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Laughing Mantis Studio

Art inspired by biology, created by a biologist

  • The Art of Daniel D. Brown, Ph.D.
    • Woodworking
    • Pastel Pencil
    • Graphite Pencil
    • 3D Digital Art
    • 2D Digital Art
    • Paintings
    • Sculptures
    • Pet Portraits
    • Jewelry & Hangers
    • 3D Animation
    • Ocean Invasion Series
    • Science Art
  • Exhibitions
  • About

Oil & Acrylic Paintings

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  • Oil & Acrylic Paintings
When the Cows Come Home
I Hear You Have Crabs

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You can see my frequently-updated works-in-progress by following @laughingmantisstudio

laughingmantisstudio

Daniel D. Brown, Ph.D. | Breast Cancer Research Scientist
Woodworker/Artist
Husband to @tamarynart.
AKA: @danieldbrownphd
Pittsburgh, PA.
Woohoo! My bee artwork “Apis coronavirus” is f Woohoo! My bee artwork “Apis coronavirus” is featured in the latest issue of Scrollsaw Woodworking & Crafts (@scrollsawwoodworking)! This is a full tutorial of how I made the piece, and also includes a feature/interview! So go get yourself a copy of the Summer 2021 issue. I gather that you can find it essentially everywhere magazines like this are sold. Or of course online. Seriously, there are some cool projects in here and I’m looking forward to checking them out. I’m pretty stoked to also be in the same issue as Patrick from @paintedpatch! ... #scrollsaw #scrollsawart #woodworkingmagazines
Posting the Cad Bane vid separately here (IG is we Posting the Cad Bane vid separately here (IG is weird with video reach when it’s in a multi-photo post). Meet Cad Bane, one of the coolest bounty hunters in the Star Wars universe (voiced by Corey Burton). This piece is roughly based on an artwork by the extraordinarily talented @daztibbles (swipe). I’ve taken a lot of liberties with it - his level of detail is impossible to translate to wood with high fidelity. Most of the piece uses only the natural colors of the different wood species, with the exception of the face, eyes, gums, and tongue. I additionally added a bit of my neighbors weathered pine fence in an attempt to give it a slightly “Western” accent. As with almost all my Star Wars pieces, it will now adorn my tiny, dirty Star Wars-themed “shop bathroom”. 😂 I think we’re gonna need a bigger bathroom... Species used: regular and curly maple, mahogany, sapele, mesquite, padauk, walnut, Lombardy poplar, wenge, cherry, mulberry, holly, yew. ... #cadbane #starwarsfanart #theclonewars #starwars #maytheforcebewithyou #scrollsawart #woodintarsia #woodsculpture @craft_the_force
Meet Cad Bane, one of the coolest bounty hunters i Meet Cad Bane, one of the coolest bounty hunters in the Star Wars universe (voiced by Corey Burton). This piece is roughly based on an artwork by the extraordinarily talented @daztibbles (swipe). I’ve taken a lot of liberties with it - his level of detail is impossible to translate to wood with high fidelity. Most of the piece uses only the natural colors of the different wood species, with the exception of the face, eyes, gums, and tongue. I additionally added a bit of my neighbors weathered pine fence in an attempt to give it a slightly “Western” accent. As with almost all my Star Wars pieces, it will now adorn my tiny, dirty Star Wars-themed “shop bathroom”. 😂 I think we’re gonna need a bigger bathroom... Species used: regular and curly maple, mahogany, sapele, mesquite, padauk, walnut, Lombardy poplar, wenge, cherry, mulberry, holly, yew. ... #cadbane #starwarsfanart #theclonewars #starwars #maytheforcebewithyou #scrollsawart #woodintarsia #woodsculpture @craft_the_force
I do not have the words to describe our gratitude I do not have the words to describe our gratitude at this mind-blowing gift we just received from our friends Paul and Vicky Jasper (and the Copper Piglet and Henry; @copper_pig_fine_woodworking, @jasperfarms). This is one of Paul’s now-famous “Stadia” boxes, adorned with the almost literally unbelievable pyrography of our boy Bandit by Jennifer DiArenzo (@jendiarenzocreative). Seriously, if I couldn’t see her individual tool markings, I wouldn’t believe it wasn’t just printed onto the wood. Both @tam_a_ryn (@tamarynart) and I have dabbled in pyrography, so we both fully appreciate how absolutely phenomenal this work is. It’s on another level! The shading and tiny details are just mind-blowing. And of course Paul has whittled his art and crasftmanship in making these boxes down to a science. Even the brass handle is lathe-turned by hand. Thank you all so much! Every day is a little easier, but we’re still in the middle of the “random crying” phase, as every single thing reminds us of him. Our lives have revolved around our furry son for so long and there’s just a gaping empty hole in our lives. But I know that many of you get it. And I can’t thank you all enough for your support (too many comments and DMs to even respond to them all!). Swipe to the end to see how I envisioned the Jasper family portrait and the time we met them in Boston, making this IG friendship “real”. 😂 #petmemorial #pyrography #woodworking #petportrait
