The tiny humble mason bee does not get the love and respect it deserves. It's a lovely little pollinator that, unlike its more popular cousin the honeybee, lives a solitary existence. It also doesn't sting and, if you hang it a sweet little home, it's an excellent neighbor in your backyard. I hand tinted this image with some soft gouache that has mica powder in it for a golden sheen in the light to give this magical bee the aura of exultation it deserves. Also, getting that sheer look to the wings where they overlap the body was tricky but I think I pulled it off. It was worth the eye strain! The image size is 10" x 12" (25 cm x 30 cm) on acid-free BFK Rives cotton rag paper that is 14" x 16" (35.5 cm x 40.5 cm).