Beth Henkes "Friend or Foe"

Beth Henkes (WA)

Friend or Foe
mixed media on wood
6" x 5"
ready to hang

"Friend or Foe" features the Amanita Muscaria (fly agaric), native to the UK and commonly seen in photos and stock artwork because it is aesthetically beautiful and associated with fairies and woodland. Featured in "Alice in Wonderland" illustrations, it's also known as a hallucinogenic and was traditionally used as an insecticide. However, it is also considered poisonous, causing psychotic episodes, and has resulted in death. Use extreme caution when foraging mushrooms! Many are beneficial but can masquerade as deadly varieties like the aptly named Deathcap (Amanita phalloides), Fool's conecap (Conocybe filaris), or Funeral Bell (Galerina marginata). 

Follow Beth on IG!