I don’t have the words to convey how much my hea I don’t have the words to convey how much my heart hurts saying goodbye to this boy. But here are the beautiful words of my wife @tam_a_ryn, which do a better job describing Bandit than I ever could. I’ve been his daddy for 8 yrs. but she’s been his momma for 14.5 - her entire adult life. “Dear Bandit, You are, and have been, the sweetest love of my life. You first came into my life when I was 19 and I haven’t lived my life as an adult without you here. I’m not quite sure what it looks like to live without you - one paw in front of the next, I suppose. You were the first little being who was unconditionally there for me. You were patiently there for me in college, through grad school, and as I started my career. Over the last year you took on the role as virtual therapy dog and brought smiles to people you never even met! You were by my side through the biggest loss of my life - when I was grieving and didn’t want anyone else around, I wanted you close by and by my side you stayed. Your love for me didn’t change as people came in and out of my life and as we moved 8 different times during your 14 years. You welcomed Daniel into your life and made us both feel loved and special every time we walked in the door whether we had been gone for 30 seconds or 3 hours. Even though you would choose to snuggle with your dad instead of me sometimes, it brought me so much joy to know how comforting you were to each other. You taught me how to let go and how to get outside and enjoy the sunshine even when it’s 5am. You made me smile and laugh every single day, and brought joy to everyone who met you. There was not a mean bone in your body and other dogs picked up on your “gentle big dog in a small dog body” attitude. You had the cutest nose and best smelling paws. You didn’t just cuddle, you leaned into the cuddle and always had to sleep on fluff on fluff on fluff. You deserved all the love and treats because you are the best babe I ever could’ve imagined. Thank you for all the beauty and laughter you brought into my life. I wish every second I could have you back in my arms. I love you.”
Shed is complete! I’ve waffled back and forth fo Shed is complete! I’ve waffled back and forth for like 2 years on whether to buy a pre-made shed/install, or just learn to build one myself. In the end, I decided that since we’ll be looking at it every day, I want to be able to look at it and know I built it myself. I knew almost nothing about building a structure before this project. Thank you @icreatables, the internet, and many of you followers for advice! It took about a week and a half, with most of my non-work hours put into it. I’m most proud of the fact that it came out both level and square! I honestly expected to find it more than a little out of whack by the time I got to the siding I intentionally went with a less permanent foundation than concrete (treated 4x6x8 rails on a gravel bed), which also includes a little space for critters to den beneath it. I imagine we’ll get birds nesting in the eaves as well since I did not install soffit - for both airflow and for the birds. I knew it was gonna be hard work. I did NOT know it was gonna kick a long-dormant minor & common heart condition into a slightly more frightening higher gear. Seriously, I had a few moments I was worried I might die and leave @tam_a_ryn with a half finished shed. 😂 Not really. Well, maybe a little. I was told by several followers to use a nail gun. But the Big Box stores had none available for rent. I couldn’t justify buying. And I needed the exercise. So it was hammer and nails all the way! I may have like 2 strong muscles now! Since I built it almost completely by myself, I have to thank a buttload of clamps for acting as a second set of hands. Also, this isn’t sponsored but I MUST shout out my new @dewalttough 20V cordless circular saw, which cut every board - that thing is an amazing workhorse. Thanks to my amazing wife for dealing with my extreme focus once I’ve begun a project (i.e. negligence of all else). And for helping hang some of the siding, painting, and color choice! Special thanks to @josephparente for roofing advice. He’s a such a great dude to know! Swipe to end for before shot. 😂 It was the only one I could quickly find. #diyshed #homeimprovement #handmade
