The text and paintings on The Trowbridge Chronicles are taken from the illustrated journal of Violet Trowbridge, a shrew that once lived in a village deep in the Olympic Rain Forest. Each new post will represent a portion of Mrs. Trowbridge’s journal.

Monday, May 15, 2006

LADYBUG ANGELS



Mrs. Trowbridge titled this night painting "Lost on a Limb". I've observed from reading Mrs. T's journal in its entirety that the small creatures of the rain forest were highly superstitious. Like the early Greeks and Romans, they took their mythical creatures very seriously. Did you notice that the ladybug in the sketch had been to Madam Lucy's Ladybug Tattoo Parlor? The "heart" design on the back center of the shell became the most popular design to be worn by the ladybugs at that time.

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love it! The guardian angel bug looks worried, and for some reason the little orange bug just looks scrumptions. The heart is a nice touch.

valerie walsh said...

this illustration is just glowing with beauty!!! the colours are perfection, the idea is wonderful and the heart is sweet!

Radha a.k.a Ratlion said...

Clever idea and wnderful execution...love it (as always)! :)

Debra Cooper said...

Love the ladybug angel, hovering so perfectly above the one its to watch over.

This story helps to understand the little buggers. When the weather warms, ladybugs seem to swarm around the inside of my basement window where my studio is and periodically they grace my desktop and papers with their curiosity. I only hope they too will "join the celestial legions of ladybug guardian angels", but then I have to vaccumn them up. :0)

TheTart said...

Ladybug myths, be still my Tarty heart. Just so romantic ... natch! Your work as an artist & writer is wonderful. Carry on. ; )

Big smooch & ladybug hug,
The Tart

Willie Baronet said...

Ah the ladybug angel, very nice. I'm sure that the roach is the devil, right? :-)

Anonymous said...

Veeery intersting, Bron. I had no idea that ladybugs concerned themselves with such things as morality and the after-life. Which begs the question...What IS their code of ethics? And I'm curious as to when they cross the ethical line to being 'bad' or 'evil' bugs. And is there any redemption? A works-righteousness system, huh? Ohhhh...now my head hurts. Too much superfluous thinking... : )

Doug said...

Another nice one, Bron!

... and I think Paula will be looking for a ladybug church to sketch in this Sunday... :o)

Amy Zaleski said...

Oh, I just love this one! It's sweet and mysterious at the same time!

Unknown said...

Another stunning edition to the story Bron.
Love the illo of the ladybugs and the tatoo heart is to die for. ;-) I see those beady red eyes.

Anonymous said...

Jonesy: You're silly!

Bron: It's amazing how well you weave these IF topics into your TC. Quite the challenge!

Unknown said...

I was wondering how you were going to illustrate this and fit it into the story - and you made it work. Wow! I love the idea that ladybugs have their own myths like the Greeks and Romans. Another wonderful illustration.

carla said...

This is delightful! I so enjoy entering Mrs. T's world...things are magical there:>

Kim de Young said...

I love your attention to detail, on the story page having the lady bug and her ghostly angel hovering. Wonderful!

Michael O'Connell said...

it's always a wonderful journey… thanks… great work as usual…

Roz Foster said...

Ha! Ha! Very cute. Ooo, I'd love to see the black lady bug, too. The idea of a dark, demony lady bug is just tantalizing....

Kumikob said...

It's always great fun to read the stories!! Love the expression on the ladybug angel's face. Is she looking at the tattoo??

Ginger*:) said...

I have heard it on good authority, that some ladybugs BITE!
They must be the black devils that inhabit the darkeness of the forest night.

Wonderful image, Bron!

Regina said...

Love the story and the little heart tattoo!

Ellen said...

This is very awesome work!

Erin said...

Such a beautiful illustration :) It's like a childrens book illo.

TXArtcGal said...

What another wonderful entry into the wondeful mysterious world you have created! Fantastic illustration as always! I love your creativity!

Gabrielle said...

Oh my, Oh My, Dear Violet! I am so grateful I am not a ladybug! You must stop finding these worrisome books!

I noticed on the window sills in our previously standing barn some dearly departed ladybugs and their shells had faded in the sunlight to the same colour as Smarties (I'm canadian) that have had all the colour sucked off them. Hmmm.

Your whole blog is totally delicious, it must be a fantastic world to escape into and so worthwhile, your talent leaves me awestruck.

JoaquĆ­n Aldeguer said...

All your work is fantastic...and this one isn't an exception!!!

Love your illos and...I'd like to say something more interesting than this but...I can't describe with human words all that your work means to me, so:

BGRRRRWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAKKK!!!!!!

thanks.

AscenderRisesAbove said...

I really enjoy the style of your blog.. the font on the pages; the little illustrations in book form. I bet you could print these pages out and have a ready made book to send to publishers or to gift.

Pickledog said...

What a fortunate ladybug to have a guardian angel in such spooky darkness. Another fabulous entry to The Trowbridge Chronicles. : )

Twisselman said...

Another great post... both story and illustration. Very rich in detail... both.

Anonymous said...

What a great imagination you have! I love your work!

tiffini elektra x said...

Oh this I love reading more from Mrs. T's journal. Madam Lucy's Tattoo Parlor - amazing! Beautiful illustration - wonderful little angel and black ladybugs in the distance. The expression on the angel ladybug is so sweet.

TheTart said...

Come on over & see your 10 'needs', natch!

Smooch to Violet & the creatures,
The Tart
; )

Anonymous said...

Great information! I’ve been looking for something like this for a while now. Thanks!

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