The Microbiology Landscapes Series is a set of small square paintings, in tribute to microscope slides, illustrating ideas of very small and very powerful interiors of our bodies.
XX Chromosomes — All humans are unified in having at least one X chromosome structure to our genes; women have the double XX and men XY. Catalogues of our DNA and repositories of who we are, chromosomes are also recognizable shapes, resonating through our symbols and alphabet in a green burst of life.
Multiply — The multiplication of cells is our growth and healing, our regeneration. We are made up of 50 to 100 trillion cells, constantly dying and regenerating and recycling. This miraculous growth can go wrong in cancers and other disorders, causing such suffering.
Cell Interior — In imagining inside a human cell, miniscule cities of genetic information and clouds of cytoplasm swirl in bright colors. The nucleus, mitochondria, and other organelles float like jewels. Membranes pulse into bubble-like rotund forms.
Immune Activation — This interior landscape takes inspiration from the physical process and photography of a helper T-cell, one of the mighty characters of our immune system. It is releasing a chemical messenger protein to alert other immune cells of danger, and beginning the hunt down of a perceived threat.
Mitosis is the process in which a cell divides into two daughter cells, each getting half the cytoplasm of the nucleus and a set of identical DNA. I was inspired by looking at microphotography of the actual event, the stretching and clumping and multiplying.
Astrocytes are brain cells with starburst-like, long, expanding connections, named so because they reminded people of stars. They help structure the brain and spinal cord, are present in the retina and optic nerves, are involved with the chemical and neurotransmitter reactions which form our flashing thoughts.... and are not completely understood.
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