I’m building a small 8x8 shed, which I’ve been I’m building a small 8x8 shed, which I’ve been showing in my stories. This is really just an excuse to post this picture. 😂 @tam_a_ryn helped throw some nails into the siding today. We desperately need to get our bikes out of the basement and I’d love to get the mower and weedeater (weedwhacker for you yankees) out of my shop. Full disclosure: I don’t really know what I’m doing in this build. I helped my dad and brother build our house when I was a kid, so I’ve a rough idea how it’s done but I don’t remember any of the details. I bought some $20 plans from @icreatables (they’re great and pretty thorough). I watched their vids and did a bunch of basic research and just started building. I figure a small shed is the perfect opportunity to learn some new skills. We’d thought about just buying one, but in the end I decided I want to be able to look at it and know I built it - even if it turns out ugly. It’s the same mindset behind all the furniture I’ve built for our house. It may not be the best or prettiest, but I at least know it will last and I made it myself.
I’m super stoked with how Cad Bane the bounty hu I’m super stoked with how Cad Bane the bounty hunter is coming along. Note: nothing is glued up here yet. I’ve used three different finishes to achieve this look: Arm-R-Seal polyurethane gloss for the shiny bits, satin for the less shiny bits, @odiesoil for the softer parts, and NO finish for the blue pieces. I like the softness of the face and hands. Traditionally, I use oil to finish soft fleshy bits. But that tends to yellow, which is unacceptable on top of this blue. And I don’t want any sheen to those pieces. I have no idea how the color will hold up with time, UV, and oxidation, but I’m gonna find out! But I’m loving the 4 levels of depth in surface appearance. My next step was to cut the background. However, @tamarynart just suggested I frame it as is with the background empty. That may look pretty rad, so I might try it. Again, I have to thank @daztibbles for creating such inspiring art (and encouraging this)! ... #scrollsaw #scrollsawart #starwars #starwarsfanart #cadbane #bountyhunter #maytheforcebewithyou
Still going on this Cad Bane piece (based on the a Still going on this Cad Bane piece (based on the artwork of @daztibbles). Most of the face and hat are roughly shaped. I basically squeeze in an hour or so after work and wait for another day. Gonna be slow going! A couple of notes: 1) those two tiny pieces of his gums are among the smallest pieces I’ve scrolled and 2) the actual cutting time for this one felt longer than many pieces I’ve done - it took about 16 hours total just cutting (and I haven’t even started on the background). 🤷‍♂️ Oh and I’ve had several people ask about woods used. Off the top of my head: maple (dyed), super curly maple, mahogany, sapele, mesquite, padauk, walnut (multiple shades), wenge, yew, mulberry, holly, and Lombardi poplar (ex-neighborhood tree). Note: this is NOT the same as “poplar” sold in American big box stores. That stuff isn’t even closely related to true poplars - it’s actually tulipwood. Drives me crazy. ... #scrollsawart #woodintarsia #starwars #starwarsfanart #cadbane #maytheforcebewithyou
Speaking of amazing women on International Women’s Day... This woman started a mental health private practice (LLC/S corp) on her own, got her insurance certifications, self-employed tax stuff figured out, and a million other business-related things I know jack about, leased and put together a therapy office, and filled up her therapy schedule - all on her own in the middle of a freaking pandemic. And this was all while still actually seeing clients full-time contracted at a different practice. My contribution: I built two shelves for her new office. 😂 On top of all that, she had to help deal with the incredibly challenging mental health issues of her clients (with great success), of which most of us have become quite familiar to varying degrees, do it all through telehealth video (which is a challenge in itself), and still make time to process all the craziness of the past year for herself as well, almost without ever being able to leave our house or see people in real life. Add to that dealing with (and feeding) a husband who has certainly had his share of mental ups, downs, and stressors throughout the pandemic. We have made an incredibly successful team through it all and I think become stronger for it. But the situation has still been a definite challenge. Of course as many of you know, we’ve also had to constantly deal with our rapidly deteriorating furry son Bandit on top of everything else. But through it all, she’s remained strong, positive, and always loving. The point of all this: she is a totally BADASS woman! @tamarynart @tam_a_ryn (PS I took this photo the day we got engaged). #internationalwomensday
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