Art Elements Monthly Theme: Luna Moth

Thanks to Jen Cameron for picking out this month’s Art Elements Blog Hop Theme: Luna Moth.

With an Entomology background I am fascinated by the scientific approach, but can get way too involved in the details. So this month I thought that I would just go along with what attracts me to these lovely creatures: The color and that long wing that looks like tail feathers…

First I began to make the wire form with pipe cleaners.
I wrapped Sarafina Off White Chunky Core Roving around the wire and stabbed it a bit to get it to hold. I used Gold core wool to wrap the antennae and left the pipe cleaner legs alone.
To get the right shade of green, I mixed gold and green, a bit of blue and a lot of sage green.
I felted the wings onto the wool wrapped wing wires and added some extra brown wool along the top of the wings and yellow wool on the top of the thorax (wings and legs attach to the thorax).
I tried to remember to get photos, but once you start going with needle felting, it’s hard to stop all that bit of stabbing and the instant gratification.
I added a little wing detail and would have worked a bit more on the long extension of the hind wing, but though this would do for a first try.
I love seeing photos of moths resting on human hands. There is something about how tender they are and often how large and fragile that gives a sense of awe.
Getting back to the scientific side of things – it is SO important to make sure to get the next generation involved with nature. And to provide habitat for these critters.
This is a Spicebush Swallowtail (left), an actual Spicebush plant (center), and the wee little Spicebush Caterpillar rolled up in a spicebush leaf that it had been munching on earlier in the day.

Luna moths and many other winged insects overwinter in the leaf litter in wooded areas. Please keep this in mind for your “clean-up” and maybe consider how your keeping things tidy may actually be doing harm to our natural populations.

Thank you for stopping by! Make sure to take the time to see what everyone else has created this month:
Guests:
Tammy
Beth and Evie
Rain
Alysen
Rozantia
Sarajo
Karin
Sarah
Divya
Colette
Art Elements Team:
Niky
Caroline
Cathy
Jenny
Lesley
Marsha (you are here)
Lindsay
Claire
Jen

If you want to learn more about needle felting, check out the shop where I work part time: SarafinaFiberArt.com

Comments
839 Responses to “Art Elements Monthly Theme: Luna Moth”
  1. Claire says:

    I love your approach, both from the inspirational side as well as from the material you used! I especially love the last image with the felted moth on your hand where you can see the fluffy belly and legs! 🙂

  2. Lesley Watt says:

    I love your wooly moth Marsha – he really has a light and airy feel to him as if he could literally just flutter away on the breeze.

  3. Beth says:

    I love seeing your photos of how the piece came about. I have wanted to try needle felting, but I am afraid of what the texture of the wool would feel like (I don’t like the feel of somethings). I love what you can create from the needle felting – and your piece is perfect!

  4. What a fabulous felted moth! I think seeing moths or butterflies on people’s hands is so lovely. I have never had the pleasure of having it happen to me though;-(
    I love seeing process photos and the armature you created has really given me lots of ideas for future projects-thanks!!

  5. Oh my goodness, I am in love with this moth you’ve created. It is gorgeous in every detai, but I really think it’s the fuzzy pipe cleaner legs that get me. I am a big advocate of leaving the leaf litter alone. Mostly because it is beneficial and necessary for so many things. And also because I hate the sounds and smells of leaf blowers. What a horrid invention.

  6. Sarah says:

    Beautiful blog post! I loved seeing the process photos of your piece and how you constructed your felt moth. It is gorgeous and has a magical quality to it. Very inspiring piece!

  7. I love your felted moth. He (she?) Would look lovely mounted on the wall somewhere in your house.

  8. Love the needle felted moth, it looks so sweet and fluffy! I’ve been wanting to try needle felting for years, so thank you for the tip about using pipe cleaners!

  9. Laney Mead says:

    ooo he is fabulous!!

  10. Alysen says:

    Marsha, I mentioned the ‘clean up’ not being a good idea also! At home I don’t clean up leaves, etc. until maybe April. But Sis has a gardener (in North Georgia where Luna Moths live) and 2x a week he’s cleaning up everything! And the sprayers come for the lawn :(( and that’s what prompted me to include that thought.
    OK, rant over 🙂 .. I love your felted Luna Moth and your steps in creating it. Fascinating!

  11. Jen cameron says:

    I adore your felted Luna moth! So cute! I love your scientific and artistic approach to this project and the reminder on how to be an ally to all butterflies and moths.

  12. Jenny says:

    Oh I understand how you made that! Thanks to Sara’s goldfish tutorial. Wow. I may start felting yet!
    Its perfect. I see it perched jauntily on Chloe’s head!

  13. Mel says:

    Your work is so great! Needle feeling fascinates me and you showcase it so beautifully. Wonderful color mixing!

  14. Sarajo Wentling says:

    Marsha, it was so cool seeing your adorable luna moth from start to finish! Thanks for sharing your fascinating process with us. He is wonderful!

  15. Caroline says:

    Love your post Marsha, really enjoyed seeing the process of how you created your moth, he’s wonderful!

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