Sorry-AllAntsLookAliketoMe Barbara Norfleet

The composition presents a striking juxtaposition of scale and perspective. A large insect, resembling a locust or cicada, dominates the foreground, perched atop a rough-hewn stone wall. Its body is rendered with meticulous detail, highlighting its segmented form and delicate wing structure. Beside it, significantly smaller in comparison, an ant appears to be investigating the larger creature.
The artist has chosen a dramatic sky as a backdrop – a turbulent expanse of deep reds and purples punctuated by swirling grey clouds. This intense coloration lends a sense of foreboding or impending change to the scene. The light source is unclear, but it seems to emanate from behind the clouds, casting long shadows across the stones and emphasizing the textures of both the insect and the wall.
The arrangement of elements suggests several possible interpretations. The sheer size difference between the cicada/locust and the ant could be read as a commentary on power dynamics or the insignificance of individual effort in the face of overwhelming forces. The ants proximity to the larger creature might symbolize an attempt at understanding, perhaps even defiance, against something seemingly insurmountable.
The stone wall itself acts as a visual barrier, separating the insect from the viewer and creating a sense of distance. Its rough texture contrasts with the smooth surfaces of the insects, further emphasizing their distinct natures. The overall effect is one of quiet tension – a moment suspended between observation and potential action, rendered in a style that blends realism with an unsettling dreamlike quality.

The framing border adds to the feeling of isolation and containment, as if the scene exists within its own self-contained world.