The intent of this series is summed up beautifully in this quote by Rachel Carson:

“The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.”

Rachel Carson’s words strike at the very heart of what I aim to achieve with the Nature of Man series. In a world where we’re increasingly distanced from the natural wonders around us, her insight feels more relevant than ever. We are surrounded by the marvels of life—yet, in our detachment, we often fail to grasp their fragility.

This, to me, is the core struggle between man and nature: a clash between what we create and what is inherently ours to protect.

Recap: The First Two Artworks

In my last two posts, I explained the intent behind this new series and shared the sketches for the first two artworks. At the time, I had three ideas to start the series, two of which are still unnamed. Feel free to help me out by suggesting names!

The first artwork, featured in the post First Steps to Creating ‘Man vs Nature’ Series, shows a large tree sheltering animals, with a city looming in the background and parched earth between them. This piece visually represents the loss of habitat due to human encroachment.

The second piece, featured in Today it’s Elephants: Creating Environmental Art, depicts a herd of elephants crashing through a manmade structure. This symbolizes the crowding out of animals, and the resilience of species fighting to reclaim their lost territories. While the themes in this series are serious, I aim to balance the message with the beauty and majesty of the creatures we share this world with.

Choosing the Title: “Nature of Man”

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who reached out and helped me choose the title for this series. I’m going with Nature of Man. It’s perfect because it reflects man’s drive to move forward without always considering the consequences, but without implying outright negativity.

I avoided a negative angle because I believe there are many out there who would change the world if they could, and others who are already actively making a difference. Instead of focusing on the villainy of mankind, I want to lift up the heroes who understand it’s our duty to protect the world.

Introducing “The Pollinators”

Now, let me introduce you to the third piece in this series, The Pollinators. This is the only artwork in the series so far that I’ve named, and it’s the most developed conceptually.

I’ve always been mesmerized by pollinators, even as a child. I remember spending hours watching bees move from one flower to the next in my grandmother’s garden. Their gentle dance felt like a magical performance, one that I didn’t fully understand at the time.

Now, I look at those memories differently—knowing how vital these tiny creatures are and how easily their delicate lives can be disrupted.

The Creative Process

CLICK HERE to watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfgX6A6aD5s

To bring this piece to life, I needed specific props—namely, a glass dome and a vase of flowers. Since it’s late in the season, I mostly found fall foliage and mums, but I eventually found a bouquet with a spring-like feel.

I sifted through my library of thousands of photographs, finding plenty of bees and butterflies but no hummingbirds. The hummingbird will be hand-painted, but that’s no problem.

As with the previous two artworks, I started by sketching the composition on my 24” Huion digital pen tablet, using a neutral grey background and a black brush tip that changes with pressure. This is something a mouse simply can’t do, which is why the pen tablet is so important to me.

The Symbolism Behind The Pollinators

The Pollinators has a bit of a twisted theme. The glass dome symbolizes our human tendency to believe we are safeguarding what’s valuable, while in reality, we’re isolating it from the very elements that allow it to thrive. The pollinators—essential to the continuation of life—are kept out as if they are a threat.

This encapsulates a common human failing: mistaking control for care. We believe that in insulating something from its environment, we are doing good, but the truth is that life depends on symbiotic relationships.

Man often doesn’t understand what is truly precious. I believe our health is precious, and to stay healthy, we must care for our natural resources. This includes protecting the creatures that ensure our food supply, such as honeybees, birds, and even the less popular insects.

How We Can Support Pollinators

One small yet powerful way to support pollinators is by creating pollinator-friendly gardens. Native plants are crucial for local insects, as they provide familiar habitats and food sources.

Additionally, reducing pesticide use can help protect pollinators from harmful chemicals. While large-scale change is needed, these small acts, when done collectively, can have a big impact. Each garden is a sanctuary—a small oasis in a world that too often turns a blind eye to nature’s needs.

The Science Behind Pollinators

Pollinators don’t just provide us with beauty in the form of blooming plants and fruits; they sustain the very ecosystems we depend on. Without them, a cascade of events would threaten our food security, leading to widespread crop failures.

In fact, one out of every three bites of food we eat relies on pollinators. Imagine a world without coffee, chocolate, or apples. The connection between pollinators and our everyday lives is profound, yet easily overlooked.

Did you know that insects pollinate about 75% of the world’s flowering plants? It’s not just bees and butterflies, either—many other insects play a role, such as beetles, flies, and ants. Pollinators are vital to the global food chain, and losing them would have devastating consequences.

Unintended Consequences of Modern Innovations

The same chemicals that harm pollinators are also harming us. Pesticides and other chemicals don’t just affect the insects—they enter our food, our water, and ultimately, our bodies.

Just because science can create, doesn’t always mean it should.

The rise of electric vehicles, for example, is often heralded as a solution to climate change. However, the mining and disposal of lithium-ion batteries pose significant environmental hazards, particularly water contamination and waste management challenges. The clean energy narrative is incomplete without acknowledging these risks.

This brings us back to the theme of unintended consequences, much like protecting flowers from their pollinators—our efforts to improve can sometimes exacerbate the very problems we aim to solve.

Looking Ahead

I’ve started the first three artworks in the Nature of Man series, but this is just the beginning. There’s so much more to explore. What other topics would you like to see addressed in this series?

If you have any ideas you’d like to see for future artworks, let me know in the comments!