This is a piece I recently finished as a commission featuring a Daisy Brittle Star, Ophiopholis aculeata. This species of brittle star is one of the most common and can be found in not only the local waters of the Puget Sounds, but all over the. Brittle stars are also much faster than other species of sea stars and very shy, so while they may be common, they can be difficult to find.

The piece is done in graphite on Stipple Paper from the Bee Paper Company. Whats I like about this paper is the texture, which creates a pattern resembling that of ink stippling as you glide the graphite across it. The texture is also great for capturing the bumpy texture of these organisms.

I want to say thank you again to the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture for allowing me to work from their preserved specimens. A big thank you to Melissa Frey, PhD, the Invertebrate Zoology Collections Manager, as well for kindly finding and allowing me access to these specimens!

I hope you enjoy the new piece!