🕷️ The Bug keepers journal - artist statement

Through digital painting, storytelling, and zine-making, I document the lives of my invertebrate pets—from tiny spiderlings to fully grown adults. What began with a single jumping spider has grown into a miniature ecosystem of tarantulas, praying mantises, leaf insects, millipedes, a scorpion, and more. These often misunderstood creatures have become my muses, companions, and collaborators.

This project is both a visual diary and a celebration of the strange and beautiful lives of invertebrates. Each individual is painted at different stages of their growth, with their entire journey culminating in a surrealist, Art Nouveau–inspired digital portrait. Alongside the art, I share my personal experiences of raising them—their behavior, quirks, and hidden intelligence—offering a window into their fascinating world.

I create this work out of love and deep curiosity. These animals are more than creepy-crawly curiosities; they are reminders of nature’s overlooked brilliance. Their lives offer insights into resilience, adaptability, and the delicate balance of ecosystems—lessons humans can learn from if we pay attention.

By combining art, education, and storytelling, I hope to inspire others to look closer, feel wonder, and celebrate the odd and overlooked lives that share our planet.