Alas, the end of another challenge that took about 2 months to complete. The imaginary still-life is complete. This was quite a task and my 1st attempt at a realism or hyper-realism in a surrealism setting as this place and the objects joined here are all part of the Metamorphosis Project that I’ve been working on for the last 3 years and counting. The objects in this image are the different stages, in order, of an Altas Beetle’s life cycle. These stages are also highly symbolic to me. I’ve created my own symbology that says they represent change and the cycle of life. The stages we undertake as humans are a lot like these, although they are mental changes, not so physical. But here, we have it all. The rejuvenation and decay. The beautiful and the disgusting. All in one, all is life.