© 2015 Honor Marks

Arabica
oil on canvas
4x12"
$425

Although it looks like an image from outer space this painting is actually a native plant from the Aspergillus genus. Aspergillus are fungi that we come into contact with on a daily basis and have been used to make life saving medicines and to ferment beverages. This particular specimen was floating in a coffee cup that had been forgotten in my studio. The genus name is taken from the way it looks under a microscope- the shape resembles a tool used to sprinkle holy water, an aspergillium.