Mail Art South Florida
This painting captures a striking portrait of an Eastern lubber grasshopper, rendered with a sense of monumentality that elevates the insect from its natural scale into a commanding presence. The figure is centered and vertical, its segmented body glowing in saturated oranges, reds, and yellows against a dense, layered green ground. The grasshopper’s form is both precise and expressive, its anatomy suggested through bold marks and textured overlays that balance observation with interpretation.
The surrounding field of deep greens and earthy neutrals evokes the humid, tangled environments of South Florida, where foliage, shadow, and movement constantly overlap. Vertical bands cut through the composition like tree trunks or pathways, grounding the insect within a lived landscape rather than isolating it as a specimen. The surface feels worked and tactile, with scratches, smears, and tonal shifts that echo the resilience and raw energy of the natural world. This approach transforms the grasshopper into a symbol of adaptation, persistence, and quiet power.
By focusing on a creature often overlooked or misunderstood, the painting invites viewers to reconsider the beauty and significance of local ecosystems. It reflects an ongoing commitment to documenting the distinctive life of the region through art, celebrating what is familiar yet extraordinary. This work is part of my continued involvement in the #MailArtMovement where I share the fauna, flora, culture, celebrities and more that make South Florida unique.
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Private Collection of Sarah Sharman
IG: @elvissantanaart