Bee Aware

This painting "Bee Aware"  is another in my 8x8 Encaustic Collage series.  The story behind this painting is my loves for Bees and anything connected to Bees.  I love their wax, because it is the main ingredient of my Encaustic art practice; their honey, because I love how much work is involved in creating this delicious substance; and their essence, their industrius nature and that they are polinators and help other plants thrive, not to mention their attraction to beautiful flowers.  So "awareness" of bees is of utmost importance to me.  There's another side to this "awareness."  I was once stung by a bee on vacation in Greece.  My hand swelled up twice its size.  I finally decided I needed to go to a doctor, but the only thing available in Greece was the Apothetik.  When I asked for some medicine for my bee sting, they did not speak English.  I took my finger, made a buzzing sound, landed on my swollen hand, and said OUCH!!  Immediately they recognized the problem and gave me some meds.  I am very "aware" a bee sting can do to me now.  But I still love the little buggers.