warning – there be spiders – sensitive viewers take note

Posted by Stephen Quirke on October 13, 2009 under Art, Drawing, en plein air, Spider, watercolor, watercolour | 12 Comments to Read

Sorry June – I just could not resist this.  Isabelle suggested we paint the spiders in our lives – which I think is a good idea.  I took a break earlier to lie on the deck in the shade and read the text I need to summarise now.  But as I lifted the mattress I have out there this mama came running out.  So I got my stuff and shooed her to the edge of the concrete tank behind which she was hiding.  And she sat very nicely while I did these:

She is a Wandering or Lizard-eating spider family:  Sparassidae:  Palystes natalius.  She is probably hanging around to eat the little frogs who are now emerging from the swimming pool which is the neighborhood breeding ground of choice.  As she sits on the wall she is 100mm from back feet to front or four inches.