Wheel Bug of Fortune

This painting is of a Wheel Bug, the only species of assassin bug native to North America. They're actually pretty cute in their own weird little way. That beak makes him look a little like Gonzo, and the wheel on his back makes him look prehistoric, almost like a tiny stegosaurus.

Wheel Bugs are generally calm, shy, and slow-moving. They're not aggressive toward humans and will usually try to hide rather than attack. But don't let that adorable face fool you. If you do manage to get bitten, it's an experience you definitely don't want. Their bite is notoriously painful.

And maybe that's part of the dichotomy that drew me to painting this little guy.

The wheel on his back reminds me of the Wheel of Fortune. Life isn't always good or bad. Sometimes you're up and sometimes you're down. Sometimes you're moving forward so fast you can barely keep up, and sometimes it feels like you're moving so slowly you'll never make any progress. The only thing you can count on is that it won't be the same forever.

The wheel keeps on turning.