Details: 2010, acrylic on acid-free matboard, 81.5 x 50.5 cm, print available. You may also view a close-up of this artwork (1.63MB), or read an art tutorial commenting on my composition, design, and painting process.
Description: Nova the bearded dragon approached the altar gingerly, her sacrifice offered before her in hands that trembled with excitement. Pocomoco, Great Deity of the Snail tribes, was a powerful and malevolent presence indeed. Worshipped and feared by snails, and adored by lizards, the corpulent blue-tongue skink lounged upon his throne, casting a disdainful eye about him as he brought judgment upon any hapless mollusc that dared enter his temple.
Background information: Unlike many Australian species, the blue-tongue skink has probably benefited from European colonisation, which heralded the introduction of the exotic garden snail, undisputedly the lizard's favourite food. Their incredibly strong jaws make crunching snail shells a breeze, and no doubt many a snail cowers in fear upon sensing the ominous slither of approaching doom.
The bearded dragon is the world's most popular pet reptile, and like the blue-tongue, also native to Australia. Both taxa are found, in multiple varieties, colours and patterns, across the country. However, captive breeding of the bearded dragon, particularly in the United States, has produced numerous colourations not present in wild populations.
Note: Know a bit about gastropod biology? Test your skills and try to find what's so special about Nova's offering!
|
