RBerman's Loincloths-R-Us :: Novel Illustrations

Honeycomb (2021) page 323 'The Moth Wars'

Artist: Charles Vess (Painter)

4 Comments - 423 Views - 6 Likes

Honeycomb (2021) page 323 'The Moth Wars' Comic Art

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Artwork Details

Title:	Honeycomb (2021) page 323 'The Moth Wars'
Artist:	Charles Vess (Painter)
Media Type:	Paint - Watercolor
Art Type:	Interior Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	423
Likes on CAF:	6 7
Comments:	4
Added to Site:	10/2/2023
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Joanne Harris' novel Honeycomb is a marvelous "adult fairy tale." It has a hundred short chapters, mostly concerned with the exploits of a faerie king who gradually learns to use his powers for good, not just his own amusement. Along the way, Harris drops in many wry allegories about the realities of life as an author. Numerous Vess illustrations adorn this book, both paintings and ink drawings.

Chapter 75, "The Moth Wars," explains how the kindreds of moths and butterflies came to be estranged. The Moth King and Butterfly Queen do not pay sufficient attention to their son, the Clearwing Prince. He sneaks into the workshop of his tutor, the Spider Moth, and finds a loom of spider-silk that is a gateway to other worlds. He climbs into the loom and disappears. The panicked Spider Moth follows in hopes of finding him. The King and Queen enter the empty studio separately and realize what has happened:

"This is your fault!" he told her. "If you had taken care of the boy instead of spending all your days in dancing and frivolity..."

The Queen was angry. "How dare you!" she said. "If only you had paid more attention to him, instead of to your dusty old books..."

In the ensuing quarrel, the loom is destroyed, and with it, their chance of rescuing their son. This leads to enmity between Butterfly-kind and Moth-kind. This piece was shown and discussed in my interview with Bill Cox for Comic Arts LIVE on August 14, 2023.

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About the Owner

	R Berman ( 2 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	January 2018
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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David Macpherson
Member Since 2020

1 - Posted on 10/2/2023

absolutely beautiful

John C
Member Since 2014

1 - Posted on 10/2/2023

Not like there is anything wrong with dusty old books. :)

Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 10/2/2023

A tangled web in the tapestry of folklore. Vess' artistry weaves the lines and colors across time and dimensions!

Rick W
Member Since 2017

1 - Posted on 10/3/2023

Amazing!

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