The Flying Ground Beetle, 2024 by Megan Kelley

7" x 14" Acrylic and Puffy Paint on Canvas Board.
 
During a day dedicated to mindfulness and meditation, the vision for this beetle came to me in 3 different “videos” in my minds eye.

first, the beetle walked into the log, then turned and walked in a different direction. a simple reaction in nature.

next, the beetle bumped into the log, then again, then again, then again. Then the beetle tried to climb over the log, to dig under the log, always assuming there was more work to do or a better strategy to try to continue on its path.. hurting itself in the process.

then finally, at the end of this long day, the beetle came to me one more time. this time it bumped into the log, stood still, then burst into flight going straight up and soaring over all of the trees.

a message that we are neither animal nor our minds, that in spirit even the ground beetle flies.