"Ladybirds, to me, are both a symbol of childhood wonder and a reassuring presence in the garden. We are all familiar with ladybirds and they have lots of different, positive interpretations associated with them. Having spent more time observing them this Spring, with my young daughter, I have noticed how different they are from each other. They vary enormously in colour and pattern but they all appear like shiny little jewels hidden amongst the leaves. I wanted to create a series of ladybird paintings that were just as perfectly small and decorative as the insects themselves. These tiny paintings are designed specifically to add a flash of red to a wall, just like the ladybirds do in the garden. I wanted them to be small enough that the viewer must lean in and observe the ladybird closely, just as we do outdoors" - Ollie Tuck.

Ladybird No. 11 carries a sense of ascent, the small figure appearing to climb steadily upward across the gold leaf ground. Positioned slightly off-centre, the ladybird’s deep burgundy-red shell is punctuated by dark, irregular markings that echo the surrounding black frame. This pairing of frame and subject creates a strong visual harmony: the black moulding seems to extend the insect’s delicate legs, spots and shadowed contours outward into the composition itself. Against the softly luminous gold, these darker tones feel especially pronounced, giving the miniature a subtle drama and sculptural presence. Though modest in scale, the work possesses a surprising sense of movement and determination, as if the ladybird is quietly making her way beyond the confines of the picture plane.