virginiensis)
Virginia Land Snail Shell (Discus catskillensis)