Kristin Leachman

 

The Phoracantha paintings are an exploration of the pathways of borer beetles through eucalyptus trees. The presence of the beetle is fairly common in eucalyptus but, as seasonal temperatures rise due to global warming, the trees’ xylem tissues cannot sustain the high internal moisture levels that typically flush out the insects' feeding tunnels. As winter temperatures increase, fewer freezes lead to a decrease in the normal winter die-off. These environmental factors have led to exponential growth of borer beetle activity in trees. I have used color to highlight the beauty of the calligraphic patterns the beetles leave behind as they migrate from tree to tree throughout forests in California.