Crystal the Forest Fairy
“Nuez’s keen eye and succulent colours infuse his insects with a fragile shimmering beauty that deflects much of the horror”
Hour magazineThe Glam Bugs
When I look at bugs magnified through my photographic lens, they become larger than life icons – sometimes appearing as a heroic figure in an epic drama, or a superstar adored by millions; a tragic victim in a cruel world, or a powerful evil villain.
I love glorifying the least among us. As someone with periodic bouts of social anxiety, I find myself fantasizing that I am the opposite. And so my little bugs embrace this duality, where at once they are lowly, irrelevant creatures, and at the same time, compelling figures in the alternate universe I’ve created for them.
And I enjoy seeing them adopting simple poses, or actions, as though they are playing to the camera. I want to glamorize them, and give them an ambiguous but exciting allure.
I prefer using the most mundane and readily available bugs; those found dead and dusty in basements, on windowsills, and sidewalks. Some of my bugs end up in a gritty burial ground, while others are given a rather more glamorous send-off, with all the pomp and glitter of Hollywood.
I try to see their faces and look into their eyes. Perhaps their expressions contain echoes of untold epic tales. Or, perhaps, in the end, each of them is simply a dead bug, as the cycle of life completes another turn.
To create the images in this theatrical series, I begin with a concept, making sketches and fleshing out the character I want to create. I start building sets that can range in size from a few square inches to a few square feet. Then I search for the perfect bug to play my assigned role. Once the “star” is discovered, I position it in a pose using paper tweezers. The lighting set-ups can be complex – I use cards and flags to create tiny shafts of light. When the bug is ready for their close-up, the final image is shot.
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FINISHES
Our unique and vibrant photographs will add depth and stunning color to any home, office or public space. They are offered in two main finishes1. Metal float mount
Our Metal prints have a magical luminescence. Their vibrant, saturated colors jump off the wall, and will last for generations. They are created by infusing dyes directly into specially coated aluminum sheets making them incredibly durable and scratch resistant. The finished piece is float mounted, so they float one inch off the wall.2. Archival prints
We print on premium quality Sunset eSatin paper, using archival Ultrachrome inks for incredible endurance and color saturation. These prints will last for generations.11x14 and 16x20 sizes are available with or without a window mat. If you are unsure which is best for you, feel free to contact us. Most clients seem to purchase without the window mat.
Prints larger than 16X20 are available as full-frame prints, without a white border or a window mat. If you want a white border, just let us know!
CUSTOM SIZES
If you have a specific size requirement, that's no problem! Maybe the perfect size is somewhere between two of the sizes in the drop down list. In that case, the price would be the proportional difference. We’ve also stretched and cropped pieces for customers to fit precise spaces. Give us the dimensions and we'll email you image options for you to choose from. There is no charge for the extra labor in custom sizing pieces.LIMITED EDITIONS
Metal prints in the following sizes include a Certificate of Authenticity, which will be mailed to you:48X65 or 48X72: edition of 15
43X57 or 40X60: edition of 25
32X40 or 30X45: edition of 50
24X30 or 22X33: edition of 100
16X20 or 16X24: edition of 200
GUARANTEE
We want you to be happy with your art purchase. If a piece arrives damaged or defective, please contact us and a replacement will be shipped. All of my finished pieces are created using the highest quality archival processes. They come with a lifetime guarantee against fading or color shift.