Reine des Abeilles (Queen Bee) – Ink & Watercolor on Paper

Queen Bee was created through my love and appreciation for bees. On October 1, 2016, National Geographic published an article about seven species of Hawaiian yellow-faced bees that are now federally protected. There is growing public and political concern at bee decline across the world. This decline is caused by a combination of stresses - from loss of their habitat and food sources to exposure to pesticides and the effects of climate change. 

I decided it was a good opportunity to showcase bees in an anthropomorphic style. To offer art that allows for a conversation of bees beyond being insects that have a tendency to sting. It is my hope that not only will the art be amusing, playful and clever but that an appreciation will develop towards what the bee species offers our daily lives such as:

• They pollinate 75% and 95% of all flowering plants.
• One out of every three bites of food you eat is there because of pollinators.
• Bees also pollinate around 80% of wildflowers in Europe, so our countryside would be far less interesting and beautiful without them.
• Livestock is dependent upon bee-pollinated forage plants, such as clover and alfalfa.
• Bees are vital to the production of both conventional and organic cotton because of their role as a pollinator.
• The presence of only half a colony of honeybees increases cotton production by 19.5% per acre of field cultivated.
• In cage-grown cotton, production was increased 43% compared with cotton fields grown without the use of pollinators.

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Queen Bee, Queen Bee, flow for me
Golden dreams upon my tongue 
Golden sacs upon your legs
Bring unto my garden an abundance of fame