In love with Ladybirds

摘要

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING" a voice asks from behind me. I turn round to see an elderly woman regarding me curiously. This is a common reaction to my work. What I am in fact doing is standing in a churchyard, shaking the branches of a tree over a large canvas. Various small items are raining down onto it - a clump of moss, a few leaves, a caterpillar, a cricket, several earwigs, Then - bingo. Three small jewels plop gently onto the white square, momentarily stunned. One is red, one orange and the last is black and shiny with discreet red markings. I am, of course, looking for ladybirds. When I explain this to the woman, her face breaks into an understanding smile. This, too, is a common reaction - everyone loves these little beetles.